Why I'm Not Suprised the Reds kept Bryan Price

So let’s jump into this blog with the number one topic in Reds Country right now: yesterday’s announcement that Bryan Price will return in 2016 as the Reds manager.

It’s a decision that shocked many Reds fans, but not me. No, really. I knew it was going to happen.

Please notice that I said I knew it was going to happen. I did not say I agree with the decision because I do not. I believe Price deserved to and should have lost his job. So why was I sure that wasn’t going to happen?

1) Owner Bob Castellini is a loyal guy who thinks with his heart before he thinks with his head.

All you have to do is look at the big contracts the Reds have signed over the past few seasons to know that this is the case. Dusty Baker would probably still be the manager of the Reds if he had agreed with the decision to fire Brook Jacoby as the hitting coach.

2) The heir apparent was not ready.

By all reports, the heir apparent to the manager’s position is Barry Larkin. And he has said he’s not sure he’s ready to become a manager. The one more year on Price’s contract would give Larkin the time he needs to get ready.

3) The young pitching staff needs Price’s help.

Ironically, the person the Reds’ young pitching staff needs more than anyone is Bryan Price—but as their pitching coach, not their manager. However, the thought is probably that Price being around in any capacity is better than no Price at all.

I had high hopes for Price as a manager because of how good of a pitching coach he is. But there was always that nagging concern in the back of my head that he would be another Dick LeBeau. A great coordinator/coach that was just not meant to be the head guy. The Bengals had no choice but to fire LeBeau as their head coach, only for him to go to the Steelers and harass them for years as the Steelers’ defensive coordinator. I have no doubt the same thing will eventually happen with Price.

But by keeping him for next year, the Reds have put themselves in a real pickle with the fans. If Walt Jocketty (who I believe should be gone as well) does not make some major moves in the offseason to help improve the team for the future, the fans’ anger over retaining Price will just keep growing and growing. And the fans will no doubt not be as loyal as Bob C. and will eventually stop buying tickets.

I had sworn that last year was my last Redsfest because it’s usually the same-old, same-old with very few changes. But now it is a must-attend to hear the fan reaction when Price is introduced. Last year, J.J. Hoover and Hitting Coach Don Long were booed. They will not hold back on Price.

Photo: Bob Castellini at 2014 Reds Caravan stop in Ashland, Ky. Credit: Angela Henderson-Bentley