(12-06-2019, 10:59 AM)fredtoast Wrote: Yeah!  Reds actually finished higher than 4th place 7 years ago!!!!  That was one of three winning seasons in 13 since Castellini took over.

Woot! Woot!

(12-06-2019, 11:37 AM)ochocincos Wrote: There are pros and cons to how the Reds operate (and MLB in general for that matter).
Yes, the Reds are more willing to go get guys in FA that are outside the organization. That brings more excitement to the (start of the) season than a typical Bengals offseason in regards to FA.
However, the Reds have statistically been worse than the Bengals over the past decade, and both franchises have no postseason advancement in this millenium.
Also, the Reds don't have to operate within a salary cap whereas the Bengals do.
The Bengals have had more consistent years whereas the Reds have had more up and down years.
Last, the Reds' bad farm system is what caused them to have to go out and "get the pitching" and also go get guys like Puig and Moustakas. Their home-grown talent has had some good players but not great talent to avoid using FA.
Senzel, Winker, Barnhart, and Ervin have all had their moments but none are great (yet). Aquino might turn into an elite OF but he's not even played a full season yet. Suarez and Castillo have developed into stars but they were trades. They weren't drafted by the Reds.

So basically what this boils down to is hope. When the Reds bring in some outside talent, it brings more optimism than a typical Bengals offseason. That may draw interest at the beginning of a season but winning keeps the interest through the whole season.

(12-06-2019, 11:07 AM)spazz70 Wrote: Fred, Fred, Fred...At least he tries and puts money into a truly "small market" team....This recent signing is equal to the last 30 FA signings for the Bengals.....   Castellini wants to win and puts "his" money into trying to do so....MB will not even spend the NFL money and try

(12-06-2019, 11:07 AM)spazz70 Wrote: Fred, Fred, Fred...At least he tries and puts money into a truly "small market" team....This recent signing is equal to the last 30 FA signings for the Bengals.....   Castellini wants to win and puts "his" money into trying to do so....MB will not even spend the NFL money and try

(12-06-2019, 12:28 PM)THE PISTONS Wrote: So overpaying 1 C Tier free agent signing makes up for 13 years of ineptness? Your bar is low. Moustakis is a career .252 hitter. You just recognize his name. He batted .254 last year. I doubt this guy makes them a World Series contender.

Note: IF the Bengals go out and sign 1 C tier free agent...don't be expecting a Super Bowl.

Yes - The Reds paid 4 years and $64 million for a .252 hitter.

(12-06-2019, 10:48 AM)spazz70 Wrote: That's all

(12-06-2019, 11:37 AM)ochocincos Wrote: There are pros and cons to how the Reds operate (and MLB in general for that matter).
Yes, the Reds are more willing to go get guys in FA that are outside the organization. That brings more excitement to the (start of the) season than a typical Bengals offseason in regards to FA.
However, the Reds have statistically been worse than the Bengals over the past decade, and both franchises have no postseason advancement in this millenium.
Also, the Reds don't have to operate within a salary cap whereas the Bengals do.
The Bengals have had more consistent years whereas the Reds have had more up and down years.
Last, the Reds' bad farm system is what caused them to have to go out and "get the pitching" and also go get guys like Puig and Moustakas. Their home-grown talent has had some good players but not great talent to avoid using FA.
Senzel, Winker, Barnhart, and Ervin have all had their moments but none are great (yet). Aquino might turn into an elite OF but he's not even played a full season yet. Suarez and Castillo have developed into stars but they were trades. They weren't drafted by the Reds.

So basically what this boils down to is hope. When the Reds bring in some outside talent, it brings more optimism than a typical Bengals offseason. That may draw interest at the beginning of a season but winning keeps the interest through the whole season.

(12-06-2019, 11:37 AM)ochocincos Wrote: There are pros and cons to how the Reds operate (and MLB in general for that matter).
Yes, the Reds are more willing to go get guys in FA that are outside the organization. That brings more excitement to the (start of the) season than a typical Bengals offseason in regards to FA.
However, the Reds have statistically been worse than the Bengals over the past decade, and both franchises have no postseason advancement in this millenium.
Also, the Reds don't have to operate within a salary cap whereas the Bengals do.
The Bengals have had more consistent years whereas the Reds have had more up and down years.
Last, the Reds' bad farm system is what caused them to have to go out and "get the pitching" and also go get guys like Puig and Moustakas. Their home-grown talent has had some good players but not great talent to avoid using FA.
Senzel, Winker, Barnhart, and Ervin have all had their moments but none are great (yet). Aquino might turn into an elite OF but he's not even played a full season yet. Suarez and Castillo have developed into stars but they were trades. They weren't drafted by the Reds.

So basically what this boils down to is hope. When the Reds bring in some outside talent, it brings more optimism than a typical Bengals offseason. That may draw interest at the beginning of a season but winning keeps the interest through the whole season.

(12-06-2019, 11:50 AM)fredtoast Wrote: Mike Brown does spend money.  He does try.  

Over the last 15 years the Bengals are in the top half of the league in wins and top 10 in playoff seasons.  To claim he accomplished that without trying is absurd.  

And I prefer having a winning season over "hope".

(12-06-2019, 01:08 PM)spazz70 Wrote: Very good points..... First off, yep, no salary cap....IMHO the Bengals knew that had to spend money this off season according to the 2011 salary cap CBA guidelines thus the reason for the Hart contract and the GIO contract...they had to spend the money this year!!.....they did not go out and sign one FA that was available/good/average/worth a crap.

Small market teams always have "their year" that is how it is set up...Just like in the NCAAB tourney...a mid major in the final four and such....That is what they have to do....put a team together over a few years and make a run at it for one or two years.

(12-06-2019, 11:50 AM)fredtoast Wrote: Mike Brown does spend money.  He does try.  

Over the last 15 years the Bengals are in the top half of the league in wins and top 10 in playoff seasons.  To claim he accomplished that without trying is absurd.  

And I prefer having a winning season over "hope".

(12-06-2019, 01:22 PM)spazz70 Wrote: When has Mike Brown spent/brought in/signed a top FA in the last 15 years?  i am not arguing about winning and losing.