"If the Reds were going to get involved in the free agent market, it was for bargain shopping. So far, those prices don't exist.

Shortstop Juan Uribe, who hit .248 last year for the San Francisco Giants, signed a three-year, $21 million deal with the Dodgers. Left-hander Jorge De La Rosa re-upped with the Colorado Rockies at $21.5 million over two years. De La Rosa went 8-7 with 4.22 ERA last year.

"That's why we aren't getting involved," Reds general manager Walt Jocketty said. The contract that could cause trouble for the Reds is Troy Tulowitzki's seven-year extension (through 2020) with the Rockies for a total of $134 million.

Jocketty said he's had preliminary discussions with the agents for Joey Votto and Jay Bruce about multi-year deals. Tulowitzki's money could come into play, particularly with Votto.

"It probably will to some extent," Jocketty said. "It's a different situation. They already had him signed for three years. They thought it was important for the long-term security of the team and player to extend it. We're not in the position to do that."

Jocketty has been surprised by the money being thrown around.

"They (deals) seem a little higher than I expected," Jocketty said. "I don't like to comment on what other teams do. Some teams find it harder to attract free agents. They pay more because of that.""