By Scott

August 17, 2009 2:15 PM | Link to this

@NYCTim: Yeah I do know what I’m talking about. The players from 1996-2001 were picked in trades or through their system, but I was mentioning the current Yankees where their players are (for the most part) paid for if not through their system. Yes they have 3 HoF players they developed, but most of their players as of late seem to be purchased. Swisher is the only regular I can think of atm that was aquired through a trade before the ‘09 season. My point is you can’t have it both ways. You can’t want the team to Marge it up and only focus on the Reds at the expense of drafting/developing, yet at the same time you can’t focus solely on the draft. We are impatient people, and that’s the real shame in all of this.

By NYCTim

August 16, 2009 4:27 PM | Link to this

And I almost forgot to say. Hal McCoy is The Man. You people should consider yourselves fortunate to have such an outstanding writer covering your team.

By NYCTim

August 16, 2009 4:24 PM | Link to this

Scott, you are a typical myopic fan who doesn’t know a damn thing about what you say. The Yankee teams in the most recent dynasty (1996-2001) were homegrown and acquired in trades, not purchased. Paul O’Neill, Tino Martinez and Scott Brosius — all core players on that team — were acquired via trade. You might remember O’Neill. Lou Piniella couldn’t wait to run him out of Cincinnati. Thanks for letting us have him. He was the glue for those championship teams. Relievers Jeff Nelson and Mike Stanton were also acquired in trades. But here is a list of HOMEGROWN players on that team (and I am likely forgetting a couple) — Derek Jeter, Jorge Posada, Mariano Rivera, Bernie Williams, Andy Pettitte. Shane Spencer had some key hits and also had the throw that produced the infamous Jeter backhand flip to Posada play that nailed Jeremy Giambi at the plate against Oakland. So the Yankees DEVELOPED AND PRODUCED three All-Stars, the greatest closer of all-time and a guy who has been an outstanding playoff pitcher. But, yeah, you keep on spouting that ill-informed crap about how they buy all of their players like so many other idiots who don’t know a fastball from a curve and just want to gripe about how “unfair” the system is. And while you’re at it, check the Reds roster. How many homegrown players do THEY have? You’ll see it’s not easy to keep everyone you draft. Remember, Mike Lowell was a Yankees farmhand when he started his career. And, Reds fans, lay off Homer Bailey. He’s still a kid. Look what has happened with Phil Hughes this season for the Yankees and give the kid some time to learn how to be a Major League pitcher. Not everyone is Tom Seaver right out of the gate.

By brian

August 16, 2009 1:46 PM | Link to this

No bribes here…FYI it’s called a signing bonus and they have been around as long as baseball…

By Steven Ross

August 16, 2009 12:58 PM | Link to this

I wish these kids well but reality screams they’re both closer to arm problems now that the Reds have them under their razor sharp tutledge and pitching acumen.

By Scott

August 16, 2009 8:45 AM | Link to this

The only way this organization is going to get better is to sign quality talent from the draft. To be negative towards the signing of these two is counterproductive to your (the readers comments) arguments about how this organization needs to get better. Why not go watch the Yankees who (mostly) purchase players via free agency as opposed to develop talent? You can’t scream for the team to get better then complain when they try to do so the right way (through the draft).

By BrarHopper

August 16, 2009 2:40 AM | Link to this

The Reds are so horrible they have to bribe kids to sign with them. Why would ANY talented youngster want to join this pathetic sick trash organization? Horrid from the top down. Look at the owner, GM, mgr, coaches, they all s-u-c-k, even their minor league teams are lame.

By max

August 16, 2009 1:52 AM | Link to this

I am worried. With two more minor league pitchers is there going to be room down there for Cueotto?

By nyc

August 15, 2009 10:20 PM | Link to this

i feel sorry for those kids…having to be anywhere near the reds….they stink…so does their organization…their season is always over by may……