Bowden is not as bad as many here suggest.  Certainly has his share of
interesting trades/acquisitions.  Definitely gets the best value out of the
waiver wire/minor league free agent pickups.  Tends to focus more on hitting
than pitching, and unfortunately, too much on the all speed/no stick type
hitters.  I could have sworn that was Bowden, not O'Brien, making a trade for
Tony Womack.

The trades Jose Guillen for Aaron Harang deal was made 2 days after Bowden
was fired.  As was the Aaron Boone for Brandon Claussen deal.  The asst GM
that made those deals provided the only two good starters in the Reds
rotation.  Dan O'B then signed the FA duds Milton, Ortiz, and Wilson.

I disagree with the negative comments regarding the Jose Guillen deal.
 Guillen was in Cincinnati on a 1-yr deal as the 4th OFer.  He received a lot
of playing time with all the injuries and was already complaining about
playing time when the 3 starters were healthy.  He also was in the midst of a
career year, never seeing above 800 OPS before.  With Wily Mo Pena being
forced onto the active roster the following year, Guillen was a definite sell
high candidate.  And, as someone else pointed out, Harang is coming off a
very good season.

Back to Bowden: I would also like to point out the 7/8th of the Reds
projected starting lineup was either drafted or acquired via trade during
Bowden's tenure:

C - Larue - drafted 5th round 1995
1B - Dunn - drafted 2nd round 1998
SS - Lopez - received in trade for Elmer Dessens
3B - Encarnacion - received in trade for Rob Bell
LF - Pena - received in trade for D. Henson
CF - Griffey - received in trade for Cameron, etal
RF - Kearns - drafted 1st round 1998