Despite his team finishing seven games out of third place in the NL Central, the Cincinnati Reds' three playoff appearances in the last five seasons have led the organization to sign general manager Walter Jocketty to what MLB.com's Mark Sheldon is reporting as a "multiyear" extension.
Walt Jocketty agrees to contract extension with Reds
After missing the playoffs for the first time in three years and just the second time in five, the Reds have extended their general manager in what’s being reported as a “multiyear” deal.
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As Jocketty -- who's been with the team since 2008, and became GM in April 2009 -- told Sheldon, in addition to the success the team has had in previous years, his rapport with ownership played a significant role in him coming back. "I've got a great relationship with [Reds CEO] Bob [Castellini]. In my position, there are two things that are important. You have to have a great relationship with your owner and you have to have a great relationship with your manager. I have that here with both those guys."
The aforementioned manager, Bryan Price, will also be kept on. After replacing Dusty Baker following his acrimonious departure from the team -- which included him challenging Jocketty to fire him -- the same things that likely helped Jocketty keep his job despite the disappointing season aided the skipper as well. Jocketty hinted at as much with Sheldon, telling him, “I feel bad for [Price] -- the things he had to overcome this year, the injuries and bringing in a new staff and new ideas. I thought he did an excellent job. I know the players feel that way.”
He gave no such guarantees about the rest of Price’s coaching staff.
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