After firing a manager and finishing 72-90, fans demand offseason changes. With a month to go before spring training, GM Wayne Krivsky has stayed busy to improve on last year’s record.

At the conclusion of last season, Krivsky passed on signing interim manager Pete Mackanin (41-39) and snagged veteran manager Dusty Baker to a three year contract. In his career Baker has a record of 1,162-1,041, was named coach of the year by Baseball Writers’ Association of America (1993, 1997, 2000)—twice by The Sporting News (1997,2000), and once by The Associated Press (1993).

It is no secret where the Reds lacked in their lackluster season, pitching. In December of 2007 the Reds acquired minor league RHP Justin James from the Toronto Blue Jays for OF Buck Coats. Last season, James combined to finish 3-5 with a 3.89 ERA and two saves in 43 appearances. He also made five starts in Class AA New Hampshire and Class AAA Oklahoma City.

To further beef up the bullpen and starting pitching OF Josh Hamilton was traded for RHP Edison Volquez and LHP Danny Herrera from the Texas Rangers. Last season, Volquez won the Nolan Ryan Pitcher of the Year award for best minor league pitcher in the Rangers’ organization. In 26 starts he went 14-6 with a 3.67 ERA. Volquez also finished first in strikeouts among other minor league pitchers in the Rangers’ organization with 166 in 144.2 innings. In 2006, Herrera made First-Year All-Star with a 1.45 ERA in 5 starts.

GM Krivsky says he wants to continue with trade activity into spring training, "There's still a month until spring and then at Spring Training, we'll have our scouts out at games …everyone will have a chance to evaluate players." The Reds are currently speaking with pitchers Brett Tomko, Josh Fogg, Livan Hernandez, Jon Lieber, and Kris Benson. To aid with baseball operations the Reds hired Walt Jocketty. In Jocketty's tenure, the Cardinals went to the postseason seven times and won the 2006 World Series. He was named Major League Baseball's Executive of the Year by The Sporting News in 2000 and 2004 and by Baseball America in 2000. "We are fortunate to be able to add to our baseball department someone who has had as much success in the game as Walt," Castellini (owner) said in a statement.

With a busy offseason the fans are optimistic.