While the Cincinnati Reds prepare to host the 86th annual MLB All-Star Game at Great American Ball Park on Tuesday, their skipper sent a message that he should keep his job.
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Despite a disappointing start to the campaign, Reds manager Bryan Price said he understands his critics, but believes he's the right guy for the job as team skipper.
"I know the job of a manager is to create a healthy environment where you win on a regular basis,'' Price said, according to ESPN. "That certainly has been challenging in my two years here. I'm not averse at all to being criticized. That's a part of my job and I understand the speculation. I get it."
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He continued: "I still feel like I am the right guy [for the job] here. I just feel like I have an understanding of what we need to do to turn the corner and to be the type of team and organization we aspire to be.''
The Reds are 39-47 at the All-Star break, 14.5 games behind the division-leading St. Louis Cardinals in the National League Central and 7.5 games back in the wild-card race after winning 90 games a season ago and falling in the NL Wild-Card Game.
Cincinnati lost two straight contests and three of its last four to close out the first half, including an 8-1 defeat at the hands of the Miami Marlins on Sunday in the finale.
Price, 53, said he understands the criticisms that come with being a manager, but he's confident the team can turn it around.
"I never felt I was going to come in here and have everybody think I was the best thing since sliced bread,'' Price said. "I expected to be criticized. I've seen it with every manager I've worked for, and I've been criticized as a pitching coach. It's part of the deal when the team isn't playing well. I think there are times where it's warranted and you can speculate and it's fine. But there are other times where it becomes more of a tabloid thing.''
If Price was let-go, it wouldn't mark the first managerial change in the MLB this season as Milwaukee's Ron Roenicke, Miami's Mike Redmond and San Diego's Bud Black were all fired while Philadelphia's Ryne Sandberg resigned.
With the Reds flailing, there are rumors that Johnny Cueto, Mike Leake, Aroldis Chapman, Jay Bruce and Marlon Byrd are all on the trading block with the July 31 non-waiver deadline fast approaching.
With those rumors has come other speculation that Price's days are numbered and that former Reds great Barry Larkin is waiting in the wings, but Price isn't buying into it.
"At some point in time, my managing career is going to end. When that day is, nobody knows. But some of the hits you take along the way, they sting.''
After hosting the All-Star Game on Tuesday, the Reds host the Cleveland Indians when play resumes on Friday.
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