Reds will try to sign Votto, says Castellini

January 27th, 2012 Stephen Rhodes Posted in Reds Locker Room

In light of the nine-year contract, reportedly worth $214 million, that Prince Fielder signed with the Detroit Tigers on Thursday, it’s time to start wondering about Joey Votto‘s future with the Cincinnati Reds.

Votto is signed through 2013 and can become a first-time free agent after that season. In addition to Fielder, Albert Pujols — who has the same agent as Votto — signed a 10-year, $240 million contract with the Angels this offseason.

Despite the precedent set by these two contracts, Reds CEO Bob Castellini didn’t rule out Cincinnati making the effort to sign the 2010 National League Most Valuable Player to an extension.

“I think that’s a challenge, but we’ve got a lot of challenges,” Castellini said at the Reds Caravan kickoff event on Thursday. “It’s certainly something we would want to do.”

Last winter, Votto signed a three-year, $38 million contract that covered the remaining three years of his arbitration eligibility. At the time, Votto wanted to leave his long-term options open because he could not envision himself making a longer commitment.

That triggered speculation that Votto might be traded during this winter. General manager Walt Jocketty repeatedly — and emphatically — shot those rumors down while saying the team wanted to win and needed its best player. Perhaps knowing the window of opportunity could still be limited if Votto moved on in two years, Jocketty has made several improvements to Cincinnati’s roster this winter in an effort to go for the NL Central title in 2012.

Votto, 28, is due to make $9.5 million in 2012 and $17 million in 2013, plus he is still due $3.5 million of his $6 million signing bonus. Since his debut in 2007, he is a career .313 hitter with 119 home runs, 401 RBIs, a .405 on-base percentage and a .550 slugging percentage.

Castellini believes that he and Jocketty could initiate extension talks as early as this year.

“I think Walt has been in pursuit of that for a while,” Castellini said. “It’s something we know is a big challenge for us. It’s certainly is desirable.”

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Reds excited with chances this season

January 27th, 2012 Stephen Rhodes Posted in The Reds Report Exclusive

They say you can never have enough pitching.

Evidently, Cincinnati Reds’ general manager Walt Jocketty agrees.

Jocketty made some key acquisitions during the off-season as he stockpiled pitching to strengthen the Reds’ chances of winning the National League Central Division.

Those acquisition have Reds’ players and fans excited about the upcoming season and the team personnel making the southern swing of the annual Reds Caravan were bubbling with anticipation regarding 2012.

Jocketty traded prize hitting prospect Yonder Alonso for San Diego starting pitcher Mat Latos, he dealt spot starter Travis Wood for reliever Sean Marshall and signed free agent closer Ryan Madson of the Phillies.

Latos will join a starting rotation that includes Johnny Cueto, Homer Bailey, Mike Leake and Bronson Arroyo.

While the Reds have been stocking up on talent, Central Division champion Milwaukee lost slugger Prince Fielder to Detroit and World Champion St. Louis’ best player and Reds’ killer Albert Pujols signed with Anaheim. Both were free agents.

“The other teams have come back to the pack,” said Reds’ Hall of Fame play-by-play announcer Marty Brennaman who is beginning his 39th season in broadcasting.

“No team has improved more than the Reds. There’s no reason why this club can’t be a contend all season.”

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Reds, Arredondo Avoid Arbitration

January 27th, 2012 Stephen Rhodes Posted in Reds Transactions

The Cincinnati Reds and right-hander Jose Arredondo have agreed to a two-year contract to avoid arbitration, the club announced Thursday.

The club and Arredondo were not far apart when salary figures were exchanged last week. Arredondo was seeking $875,000 for 2012 while the Reds countered offered at $725,000. He made $480,000 last season.

Arredondo was Cincinnati’s last remaining arbitration-eligible player.

Cincinnati’s record of no arbitration cases extended for another year. It has not had a case go to a hearing since 2004, when the arbitrator ruled against reliever Chris Reitsma.

Arredondo, who turns 28 in March, went 4-4 with a 3.23 ERA in 53 relief appearances for the Reds last season after missing all of 2010 while recovering from Tommy John surgery.

Arredondo has posted a 3.40 ERA in 148 games during his three-year career, beginning with the Angels from 2008-09.

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Reds Caravan Leaves Cincinnati Thursday Morning

January 26th, 2012 Stephen Rhodes Posted in Reds Events

Cincinnati Reds fans are excited this morning, as the Reds Caravan begins its journey. Players, members of the front office, and broadcasters will board buses at Great American Ballpark this morning.

The send off is set for 9 AM local time, despite the rain. That’s when three buses will leave, going in three different directions. In all, the caravan is scheduled to make 15 stops, visiting fans in four states and covering 2700 miles in four days.

Tom Browning, Brandon Phillips, and broadcaster Marty Brennaman are among those taking the tour.

To view the complete 2012 Reds Cavaran itinerary, please click here.

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Francis, Reds Agree To Minor League Deal

January 26th, 2012 Stephen Rhodes Posted in Reds Transactions

Looking to supplement their rotation with extra depth, the Cincinnati Reds reached a Minor League deal late Wednesday with left-handed pitcher Jeff Francis, according to CBSSports.com.

Reds general manager Walt Jocketty told MLB.com last week that his club was interested in adding Francis, a free agent.

Francis, 30, was 6-16 with a 4.82 ERA in 31 starts last season with the Kansas City Royals. Most of his career had been spent with the Colorado Rockies from 2004-10. He was a 17-game winner in 2007.

Lifetime, Francis is 61-66 with a 4.78 ERA in 181 games (180 starts).

The chances of Francis cracking the Reds’ starting five could be long heading into camp. Cincinnati already had six pitchers in Johnny Cueto, new acquisition Mat Latos, Bronson Arroyo, Homer Bailey, Mike Leake and Aroldis Chapman vying for five spots.

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Reds Get Valdez From Phillies, Sign Masset To New Deal

January 25th, 2012 Stephen Rhodes Posted in Reds Transactions, Roster Update

The final item on the Cincinnati Reds‘ offseason wish list — a backup infielder who can play shortstop — appeared to be checked off on Wednesday.

Bypassing what was a picked over free-agent market, Cincinnati executed a trade that brought utility infielder Wilson Valdez from the Philadelphia Phillies for left-handed reliever Jeremy Horst.

The Reds also announced that right-handed setup reliever Nick Masset avoided arbitration by signing a two-year contract.

Valdez spent the last two seasons in Philadelphia and batted .249 with a .294 on-base percentage, one home run and 30 RBIs over 99 games in 2011. A lifetime .243 hitter, the 33-year-old Valdez has also spent time with the Chicago White Sox, Seattle Mariners, San Diego Padres, Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Mets.

“He is versatile as far as defense,” Reds general manager Walt Jocketty said. “I think his numbers indicate that he doesn’t hit for a high average. But he has come up with some big hits for the Phillies when they needed them.”

Out of Valdez’s 342 career big league games, 190 have been played at shortstop, where he owns a .980 fielding percentage.

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Utilityman Harris Inked By Reds

January 24th, 2012 Stephen Rhodes Posted in Reds Transactions

The Cincinnati Reds addressed another need for infield depth when they agreed to terms with utility player Willie Harris on a Minor League deal, two sources confirmed to MLB.com on Monday.

Harris, who will be invited to camp as a non-roster player, can earn an $800,000 base salary if he makes the club and his overall salary can reach $1 million if he meets incentives.

Last season with the New York Mets, Harris batted .246 with a .351 on-base percentage, two home runs and 23 RBIs in 126 games while earning $800,000.

A left-handed hitter that has played 11 big league seasons for the Baltimore Orioles, Chicago White Sox, Atlanta Braves, Washington Nationals and Mets, Harris is a lifetime .240 hitter with a .330 OBP.

Harris, 33, can play all three outfield positions, second base and third base. He does not, however, play shortstop, having appeared there in just eight of his 825 career games. General manager Walt Jocketty had indicated all winter he was looking for added shortstop depth. Unless another player is added, the club will be set at the position with rookie Zack Cozart and Paul Janish.

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Reliever Madson ready to lead Cincinnati back to postseason

January 22nd, 2012 Stephen Rhodes Posted in The Reds Report Exclusive

Chilled at the airport, warmed by the reception in the office of Cincinnati Reds owner Bob Castellini, new closer Ryan Madson said he’s ready get back to the playoffs.

No doubt that was sweet music to Castellini. Signed, sealed and delivered, he’s yours, Reds fans.

Madson said closer’s roles were “few and far between,” so he jumped on the Reds offer of a one-year, $8.5 million contract with a mutual option for 2013.

Once the Phillies signed Jonathan Papelbon, the Marlins signed Heath Bell and Boston traded for Andrew Bailey, the window closed quickly on Madson, but not so quickly that Cincinnati couldn’t swoop in.

The former Phillies closer (32 saves with a 2.37 ERA in 2011) said he hadn’t played with any of the Reds but — by the sound of his voice — he was glad he wouldn’t have to be face Joey Votto, Jay Bruce and Brandon Phillips this year.

He doesn’t know the other Cincinnati relievers well, but he was aware and pleased with the signing of setup man Sean Marshall from the Cubs.

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