Jeff Brantley exposes front office failure that has Reds fans fuming

Cincinnati Reds radio broadcaster Jeff Brantley is never one to mince words, and he offered up an opinion during Tuesday's game against Toronto Blue Jays that's sure to rile up the fan base. Brantley's comments centered around Reds' starter Chase Burns who threw a live bullpen session prior to Cincinnati's game against Toronto.

"Anybody that saw Chase Burns throw to Reds hitters today would've thought to themselves, what are the Reds waiting on? I realize that he's a No. 1 pick and he's got a trillion dollar arm, I get it," Brantley said. "But there are a lot of folks that would tell you, that a lot of organizations would've activated him today."

The Reds, of course, lost that game 12-9, in part because Nick Lodolo was scratched due to an illness. Cincinnati chose Scott Barlow to act as the opener in the first inning, and the right-hander gave up a leadoff homer and bases-clearing double before exiting. The Reds were down 4-0 before they even swung the bat.

Jeff Brantley exposes front office failure that has Reds fans fuming

Should the Reds have activated Burns before the game and allowed the fireballer to pitch in a handful of innings versus the Blue Jays? Brantley certainly believed as much, though there's certainly reason to think the Reds' decision to hold off on activating the rookie — who's on an innings-limit to begin with — was the correct one.

But Brantley's stance underscores a deeper problem that has Reds fans upset with Nick Krall and the front office. There's a complete lack of urgency on the part of the organization as a whole despite the fact they've been in the thick of the playoff race all season long.

The Reds' trade deadline was, for all intents a purposes, a dud. Sure, Cincinnati's received tremendous (and unexpected) contributions from Ke'Bryan Hayes. Thought to be a defensive wizard, Hayes has also been quite valuable in the batters' box as well. But the Reds received average reviews for their half-hearted attempt to improve the roster at the July 31 deadline.

Cincinnati's front office then dragged their feet for weeks — likely just to keep Santiago Espinal on the active roster — until finally calling up top prospect Sal Stewart on September 1 despite the obvious lack of offensive production.

This is the same song, seventh verse for an organization that hasn't won a playoff series since 1995. Brantley wasn't trying to throw shade at the Krall and Co., but his words conveyed a point that several Reds fans have been screaming about for years. The Reds have no sense of urgency, and their ultra-conservative approach with Burns' rehab is just the latest example.

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