[Zen653]

CINCINNATI -- The Cincinnati Reds have fired general manager Wayne Krivsky and replaced him with former St. Louis Cardinals GM Walt Jocketty.

Yes, most of us saw Wayne Krivsky's firing coming. No, few of us saw it coming so soon. Rob Neyer says one might argue that Krivsky did as much good as harm to the Reds. The Reds are off to their worst start in five years. The firing wasn't as much a surprise as the timing.

Krivsky knew his job was in jeopardy when owner Bob Castellini hired Jocketty as a special consultant in January. The two were friends from Castellini's days in the Cardinals' ownership group.

When the Reds got off to a 9-12 start, Castellini made a switch that was expected at some point. Krivsky, who was hired before the 2006 season, was in the final year of his contract.

Again, the Reds are looking for direction. Jocketty is the team's fourth general manager in six years, an instability that has prevented them from setting a course. The Reds also have been through two owners, four managers and an interim manager during that span, with former Cubs manager Dusty Baker joining the club during the offseason.

ESPN - Krivsky fired after less than three years as Reds' GM - MLB

I find the timing a bit odd. Krivsky got hired in 2006. It takes at least 5 years to build up a small market team. Firing someone because his mediocre team got off to a predictably mediocre start (9-12) strikes me as unfair. I felt Krivsky had the Reds moving in the right direction.

With Jocketty now at the helm, how long until Dusty Baker gets the axe? Or was Baker pre-approved by Jocketty when the latter got brought in as a consultant in January?