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Reds
general manager Walt Jocketty said the club could look to add
another lefty reliever. Photo courtesy of
bleacherreport.com
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Reds done with major moves this offseason
bleachreport.com
CINCINNATI -- Having checked off all of their offseason needs in rapid
fashion in late November and December, the Reds are poised to keep more
additions to a minimum in the final weeks of the Hot Stove season.
Reds general manager Walt Jocketty re-signed closer Jonathan Broxton
and outfielder Ryan Ludwick, traded for center fielder Shin-Soo Choo
and signed infielder Jack Hannahan as a free agent. His primary focus
this month will be trying to sign his own players that are eligible for
arbitration.
"The only thing we could possibly need is another left-handed reliever,
but it's not critical," Jocketty said Wednesday from his winter home in
Phoenix. "Our right-handed relievers have done well versus left-handed
hitters."
Cincinnati currently has one established left-hander in its bullpen in
Sean Marshall. Another lefty, Aroldis Chapman, is expected to shift
from closer to compete for a rotation spot in Spring Training.
The free-agent market is not flush with southpaws, especially after the
Brewers closed deals with two of them in recent days -- Mike Gonzalez
and Tom Gorzelanny. The Reds were reportedly interested in Gonzalez,
who has agreed to a one-year contract worth $2.25 million plus
incentives, according to reports.
Other names that remain on the market are Manny Parra, Rich Hill, J.C.
Romero and Pedro Feliciano.
A glance at the numbers show that Jocketty was correct about his
right-handed relievers. All of them had better success versus lefties
compared to righties last season -- including Jose Arredondo (.277 vs.
righties, .165 vs. lefties), Sam LeCure (.232 vs. righties, .208 vs.
lefties), J.J. Hoover (.196 vs. righties, .120 vs. lefties), Logan
Ondrusek (.285 vs. righties, .190 vs. lefties) and Alfredo Simon (.283
vs. righties, .267 vs. lefties).
Top left-handed pitching prospect Tony Cingrani is not currently being
viewed as a bullpen candidate.
"He could do that, but we would prefer him to start at Triple-A,"
Jocketty said. "We want to have starting pitching depth. He's capable
of relieving, but it's not in his best long-term interests. If it
becomes in the best interests of the club, maybe it's something we
could look at in Spring Training."
Jocketty has never been shy about combing for late-winter bargains as
prices come down. Late last month, the team re-signed veteran catcher
Corky Miller for depth at Triple-A Louisville. Other catchers still on
the market are seeking big league contracts, while the Reds only want
to offer Minor League deals.
There is still interest from the Reds in retaining free-agent third
baseman Scott Rolen for a supporting role, but Rolen, who turns 38 in
April, still hasn't decided whether he will retire.
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