Cincinnati Reds News

Aroldis Chapman: Reds or Bats?
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March 13
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"Aroldis Chapman was missing with his slider. "I was not finishing up my slider," Chapman said through an interpreter. "I was not happy." His fastball wasn't much better. "His fastball was sailing out of the zone," Reds manager Dusty Baker said. So Chapman went with the third option: His changeup. Chapman managed to get through two scoreless innings in the Reds' 3-2 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers Friday. The 22-year-old Cuban left-hander continues to make the transition to professional baseball in the U.S. look easy. Chapman retired the heart of the Dodgers order - Andre Eithier, Matt Kemp and Casey Blake - in the sixth, throwing nearly all changeups on a popup, strikeout swinging, ..."
Guest Larkin dusts off No. 11
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March 12
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"Barry Larkin will slip into a Reds uniform Friday for the first time since retiring as a player. It will feel good. "I have so many Reds uniforms at home," Larkin said. "I was looking at them before I came out here. I remember after I retired, I had a Nationals uniform with No. 11 - before Ryan Zimmerman was 11 - I couldn't put it on. It will be very comfortable putting the Reds uniform on." Larkin arrived in Reds camp Thursday for a 10-day run as a guest instructor. Larkin had been estranged from the organization since his retirement. He spent three years working for the Nationals. Last year he was no longer under contract with Washington but he did not come to Reds camp. Part of that was ..."
Reds' Heisey follows a different arc
Comment
March 12
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"All the other rookies in the mix to make the Reds this year come with the usual pedigree. They were drafted high, received big bonuses and were fast-tracked through the system. Not Chris Heisey. Heisey was a 17th-round pick in 2006 out of that baseball powerhouse Messiah College in Grantham, Pa. He was happy to get playing time at Billings after he signed. But Heisey has climbed to No. 4 on Baseball America's list of Reds prospects with his performance. He's in his first big league camp and in the running for an outfield job. "It's going well," Heisey said. "It's obviously better than being in minor league camp. I'm having fun and trying to learn as much as possible, and trying to perform ..."
In Aroldis Chapman, Reds hope they've found a southpaw Strasburg
Comment
March 12
Washington Post
 
"Other than the facts that one throws with his right hand and the other with his left, that one is Californian and the other is Cuban, that one just got married and the other just left behind his entire family, and that one honeymooned in Kauai while the other defected in the Netherlands, Stephen Strasburg and Aroldis Chapman could be the same man, or at the very least the mirror image of each other as pitchers. It could be quite a conversation, were they ever to get together (and find a way to bridge the language barrier). Because Strasburg and Chapman, despite the obvious differences in cultures and handedness, have plenty of shared attributes and experiences: 100-mph fastballs, ..."
Feels like home to rookie pitcher Leake
Comment
March 11
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"Mike Leake was leaning against the dugout rail before Wednesday's game against the Los Angeles Angels when someone approached him. "You're probably big here in Tempe, Mike." "Yeah, I'm Godzilla," he said. He delivered the line with a cool deadpan. "He's cool, real cool," Reds manager Dusty Baker said. Leake pitched like a cool monster in the Reds' 6-0 victory over the Angels. He pitched two scoreless innings, allowing a hit and a walk while striking out one. The performance came just down the road from Arizona State, where Leake starred before the Reds made him their No. 1 pick in last June's draft. "It was good to do that in my second hometown," Leake said. More importantly, it was good ..."
Pitcher oblivious to Chap-mania
Comment
March 11
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"The best thing about Aroldis Chapman is that he doesn't understand English. Beyond the radar gun-busting fastball and the slider that makes hitters want to take up cricket, more than the bloated adulation of a phee-nom in March, is this: He doesn't understand a word of it. He doesn't know what's going on. Chapman did not read that a scout compared him to Lefty Grove. He did not see a column in a Chicago paper that began, "I have seen the future of pitching ..." Chap-mania is sweeping the Valley of the Sun. The object of its affection has no clue. Aroldis Chapman, late of Cuba, shows up every day smiling at his Disney World surroundings. He is amazed at the uniform greenness of the grass ..."
Harang hardly fretting bad outing
Comment
March 10
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"Right-hander Aaron Harang did not have a good outing Tuesday. He allowed three runs on four hits in 11/3 innings against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Goodyear Stadium. Harang was supposed to go three innings. "I felt like I throwing some good pitches early on," Harang said. "... I was falling away. I'd get ahead and miss up and pull off a slider and bury it too much. It's nothing to be concerned about." Harang, coming off a 6-14 season, is in the process of reworking his mechanics. "Overall I'm happy with it," he said. "But it has to do with arm slot. I need some fine-tuning. It was the way I pitched so long. Then to change it is not going to work overnight. I still got some stuff to work ..."
Buzz growing for Chapman
Comment
March 10
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"If you were finalizing the Reds' roster right now, it would be hard to leave rookie left-hander Aroldis Chapman off of it. "Yes, it would," general manager Walt Jocketty said. Jocketty is well aware of the buzz Chapman, the 21-year-old Cuban, has created with his 100 mph fastball. Chapman's performance in his first outing Monday against Kansas City was overpoweringly impressive. He was good in last week's intra- squad game as well. "We can't let one or two outings sway our decision," Jocketty said. But is there a chance he'll be on the Opening Day squad? "It's too early to determine," Jocketty said. "You know that. I know you have to ask." Pitching coach Bryan Price doesn't rule it out, ..."
Homer Bailey is all grown up
Comment
March 9
Cincinnati Enquirer
 columnist Paul Daugherty
"There comes a time when it all comes together, or doesn't. Quantcast Success happens for a pitching phenom when "the arm remains strong (and) the head catches up,'' as Dusty Baker puts it. If the proverbial 10-cent head rises to meet the million-dollar arm, anything's possible. It's an assumption to say that's where Homer Bailey is now. But not a big one. We've been taking Bailey's emotional temperature for three springs at least, ever since it became possible he'd be pitching in Cincinnati at some point in the summertime. We looked for signs of mental growth, because the physical gifts were so obvious. One spring, Homer was "defensive'' or "surly.'' The next, he was "approachable'' ..."
Arroyo baffles six batters he faces
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March 9
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"A 15-game winner's spring debut usually merits attention, but Bronson Arroyo was merely the opening act for Aroldis Chapman Monday. Arroyo put on a good show, retiring all six batters he faced. "First time out, I was comfortable," he said. "I had a good changeup and a good breaking ball. Everything was working." "I had no idea how hard I was throwing but I had pretty good command." Arroyo was almost throwing too well for his own good. He only threw 26 pitches. "I was actually glad the last guy fouled off a few so I could pump in a couple of fastballs and at least get sore," Arroyo said. "Getting built up is definitely more important than the results right now. "I think I'm coming back on ..."
Reds rookie throws heat in exhibition debut
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March 9
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"The report that Aroldis Chapman hit 102 mph on the radar gun apparently was exaggerated. Quantcast He merely hit 100. "I'll take 100 with command," Reds manager Dusty Baker said. Especially on March 8. Chapman's spring debut was impressive, indeed. The rookie left-hander pitched two innings in relief of Bronson Arroyo in the Reds' 14-5 victory over the Kansas City Royals at Goodyear Stadium. Chapman allowed a hit to the first batter he faced and walked the third. But he struck out three of the last four batters. The most impressive sequence was against Chris Getz to lead off the fourth. Chapman fell behind 2-0. Then he threw a 94 mph fastball, followed by 96 and 100 to strike out Getz ..."
Reds Chapman throws heat in exhibition debut
Comment
March 9
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"The report that Aroldis Chapman hit 102 mph on the radar gun apparently was exaggerated. He merely hit 100. "I'll take 100 with command," Reds manager Dusty Baker said. Especially on March 8. Chapman's spring debut was impressive, indeed. The rookie left-hander pitched two innings in relief of Bronson Arroyo in the Reds' 14-5 victory over the Kansas City Royals at Goodyear Stadium. Chapman allowed a hit to the first batter he faced and walked the third. But he struck out three of the last four batters. The most impressive sequence was against Chris Getz to lead off the fourth. Chapman fell behind 2-0. Then he threw a 94 mph fastball, followed by 96 and 100 to strike out Getz looking."
Lefty Maloney looks good in first outing
Comment
March 8
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"For left-hander Matt Maloney, pitching 1 2/3 innings of scoreless baseball in the spring opener was an important first step. "I'm very happy," Maloney said. "It was a different situation than I'm used to coming in. But I was happy to come in in relief to show some versatility." Maloney's outing was particularly important because he struggled in his previous springs in big league camp. He had a 12.00 ERA in three outings last spring. Two years ago, he was 0-1 with a 24.35 ERA. "That was the plan (this time) going in to go out and not over do it," Maloney said. "Do my job out there. It worked out well." Over doing it was Maloney's problem in previous springs. "In my first two camps, I came ..."
Selig visits as Tribe beats Reds
Comment
March 7
Akron Beacon Journal
 
"It was a banner day at the ballpark: The Indians beat the Cincinnati Reds 4-2 Saturday; Bob Feller threw out the first pitch attired in (gasp) blue jeans; a couple of team mascots roamed the grandstand, and Commissioner Bud Selig showed up. Selig, making a tour of spring training venues, had never seen Goodyear Ballpark. ''It's just amazing,'' he said. ''I couldn't have imagined being in all these spring-training venues.'' Selig began his baseball career in 1970 as owner of the Milwaukee Brewers, who are in their third Arizona spring training home.'' Major League Baseball is in the midst of a period of relative calm after dealing with steroid and amphetamine scandals. But the recent bust ..."
Cleveland Indians breeze past Reds 4-2 behind Andy Marte's home run and solid pitching
Comment
March 7
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"Andy Marte homered in the second inning and the Indians' pitching handcuffed the Reds for the second consecutive game as the Tribe won, 4-2, Saturday. "Another well-pitched game here and we're happy because that's what we want to see," manager Manny Acta said. "You don't get many spring training games in Arizona where you allow only two runs." David Huff, who went 11-8 with a 5.61 ERA a year ago, started for the Indians and pitched two scoreless innings. The Tribe jumped on Cincinnati pitcher Johnny Cueto with two runs in the first. Thirty-nine-year-old Mark Grudzielanek doubled in leadoff hitter Michael Brantley, who had reached on an error, for the Indians' first run. "He did today what ..."
Indians beat Reds 4-2 for second win in a row: Cleveland Indians spring training briefing
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March 7
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"This is a daily briefing of the Indians' second spring training in Goodyear, Ariz. We're at 30 days and counting until the regular season opens April 5 in Chicago. Follow me on twitter.com/hoynsie for daily updates and observations. Day 14: The workout starts at 9:30 a.m. MT (11:30 a.m. EST) at the Indians player development complex. They will play Cincinnati in Cactus League play at 1:05 p.m. MT (3:05 p.m. EST) at Goodyear Ballpark. In this corner: David Huff will face Cincinnati's Johnny Cueto. Huff will be followed by Mitch Talbot, Hector Ambriz, Tony Sipp, Jess Todd, Jensen Lewis, Mike Gosling, Jeanmar Gomez and Kelvin De La Cruz. Today's lineups: Manny Acta will go with this lineup ..."
Cueto gets his work in
Comment
March 7
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"Johnny Cueto wasn't the dominating pitcher Saturday that he's been the last two springs. But not to worry, Cueto said. "I'm working on my curveball," the right-hander said. "But I feel good about where I am." Cueto, 23, pitched two innings, allowing four runs (two earned) on five hits. He struck out four and walked one. "He threw the ball good," Reds manager Dusty Baker said. "After we made the error, that opened the gates. He was working on his change and his cutter. He made some quality pitches, but he got some balls in the heart of the plate." In an effort to keep Cueto strong through the latter part of the season he skipped winter ball. Baker didn't expect him to be as sharp from the ..."
Selig: Reds deserve an All-Star Game
Comment
March 7
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"Commissioner Bud Selig visited Goodyear Ballpark for the first time Saturday. Reds owner Bob Castellini used the occasion to lobby for an All-Star Game. ""Yes, it's under consideration," Selig said. "We try to be as fair as we can. You have a lot of teams with new stadiums. All-Star Games were a part of that. "Cincinnati deserves one and we'll work on it." The soonest the Reds, who last hosted in 1988, could get a game probably is 2014. The 2010 game will be in Anaheim, 2011 in Arizona, 2012 in Kansas City. The New York Mets are favorites for 2013."
Cuban defector Chapman, 22, sparks hope for Reds
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March 6
USA Today
 
"Cincinnati Reds pitcher Johnny Cueto, the father of three young kids, was extolling the joys of having a family when he asked new teammate Aroldis Chapman six lockers away about his relatives.Chapman, a left-hander who signed a six-year, $30.25 million contract seven months after defecting in July, said his family stayed in his native Cuba. "You don't have anybody here?" asked Cueto, who hails from the Dominican Republic. "No, I'm by myself here." "You have to bring your family. It's good to be with your family, your mom. Do you have any kids?" "A girl. I haven't met her." "You haven't met her?" "No, because she was born right when I was leaving.""
Too tired to talk, but Rafael Perez still shines in Cleveland Indians 9-2 drubbing of Cincinnati Reds
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March 6
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"Rafael Perez said he was too tired to talk. There are probably a lot of Indians fans in Cleveland who were tired of watching him pitch last year, but with Friday being the first day of the Cactus League season, let us dwell on the positive. The Indians beat the Reds, their new neighbors, in the exhibition opener for both teams, 9-2, at Goodyear Ballpark. The victory came in front of a cast of former Reds greats, including elements of the Big Red Machine. It was Reds' home game, and they scored points with their fans and the Cactus League with their pregame presentation. What they didn't do was score many points during the game. The Indians pitching staff, a question within a question for ..."
New chapter for Reds phenom
Comment
March 6
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"Reds pitcher Johnny Cueto, the father of three young kids, was extolling the joys of having a family when he asked new teammate Aroldis Chapman six lockers away about his relatives. Chapman, a left-hander who signed a six-year, $30.25 million contract seven months after defecting in July, said his family stayed in his native Cuba. "You don't have anybody here?" asked Cueto, who hails from the Dominican Republic. "No, I'm by myself here." "You have to bring your family. It's good to be with your family, your mom. Do you have any kids?" "A girl. I haven't met her." "You haven't met her?" "No, because she was born right when I was leaving." Then the starting pitchers, centerpieces of the ..."
Scott Rolen, Orlando Cabrera lead for Reds
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March 6
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"Reds manager Dusty Baker said his two veterans, Scott Rolen and Orlando Cabrera, both lead, but their styles are different. "(Cabrera's) a leader that doesn't mind leading," Baker said. "A lot of leaders are pushed to leadership. He's vocal. He believes he's a winner and he believes he can help us win. He believes where he goes some kind of way winning follows." "He's vocal, Scott's not. With Scott, you've got to figure out what he's saying. He'll say something that will ignite your thought process. Most of the time, it's pretty profound." Brandon Phillips gives Rolen credit for leadership. "It's easier if you have a player or two who can show you or tell you," Baker said. Cabrera is 35 ..."
Reds prospect Todd Frazier plunked by Aroldis Chapman pitch
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March 5
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"The thing major-league managers fear most about an intrasquad game happened Thursday, right before Reds manager Dusty Baker's eyes. Top prospect Todd Frazier had to be helped off of the field after being struck on the right knee by a 95 mph fastball thrown by left-hander Aroldis Chapman. "We don't know yet how bad it is," Baker said just after the five-inning intrasquad game, the Reds' first time on the field at their new spring home, Goodyear Ballpark. "It hit him right on the bone, not the muscle." Frazier, who is battling for a roster spot as an infielder or outfielder, had surgery on his other knee earlier in his career. Chapman, the pitching phenom who signed with the Reds in January, ..."
Aroldis Chapman electric but wild for Reds
Comment
March 5
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"The second inning of Thursday's otherwise meaningless, five-inning intrasquad tune-up between a team of Reds players in white pants and another in gray might have been the most eagerly anticipated inning in the history of the team's spring training baseball. That was when Aroldis Chapman, the Cuban left-handed sensation, threw live for the first time in a game situation. It wasn't even a start - he threw the second inning, after Homer Bailey's scoreless first. "He kept the ball down, that was the best thing today," manager Dusty Baker said after the game, which was won by his white-pants Reds 4-2 over the gray-pants boys led by Louisville Bats manager Rick Sweet. "He's making progress." ..."
Aroldis Chapman electric but wild for Reds
Comment
March 5
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"The second inning of Thursday's otherwise meaningless, five-inning intrasquad tune-up between a team of Reds players in white pants and another in gray might have been the most eagerly anticipated inning in the history of the team's spring training baseball. That was when Aroldis Chapman, the Cuban left-handed sensation, threw live for the first time in a game situation. It wasn't even a start - he threw the second inning, after Homer Bailey's scoreless first. "He kept the ball down, that was the best thing today," manager Dusty Baker said after the game, which was won by his white-pants Reds 4-2 over the gray-pants boys led by Louisville Bats manager Rick Sweet. "He's making progress.""
Chapman to make debut on Monday
Comment
March 4
MLB.com
 
"Cuban left-hander Aroldis Chapman is scheduled to make his Cactus League debut for the Reds on Monday against the Royals. Homer Bailey will start the game for Cincinnati with Chapman expected to come out of the bullpen. "Down here it doesn't matter. One thing at a time," manager Dusty Baker said of the decision not to start Chapman. "Plus, if we pitch him later, fans will stick around and drink more beer," Baker joked. "You didn't know I was in marketing, did you?""
Jared Burton looks to bounce back
Comment
March 4
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"Having the 2007 and '08 version of Jared Burton all year would be a boost to the Reds' bullpen. Burton, the 28-year-old right-hander, went 1-0 with a 4.40 ERA last year. Not awful, but Burton was 4-2 with a 2.51 ERA in 2007 and 5-1 with a 3.22 ERA in 2008. Burton struggled mightily early. He had a 6.33 ERA through 20 games when the Reds optioned him to Triple-A Louisville. In a bizarre twist, he never went to the Bats because Edinson Volquez went on the disabled list. Burton made nine appearances and put up a 2.19 ERA before being optioned again. He returned to Reds and made two more appearances before going on the DL with shoulder fatigue. Burton went through a battery of tests before it ..."
Reds' Aaron Harang gets Opening Day nod
Comment
March 4
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"When it came down to naming an Opening Day starter, the Reds basically went to Aaron Harang and Bronson Arroyo and said: Work it out between yourselves. It didn't go quite that way, but it might as well have. "We wrestled with it big time," Reds manager Dusty Baker said. "I talked to Arroyo and talked to Harang both. ... Harang is throwing the ball great . . . he's the best choice." Last year's numbers favor Arroyo, who went 15-13 with a 3.84 ERA. Harang went 6-14 with a 4.21 ERA. "That probably won't be a popular decision," Baker said. But it was clear Harang wanted the start more. "I went in and told Bake: 'I want the ball. If you're giving it to anybody, I want it,' " Harang said. "It ..."
Reds name Opening Day starting pitcher
Comment
March 3
Dayton Daily News
 
"Right-handed pitcher Aaron Harang will be the Reds' Opening Day starter for the fifth straight season, the club announced today, March 3. With the start, Harang will tie a Reds record for consecutive Opening Day starts. Pete Donohue (1923-27) and Mario Soto (1982-86) also started five straight. Soto holds the club record with six overall Opening Day starts. Cincinnati's 2010 opener is Monday, April 5, at 1:10 p.m. against the St. Louis Cardinals."
Hendricks, API reach settlement
Comment
March 3
SI.com
 
"Hendricks Sports Management, agents for Cincinnati Reds pitcher Aroldis Chapman, has reached an out-of-court settlement with Athletes Premier International, the pitcher's original representatives, a league source told SI.com on Tuesday. Edwin Mejia, president of Athletes Premier International (API), filed suit in Massachusetts Superior Court last December against Hendricks Sports Management for "malicious interference" and "unjust enrichment," among other claims, in what API considered to be the luring of Chapman away from his original agency. Chapman, a Cuban left-hander with a reported 100-mph fastball, was considered one of the most valuable free agents on the market this past ..."
Yonder Alonso's best position? At the plate
Comment
March 2
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"Yonder Alonso is willing to catch, play third base, play left field or right field. Alonso, the Reds' top draft pick in 2008, is a first baseman. But he knows Joey Votto isn't going anywhere, so Alonso is willing to move. "I'll do whatever I can to get on the field," he said, "as long as I'm hitting. Any way I can to help the team win. Give Joey a day off. Give Scottie (Rolen) a day off. Play left a day. Give a day off to Jay (Bruce)." Reds general manager Walt Jocketty said the club will give Alonso a chance to play. "We'll play him at third and in left," Jocketty said. "We'll see how he plays there. I don't see Joey moving." The question is whether Alonso could become skilled enough at ..."
Reds' Frazier almost too versatile
Comment
March 2
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"While the Reds are looking for a position -- other than first base -- that Yonder Alonso can play, they've got the opposite problem with Todd Frazier. With Frazier, it's a matter of narrowing it down to one. He can play all four infield positions as well as left and right field. "He's an interesting guy," Reds manager Dusty Baker said. "He can play all over, and he has a real good bat. Hopefully, at some point in time, we settle on a position for him - a steady position." Frazier has been all over the place during camp. "It's enjoyable - to be honest," Frazier said. "I still don't know what position they want me at. It's kind of cool bouncing around. Tony Phillips says, 'Hey, Fraze get ..."
Lincoln to get first spring start for Reds
Comment
March 1
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"The Reds will get a quick look at Mike Lincoln as a starter. Lincoln will start Friday's exhibition opener against the Indians. It will be Lincoln's first start at any level since 2001. "We want to see how he handles time to prepare and warm up and think about it," Reds manager Dusty Baker said. "He knows how to warm up as a reliever. Some guys handle getting up quick to warm up than they do having a day or two to think about it. "That's all part of the adjustment period." So far, the transition hasn't been a big deal. "It hasn't been any different yet," Lincoln said. "You just throw for so many minutes. I'm sure as soon as I start throwing some more innings, I'll notice it." The Reds ..."
Your morning Phil: Chapman, Bradley, Piniella
Comment
February 27
Chicago Tribune
 
"Talking baseball while celebrating 78 spring-training games on the MLB Network: 1. No player is generating more buzz than Aroldis Chapman, the Cuban laser launcher signed by the Reds last winter. Imagine the noise if he had signed with the Mets or Dodgers instead of Cincinnati. This time last season, Chapman was getting ready for the World Baseball Classic with Cuba. He did not dominate in that event, but opened eyes with his 100-mph fastball and advanced development, prompting one long-time scout to call him the best pitching prospect he'd ever seen. Chapman's first round of live batting practice was an event, even in the remote destination of Goodyear, Ariz. The Cincinnati Enquirer's ..."
Jay Bruce looks to build on late success for Cincinnati Reds
Comment
February 26
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"Jay Bruce would not recommend snapping both bones in your wrist as a learning tool. But he admits it probably helped him. "I learned a lot," he said. "It may have let me catch my breath a little. But I don't necessarily know if that's the reason I was successful. It definitely didn't hurt. I think I made the best of it. That's my goal with everything - take it as it comes and make the best of everything I can." Bruce is referring to the eight weeks he spent on the disabled list last season after breaking his right (non-throwing) wrist trying to make a catch in New York July 11. Bruce was hitting .207 when the injury occurred. "He was in that funnel," Reds manager Dusty Baker said. "All ..."
Reds not letting Aroldis Chapman get lost in translation
Comment
February 26
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"When Tony Fossas took a call from Reds player development director Terry Reynolds, it came as no surprise. Fossas, after all, is Cuban and works for the team that had just signed Aroldis Chapman, a Cuban left-hander, for $30 million. "Actually when they signed him, I kind of expected something to happen, but not to the extent it has," Fossas said. Fossas, who is the pitching coach for the Single-A Dayton Dragons, has been Chapman's guide, interpreter and adviser since the signing. "He's been terrific," general manager Walt Jocketty said. "It's a big help. It's eased our minds. Tony's been coaching a long time, plus being Cuban he's helped with the cultural side." Fossas lives in the Miami ..."
Reds can be patient with young pitchers
Comment
February 25
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"A few years ago, Mike Leake and Travis Wood would have been much more than an afterthought when it came to the race for the starting rotation. The Reds have long been a pitching challenged club. But this year - with the first four spots in the rotation set and some veteran candidates for the fifth spot - they can afford to be patient with their young prospects. "I think you can afford to do it even if you don't have depth - for their sake," Reds manager Dusty Baker said. "If it was determined they were ready, it would be no problem. But that's rare. They've got to go pitch." Leake, the 22-year-old right-hander, was the club's No. 1 pick in last year's draft. His pro experience is limited ..."
Aroldis Chapman befuddles Reds hitters
Comment
February 25
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"Another step, another impressive session by Aroldis Chapman. Chapman, the 21-year-old Cuban left-hander, faced batters for the first time since going the Reds. As Chris Burke, on the hitters who faced him, joked: "This kid's got a nice repertoire. Someone should sign him." The Reds, of course, did sign Chapman for $30.25 million. Six days into camp, they've seen nothing to make them question their investment. In the 10-minute session, Chris Heisey was the only hitter to make solid contact. He lined one to right that would have been a single. "Chapman looked very good, very comfortable against hitters," general manager Walt Jocketty said. "He threw a lot of strikes. His slider was pretty ..."
Gomes among Reds' left field candidates
Comment
February 24
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"The signing of Jonny Gomes gave the Reds a right-handed power hitter who can play left field. It did not end the competition for the job, however. "(Left is) going to work itself out," Reds manager Dusty Baker said. "Gomes has been in the mix the whole time. We just had to come to terms." Baker said Chris Dickerson, Josh Anderson, Chris Heisey, Wladimir Balentien, Danny Dorn and Laynce Nix are all in the competition for left field. "I don't know much about Anderson. I'm curious about Heisey," Baker said. Anderson, Dorn and Nix are left-handed hitters in camp on minor league deals. Dickerson is also a left-handed hitter. He's probably the front-runner for left-handed at-bats based on his ..."
Joey Votto returns to Reds relaxed, ready
Comment
February 24
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"When you ask Joey Votto about his offseason, he gives you a polite "fine, thank you." But the Reds first baseman knows you want to know more. His battle with anxiety and depression that caused him to miss 31 games was a huge factor in the Reds' success or lack thereof last season. Votto says he had no incidents after last season – his panic attacks led to hospital visits last year – but he wouldn't say he's past all of his problems. "A lot of people want miracles," he said. "Life's not like that. I'm making progress. I'm going in the right direction." This is something Votto will probably have to deal with for years. "He's going to deal with it for a while," manager Dusty Baker said. "I'm ..."
Aaron Boone joins ESPN as analyst
Comment
February 23
ESPN.com
 
"For Aaron Boone, Tuesday signaled the formal end to his playing career and, at the same time, the launch of his role as an analyst of the game he played for 12 major league seasons. Boone announced his retirement from Major League Baseball and will debut as part of ESPN's "Baseball Tonight" panel starting in March. He also will make select appearances on ESPN as a game analyst. "It is with a sense of pride, sadness, and enthusiasm that I formally announce my retirement after 16 years of professional baseball," Boone said. "It has been a privilege and honor to have played in the major leagues for 12 seasons for six different clubs. "While it's tough to leave the game as a player, I am eager ..."
Aaron Miles hopes familiarity with Cincinnati Reds breeds success
Comment
February 23
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"Players are generally shocked or at least surprised by trades. Not Aaron Miles. "No, I was told when Oakland acquired me that I'd possibly be traded," Miles said. "I was looking for the trade." It came when the A's sent Miles to the Reds in exchange for Willy Taveras and Adam Rosales. Miles, a 33-year-old switch-hitter, was happy to land where he did. "I know being with Walt Jocketty before and being with a team that's in the Central that they've seen me play and seen what I can do," Miles said. "It's easy to come here with some familiarity." Miles hit .185 in 157 at-bats with the Cubs."
Aroldis Chapman adjusts to life with Reds
Comment
February 23
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"Aroldis Chapman met the national media Monday. The Reds held a semi-formal press conference for the 21-year-old Cuban left-hander. About 30 reporters and camera people were there. Chapman, general manager Walt Jocketty, manager Dusty Baker and pitching coach Bryan Price spoke. Tony Fossas was there to interpret. "For lack of better word, Tony's been Aroldis' guardian since we signed him," Jocketty said. "He's really helped him." ere's the highlights: JOCKETTY: On a timetable: "We really don't have a timetable. I don't think it's good to have a timetable. You let him develop. We really don't know what he's capable of . . . Obviously, the sooner he gets to Cincinnati, the better for us. But ..."
Gomes gets his wish from Reds
Comment
February 23
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"It turned out that the wait was worth it for Jonny Gomes. He signed with the Reds Monday and got the major-league contract he was seeking. "I was pretty confident I'd end up with a major-league deal," Gomes said. "I'm starting to become established. I think I've proven myself at the major-league level. Coming back here, I was pretty confident, too, because I wanted to be back here." Gomes' deal is for $800,000. It includes a club option for 2011 at $1.75 million. It also fills a big need for the Reds: A right-handed power hitter."
Gomes reaches deal with Reds
Comment
February 22
MLB.com
 
"Reds full-squad workouts begin Tuesday, and it appears likely outfielder Jonny Gomes will be at the complex in time to participate. Gomes agreed to a one-year Major League contract with Cincinnati that includes a club option for 2011, pending the passing of his physical. He walked into the clubhouse Monday morning and said hello to players before going to see the medical staff. In 281 at-bats for Cincy last season, Gomes slugged 20 home runs while batting .267 with 51 RBIs and a .338 on-base percentage in 98 games. He was non-tendered on Dec. 12. Against left-handers last season, Gomes batted .307 compared to .244 against right-handers."
Gomes' decision due by Monday
Comment
February 22
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"Outfielder Jonny Gomes and the Reds had not reached a deal as of Sunday afternoon. "We should know by (Monday)," general manager Walt Jocketty said. "We would like it resolved by time the (position) players report." They report Tuesday. The Reds' offer is for a mnor league deal with an invite to big league camp. Gomes is reportedly exploring other opportunities as well. With full-squad workouts set to begin on Tuesday, Gomes would re-enter a group seeking to fill the vacancy in left field. If there were a platoon situation, he would be a good bet to take the right-handed hitter portion. Gomes batted .307 against left-handers compared to .244 against right-handers. Cincinnati's left-field ..."
Bailey hopes for carryover effect
Comment
February 22
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"After Sunday's workout ended, while other pitchers were relaxing or eating, Homer Bailey decided to do a little extra work. He went to one of the mounds in the batting cages and worked on his footwork. He wasn't throwing. He used a towel instead. "I was working on balance and follow-through," Bailey said. "The towel helps with resistance. It slows you down." Bailey, 23, a right-hander, had a breakthrough at the end of last season. He went 7-5 with a 4.53 ERA overall, but he was as good as anyone in the majors for the last five weeks of the season. He went 6-1 with a major-league best 1.70 ERA after Aug. 23. Still, he didn't come to spring training expecting a spot in the rotation to be ..."
Reds to have Gomes decision on Monday
Comment
February 21
MLB.com
 
"The mystery of whether or not outfielder Jonny Gomes will return to the Reds appears near a conclusion. "We'll know something by tomorrow," Reds general manager Walt Jocketty said on Sunday. "We have an offer on the table and we'd like him to be back. We're confident he will." The offer is for a Minor League deal with an invite to big league camp. Gomes was believed to be exploring other opportunities as well. With full-squad workouts set to begin on Tuesday, Gomes would re-enter a group seeking to fill the vacancy in left field. If there were a platoon situation, he would be a good bet to take the right-handed hitter portion."
Less stress for Cueto's young arm
Comment
February 21
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"The Reds are hoping less is more for Johnny Cueto. Cueto threw less this offseason in an effort to get more innings this season. Cueto, a 23-year-old right-hander, did not throw in winter ball at all. "I took it easy," he said. "… I think it will help me." Cueto started the season brilliantly last year. He was 8-4 with a 2.69 ERA after 16 starts. But he seemed to hit the wall at that point. He went 0-6 with a 10.64 ERA in his next eight starts. He went on the disabled list with inflammation in his right shoulder. The theory was that winter ball, the World Baseball Classic, spring training and the regular season put too much strain on Cueto's arm. So the Reds asked him not to play winter ..."