Terry Francona's harsh comments puts Reds execs in spotlight after Eugenio Suárez decision

Prior to the Cincinnati Reds series opener against the Chicago Cubs on Friday afternoon, Terry Francona had a sharp statement directed at whoever leaked the information about the team's decision to place third baseman Eugenio Suárez and outfielder TJ Friedl on outright waivers.

"It’s supposed to be confidential. For people that don’t keep it confidential, shame on them. You’re in a spot of leadership for whatever organization. You need to respect that. When it’s not respected, it pisses me off," Francona told Cincinnati reporter Charlie Goldsmith.

To be clear, no one should be upset at Ken Rosenthal for reporting the news. That's his job. But whoever informed The Athletic's MLB insider certainly overstepped their bounds, and in that case, Francona has every right to be upset. The question then becomes whether he should be mad at someone within the Reds organization or someone from the outside.

If this was another exec from an opposing team feeding information to Rosenthal, that kind of stuff happens. It shouldn't, but it does. However, if the leak came from within the Reds organization, then you've got a Judas in your midst.

Terry Francona's comments become more troublesome if the leak came from the Reds' front office

For those unfamiliar with the process, outright waivers are supposed to be kept strictly confidential until a transaction is complete. When a player is placed on waivers, opposing clubs have 48 hours to submit a claim. If no claim is made, the player(s) remains with his existing organization.

Neither Suárez nor Friedl were claimed during that 48-hour window, and both players suited up for Friday's game against the Cubs. Nevertheless, there's little doubt that these leaked reports have found their way into the clubhouse, and both players will surely be asked about their feelings surrounding the Reds' decision to place them on outright waivers this week.

Unfortunately, there's little regard for confidentially and privacy nowadays, and the players in the Reds clubhouse found that out the hard way. If this came from outside the organization, there's little Tito can do to right the wrong. But if it was from within, that's just the latest in a long line of foolish things the Reds front office has done this season.

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