2012 Reds Spring Training: A Transaction Not Done

There is little doubt that the Cincinnati Reds made waves across the baseball world with all the off-season transactions they made. There were the two trades to acquire Mat Latos and Sean Marshall. You also had the free agent signings of closer Ryan Madson and outfielder Ryan Ludwick.

There were the minor league deals with Jeff Francis and Willie Harris. The snaring of Cincy product Andrew Brackman and former Indians pitcher Josh Judy to throw into the mix.

The biggest splash might be the move they haven’t made…the extension of manager Dusty Baker. There has been speculation about the status of Baker. The most prominent is that the Reds must win, and win a lot, in 2012 for Baker to see such an extension.

And you can’t blame owner Bob Castellini and/or GM Walt Jocketty for not putting their cards on the table. They want to see what this team is capable of doing. There are the obvious expectations placed on this team considering the amount of changes made to the roster.

What can we glean from this? Not a whole lot, but I have a sense that it might be Castellini, not Jocketty, who makes the call on this matter.

We haven’t heard or read substantial reports about the relationship between Dusty and Walt. There was a “report” last season that the two were butting heads over playing time, but not much else. What may be a bitter pill for Baker is that Walt received his extension while Dusty is still in limbo.

There is a potential danger in not making a decision on Baker (at least publicly) previous to the start of the season.

That danger? Maybe the players will tune Baker out especially if the 2012 Reds see the season commence with little success. A lame duck is rarely, if ever, a positive sign, but you seriously have to wonder in this instance. Could it be a good thing?

Possibly. It will leave Baker with something to prove both as a leader and as a manager. It would also see how the team, a nice mix of veterans, stars and young players, will respond to such. Considering the belief that the Reds are in an “all-in” mode (if you personally believe such), this could create the season’s biggest storyline.

If you have read John Fay’s column on the five factors for the Reds and their 2012 season, you will see that #5 is in regards to Baker’s status. What may cloud the situation is the fact that Baker does not want to have a conversation about the matter. I’m sure you won’t get a whole lot more from either Catellini or Jocketty either. This fits into the whole concept that the Reds are public about internal matters.

I have been a Dusty apologist in the past, but with that being said, I do find 2012 a pivotal season for the Baker regime.

The common knowledge is that the older and veteran players love Baker. He is more apt to play those players rather than the youngsters. A proven track record means much to Baker. This season will present him with obstacles in this area. He has a shortstop in Zack Cozart which will test his mettle. Having Paul Janish and Wilson Valdez do provide Dusty another option, albeit a little light in the offense.

Fay refers to this in his column, too.

Same for the left field situation. There’s Ludwick and fan fave Chris Heisey. This is another point which Fay brings to our attention. Signs point to Ludwick receiving the preferential treatment, but Heisey could push the veteran despite having a rather substandard spring. Fay also has this as a point.

You could also sate the same for the catching position with Ryan Hanigan and Devin Mesoraco, but this situation is likely to be the least toxic of the three I have mentioned. Both Hani and Mes know they will most likely have specific roles within the team’s framework.

I have no inside knowledge of what could materialize on this front, but I asked myself this…Do I believe Baker should be back?

I agree with the majority here. Show us something other than a first-round playoff sweep.

Then, let the front office and ownership see what cards they hold. At that time, it might be the best hand at the table.

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