CINCINNATI (AP) -Dear fans: Please be patient.
In a letter sent this week, the Cincinnati Reds tried to explain why they traded stars Ken Griffey Jr. and Adam Dunn, and asked for more time in rebuilding the team.
"By executing these inevitable changes now, we secured more players as part of our focus towards building a deeper, stronger inventory of young talent," read the letter sent to fans by e-mail and posted on the team Web site.
Signed by Reds owner Bob Castellini and general manager Walt Jocketty, the letter also asks fans for "your continued trust and patience as we build the roster that will get us back on top."
The last-place Reds are heading toward their eighth straight losing season and haven't reached the playoffs since 1995.
Griffey was shipped to the Chicago White Sox on July 31; Dunn to Arizona on Aug. 11.
The Reds have signed most of their draft picks, including top choice Yonder Alonso from the University of Miami. Among their current young players are Joey Votto, Jay Bruce and Johnny Cueto.
"We had high expectations for the 2008 season," the letter states. "Unfortunately, the team has not played up to our expectations and we have sustained injuries to key players within our starting lineup and rotation."
A few excerpts:
-On trading Griffey and Dunn: "While the run production generated by these two veterans will not be quickly replaced, we chose to endure the short-term ramifications for the sake of building a strong, competitive team for 2009 and many seasons to come."
-On newly signed young players: "The vast majority of our 50 draft picks were signed, culminating last week with first-rounder Yonder Alonso and a pair of talented pitchers. Our expanded scouting operations also signed Juan Duran from the Dominican Republic and Yorman Rodriguez from Venezuela, who are arguably the best amateur free agent position players from their respective countries."
-On the immediate future: "As we near September, we will continue to provide valuable playing time to our young players and new acquisitions who we feel can become significant contributors at the Major League level. We ask your continued trust and patience as we build the roster that will get us back on top."
The Reds' moves made sense to fan Ian Cioffi. He thought they were paying too much to Griffey for his declining production and that they should try younger players.
burningkewl 
