Reds' minds not made up on Aurilia

[missionhockey21]

Reds' minds not made up on Aurilia
By John Fay
Enquirer staff writer

Reds general manager Dan O'Brien on Monday arrived in Arizona, which happens to be Rich Aurilia's offseason home.

O'Brien is in the desert checking out the Reds' participants in the Arizona Fall League - not trying to persuade Aurilia to accept the mutual option for 2006.

"I have no plans to meet with Rich at the moment," O'Brien said.

He said the club still hasn't decided whether to pick up the $2 million option.

But it sounds as though Aurilia might be willing to return even if the Reds won't guarantee him an everyday spot in the lineup.

"Rich still thinks he can be a starter," his agent, Barry Axelrod, said. "But if there's at least an opportunity for that - even in that super-utility role - he'd be willing to listen."

There's no question the Reds would be better with Aurilia in that role. It gives them insurance on a number of fronts, as Aurilia can play shortstop, second and third.

Offensively, Aurilia was one of the Reds' most productive hitters. He hit .282 with 14 home runs and 68 RBI and led the club with a .343 average with runners in scoring position.

The sides have until 10 days after the end of the World Series to accept or reject the option.

It's no secret Reds manager Jerry Narron would like Aurilia back. But it will come down to money.

"We have to see what our overall budget is," O'Brien said.

O'Brien said the club requested permission from the Yankees organization to speak to Bucky Dent about a coaching opening.

Narron would like to hire Dent to replace first-base coach Randy Whisler.

Narron and Dent worked together for the Texas Rangers and were teammates on the Yankees.

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[CincyRedsFan30]

This decision will take a few weeks to make...followed by a lof of internal exploration about potentialities when it comes to trades involving players currently on the team. Then the external options will be explored when it comes to free agent signings, particularly when looking for players who enable the business of baseball to occur through discourse with teams from the different leagues.

It's going to be another fun and slow moving offseason.

[Saber]

That a team such as the Reds is worrying so much about a reserve infielder option shows the lack of focus that put the franchise in this position in the first place.

[Geki Ace]

The thing is, two million dollars is a pretty sizable amount for the Reds to give to anyone. That's probably the saddest thing about this.

[redsrbetter]

They are worried about Aurilia because he is a catch 22. He was productive, but he costs too much and is not better than cheaper options and more productive options as well.

If this team signs Aurilia, do you guys expect this team to give up on pitching this offseason? This 2 million could be used toward that.

[BigRedMachine]

They should deal Aurilia or let him go whichever the case may be. He is productive but they have promising infielders in the wings to bring up. Spend the money on some REAL pitchers and not someone that is "going to be good" or "pretty good". With strong pitching this season the Reds would have been a force and it is time to match the pitching with the lineup before that falls apart too.