CINCINNATI Once-promising Reds to begin rebuilding -- again

The new front office has traded key players for prospects and cash.
CINCINNATI (AP) -- Jim Bowden squinted into the bright Florida sunshine as he sat atop the dugout in a folding chair, basking in the crowning moment of his career.
At the general manager's side was Ken Griffey Jr., the superstar outfielder with the richest contract in baseball history. His first day at spring training in 2000 transformed the small-market Cincinnati Reds into baseball's biggest story.
Back home, architects were putting finishing touches on plans for a new ballpark that would generate money in three more years. Great things seemed to be on the way.
"It's tremendous for baseball, and baseball is finally back in Cincinnati," Bowden told the throng of reporters in Sarasota, Fla.
Three years later, the team is in upheaval. Bowden was fired Monday in the midst of a horrific first season at Great American Ball Park. Manager Bob Boone went, too, along with two of his coaches.
Starting over
Following ownership's orders, Bowden's assistants traded off key components of the team for prospects and cash. Fans felt betrayed by the sell-off so soon after the publicly financed ballpark opened.
They had hardly unpacked when they started rebuilding.
"A lot of unfortunate things have happened this year," reliever Gabe White said, shortly after learning he had been traded to the New York Yankees. "Now, it's looking like the organization is changing directions. It appears to be a different organization."
It's an organization that was never fully committed to one direction. The result is a cautionary tale for small-market teams, and a reminder that a new ballpark can't mask bad decisions.
The Reds won't pick Bowden's successor until after the World Series.
Their focus will be on developing pitching through the farm system, something Bowden failed to do. More roster changes are expected along the way.
The Reds have already tried to trade Griffey once, and may do so again -- if he can stay healthy.
A lot has changed since that pivotal offseason in 1999.
"That seems like a different lifetime," reliever Scott Sullivan said.