Former Reds GM Wayne Krivsky- who was recently fleeced by Reds’ owner Bob Castellini when Castellini hooked up his friend Walt Jocketty with the Reds GM job - decided to clear the air on some of the Reds recent moves in a conversation with the Dayton Daily News’ Hal McCoy:

• On the hiring of Dusty Baker (who seems poised to ruin the young arms of the talented Cincy pitching staff): Krivsky takes the credit (I would call it blame) for this (horrendous) choice.  He says he told Castellini, “Dusty Baker is my man and he is the guy for the job.  It was my recommendation and Bob agreed.”
• On the Josh Hamilton for Edison Volquez trade and the signing of Josh Fogg: Krivsky’s response led me to believe he was forced into both of these moves by Castellini.  He says, “When I’m told before the season that I better win, I’m going to get all the pitching I can get.  Fogg was a $100,000 gamble, what we would pay him if he didn’t make the team.  He made it so it cost $1.5 million and I still think it’s a good deal.  When Homer Bailey didn’t make the team and Matt Belisle was injured, who did we have for our fifth starting spot?  Nobody.  That’s where Fogg fit in. He made $3.7 million from the Rockies last year.”
• On the Corey Patterson signing:  “I was told to get him signed, whatever it takes.” (Patterson signed for $3 million).  Sounds like Old Wayne was in favor of a Ryan Freel/Jay Bruce tandem until Bruce won the job.  And why wouldn’t he be?  Soon enough, Jay Bruce is going to explode onto the scene and now Walt Jocketty will get all the credit.  By the way, I bet Dusty Baker had a lot of influence on the Patterson inking. 
• On getting fleeced:  “If you haven’t had at least one bad contract or made one bad decision, then you haven’t been a general manager.”  I feel for you, Mr. Krivsky, as I think you got a raw deal.  But you certainly did get fleeced a few times.  Enjoy your wool sweater, and best of luck in the job search!

Filed under: Cincinnati Reds