Russell Branyan?

Wow.. I just figured he was hurt. Why on earth was he in AA? Seemed to have a good year in '04.. were there some character issues or something?

Yes. Character issues.

Surprise! Jimenez not really done with Reds

By John Fay

Enquirer staff writer

Ryan Freel didn't know D'Angelo Jimenez was still going to be part of the Reds' organization when he said what he said on Sporting News Radio Thursday.

"I don't have anything good to say about the guy to be personally honest with you. He is a cancer in every single clubhouse that he goes to," Freel said.

But Jimenez accepted an outright assignment to Double-A Chattanooga Thursday - six days after the Reds designated him for assignment. Nearly everyone thought it was the end of Jimenez's Reds career, including Reds general manager Dan O'Brien.

"It was unexpected," O'Brien said. "Give him credit, he accepted the reality and is trying to make the best of it."

But given the way his teammates feel about him, it would be a huge upset if Jimenez played for the Reds again. Freel has stronger feelings about Jimenez than others - the two got into a fight last year at the team party - but Jimenez was not popular with the coaching staff or his teammates.

So why did the Reds allow him to remain in the organization? Because they had to.

"When you have an individual in his circumstance, in terms of putting together all the scenarios that could unfold, we felt like it was important that we make his contract available via the waiver process," O'Brien said. "By virtue of making that decision, there then is an administrative rule that should he clear waivers, as a choice, he can elect free agency or he can accept the assignment."

Jimenez had until today to report to Chattanooga. He was there by 2 p.m. Thursday, taking grounders at shortstop.

"We had a meeting with him," player development director Tim Naehring said. "He understands what we expect."

Yes add that to his .210 average, and say hello to the Noog.