"Give the Reds credit after a do-nothing offseason in 2010. They didn't just do something in 2011, they did big things. The two trades they made before Christmas for Mat Latos and Sean Marshall were bold strokes.

While you can argue the merits of either, you can't argue that they make the club better for 2012.

Latos should stabilize the rotation, and Marshall the bullpen.

But the Reds would be wise to do more.

Understandably, not a lot happened this week with the holidays.

"I've spoken to some agents and some clubs," Reds general manager Walt Jocketty said. "But everyone kind of shuts it down until after the first of the year."

When the Reds reconvene on Tuesday, the agenda remains the same:

&#; Get a closer

&#; Get an outfield bat

&#; Strengthen the bench

In that order.

As far as a closer, it's looking like it's going to be Francisco Cordero or an internal solution.

Cordero's agent was among those Jocketty spoke to this week.

"We've made an offer," he said. "He's deciding what to do. He's got a couple of other offers.""