Comments on: Barry Larkin Headed to Europe

By: chris

chris — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 02:07:38 +0000

This sounds like an excellent opportunity, although I have to disagree with you Brian. I think Barry needs to come back with some signings. Especially considering we’ve done nothing in the Latin America market and are so far not willing to pony up the money for Jack McGeary and Josh Smoker. With the slashed payroll this year that money needs to show up someplace else or people will start to turn on the plan.

By: A DC Wonk

A DC Wonk — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 02:41:11 +0000

I’m confused . . . will Larkin be working for MLB or the Nats when he’s over there? If the former, isn’t that a conflict of interest if he signs anybody? Even if he simply sends reports to the Nats that other teams don’t get?

By: Brian Oliver

Brian Oliver — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 11:46:23 +0000

Chris - The reason I didn’t believe Larkin would likely sign anyone is the idea DC Wonk had in his comment. Larkin is working for MLB as a coach in Europe, not the Nationals. While he can get some firsthand information to provide to the Nationals, I don’t believe it would be ethical to have him getting pen to paper. That does not stop the Nationals from sending Chuck Lamar as a Nationals representative to do the actual signings. As long as it isn’t Larkin doing it.

By: Chris

Chris — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 15:02:00 +0000

Yeah I see what you guys mean. Ok, how about we sign some guys soon after the camp, based upon what Larkin sees. I think some tangibile returns need to be seen tho

By: Pilchard

Pilchard — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 16:20:04 +0000

In think that the number of baseball prospects produced from Europe and China will be greatly reduced by the IOC's decsion to eliminate baseball as an olympic sport after 2008.

For most of the world outside of latin american and japan/korea/taiwan, baseball only became a point of emphasis after it was made an Olympic sport. Now that it won't be, I don't see funds devoted to buliding fields, buying equipment and hiring coaches.

When the IOC made the announcement nixing baseball, many people here could careless, but it did do substantial harm to baseball's ability grow beyond those areas where it had been long-established.

By: Markel Lerner

Markel Lerner — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 06:40:56 +0000

I think what Barry Larkin is doing for MLB rocks! What I want to see done points to the management of the Cincinnati Reds. I want them to keep their promise of “The Power of Tradition”, and put Barry Larkin back on it’s payroll.
This experience for Barry (Europe/working for MLB) will be more proof to the Cincinnati organization, that it is time to bring the home town kid back. What he is doing for the Washington Nationals, he can do for the Cincinnati Reds. 19 years with one MLB organization as a player speaks volumes. He has gotten his feet wet as an executive, plus he has had a change of secenery (Washington Nationals).
Do the right thing Mr. Castalini and bring back BARRY!