Graves Cut

[NFLman2033]

wow, it feels as though a small weight has been lifted, 2 down, several to go

[missionhockey21]

Typical Graves response.

[Wally Mo Pena]

didn't see this posted elsewhere, whoops.

[redsrbetter]

Yes! Huge news guys! This is what we wanted and thank goodness it was not just a suspension and a fine. Graves deserves this treatment. His response is ridiculous. Just because he has done a lot for the community and because he has been here 8 years does not mean he deserves to stick around. Thank you DanO for getting this done. I now like this team so much more. Who is next DanO?

[redsrbetter]

BTW, very good assumption CRF! And thanks CS for the heads up today!

[redsrbetter]

How Casey and Griffey feel about this. Along with a few quotes from DanO:

Updated: May 23, 2005, 5:49 PM ET
Graves made obscene hand gesture toward fanAssociated Press


CINCINNATI -- Closer Danny Graves was let go by the Cincinnati Reds on Monday, a day after he made an obscene hand gesture at a fan taunting him over his latest poor performance.

The club's career saves leader was shocked by the decision to designate him for assignment, a move that ended his eight-year career in Cincinnati. The Reds have 10 days to trade him or put him on waivers.

"I always knew this day would come," Graves said. "I didn't think it would be so soon."

Graves gave up five ninth-inning runs in Cleveland's 9-2 victory Sunday at Great American Ball Park, then was booed and taunted by fans as he left the field.

He didn't react to the jeers as he walked off and got a drink in the dugout. When he moved to the end of the dugout by the bat rack, a man in one of the high-priced seats next nearby yelled at him. Graves yelled back and made an obscene hand gesture.

Graves spoke by telephone on Monday with general manager Dan O'Brien, who was out of town preparing for the amateur draft, and with other Reds officials.

"A lot of the off-field emotions had something to do with it, and last night when I flipped the man off had something to do with it," Graves said. "A fan cussed at me. I regret doing it. I planned on apologizing today."

Graves' latest tough outing raised his ERA to 7.76. He was 1-1 and had 10 saves in 12 chances.

The Reds had lost 18 of their last 23 games, falling out of contention in the NL Central. O'Brien said that Graves' encounter with the fan wasn't the main reason for the move.

"His performance has been unsatisfactory and unacceptable," O'Brien said, in a conference call. "It hasn't been up to the standards we've come to expect for the Cincinnati Reds organization. We appreciate Danny's contributions to the organization, and we hope he finds an opportunity with another major league club."

Graves, 31, hasn't been the same since he agreed to help the team by moving into the rotation in 2003. A career reliever, Graves wore down during a 4-15 season that took several miles per hour off his fastball and took a toll on his body. He was throwing around 88 mph this season, down from 94 mph in his prime.

"I changed roles and probably ruined my career," Graves said. "I don't know. I don't have the answers. I felt like I've been given up on. It's a shock to me. If I can recall, I'm not the only closer that has struggled."

Graves is in the final guaranteed year on a $17.25 million, three-year deal, making a base salary of $6.25 million. There was a mutual option for next season at $6.25 million, with no buyout.

If he clears waivers, a club could sign him for a prorated share of the $316,000 minimum, with the Reds paying the remainder of his salary.


A lot more on this:
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2066723

[redsrbetter]

A few things on this.

First, I figured Casey would react this way. By why does this team not see that he was really hurting their chances almost every time out. They just keep saying that he has put in work for eight years and shouldn't be treated that way. They don't understand that if you cannot get the job done, and any pitcher in the world would be a better option than him, we have to make the change. Pisses me off that this team will probably be butt hurt and not play ball well tonight.

Secondly, I am very thankful to that fan for getting Graves pissed at him. We need to find his name and really praise him. What a great fan!

And last thing, I knew that they would have to wait and see who was going to be the closer. Why not give it to Wagner? It must be that he has been shaky at times this season. Either way, this bullpen looks so much better now without Graves.

[NFLman2033]

A few things on this.

First, I figured Casey would react this way. By why does this team not see that he was really hurting their chances almost every time out. They just keep saying that he has put in work for eight years and shouldn't be treated that way. They don't understand that if you cannot get the job done, and any pitcher in the world would be a better option than him, we have to make the change. Pisses me off that this team will probably be butt hurt and not play ball well tonight.

Secondly, I am very thankful to that fan for getting Graves pissed at him. We need to find his name and really praise him. What a great fan!

And last thing, I knew that they would have to wait and see who was going to be the closer. Why not give it to Wagner? It must be that he has been shaky at times this season. Either way, this bullpen looks so much better now without Graves.

well. I hope their stunned reaction turns into a wake up call, and the whole team starts performing up to their abilities

[Sea Ray]

"A lot of the off-field emotions had something to do with it, and last night when I flipped the man off had something to do with it," Graves said. "A fan cussed at me. I regret doing it. I planned on apologizing today."

Funny he finally admitted doing this today whereas yesterday he wasn't sure if he did it or not.


<<Graves, 31, hasn't been the same since he agreed to help the team by moving into the rotation in 2003. A career reliever, Graves wore down during a 4-15 season that took several miles per hour off his fastball and took a toll on his body. He was throwing around 88 mph this season, down from 94 mph in his prime>>

This false premise is being repeated so often it's mistaken as fact.

The fact is that the only reason they were moving him to the rotation was because he was doing poorly as the closer. So the rotation didn't burn him out. The burnout began before he ever attempted a windup.

"If I can recall, I'm not the only closer that has struggled."

Danny, give me a list of the other closers with ERAs worse than your 7.76...

[CincyRedsFan30]

Graves was a joke of a Closer.

Of course I've thought that for a few years.

[Sea Ray]

"We appreciate Danny's contributions to the organization, and we hope he finds an opportunity with another major league club."

Hopefully with a team that has lots of games left with us...

[redsrbetter]

LOL definitely Sea Ray. Imagine if we ever got to face a pitcher like Graves. We could surely win a game then.

[Porter]

You know whats amazing about it, Graves was 10 for 12 saves, he has less blown saves than Foulke, Dotel lol.

[Porter]

You know could the Yank$ sign him they need more old bullpen help.

[Cincy]

May 23rd 2005 will go down as a great date in Reds history.

I've been gone all day, but this news makes my day.

And oh yeah, Danny Boy, don't let the door hit you on the way out!