Walt Jocketty would rather not get into it

The Reds missed the boat on Pat Burrell today. The official propaganda machine for the Reds, reds.com, tried to spin this into a positive, but it does nothing to pass the smell detector test. Simply put, the Reds botched it.

Pat the Bat signed a two-year contract worth $16 million with the Tampa Bay Rays. Considering Pat is coming off a steady 33 HR year with a World Series ring, the price was considerably lower than any team expected, especially the Reds.

"I'd rather not get into it," said Reds GM Walt Jocketty.

The Anatomy of a Loser a.k.a. "getting into it"
1. The Rays do not resign Rocco Baldelli because he is mediocre.
2. Committed to winning, the Rays go out and find a better replacement--Burrell.
3. The Reds, with a huge hole in left field and the middle of the order, never show a serious commitment to Burrell, one of a few free agents who will properly fill that hole.
4. After their worst dreams are realized and Burrell is gobbled up cheap, they decide to go after the lesser player to save their ass--Rocco Baldelli. Let's watch the desperation unfold in the next few weeks.

It's nice to know our management is patching up the holes--Oooo, spin for desert.