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CINCINNATI -- With the General Managers Meetings taking place now in Orlando,
Fla., it's a week in which Reds GM Walt Jocketty is putting out feelers and
laying the groundwork for potential deals.
The Reds, coming off a National League Central title and featuring a roster
that's expected to have low turnover, aren't a club with a long list of
needs. Addressing the top of the order remains one of the front office's main
priorities.
"We've been talking to clubs and looking for a potential leadoff hitter, and
maybe someone to improve our bench," Jocketty said by phone on Tuesday night.
"There's not a great deal to do, but we're talking a lot.
"Generally, we talk to clubs before we come down and follow up here with
discussions. We, hopefully, finish what we start [here] at the Winter
Meetings. I don't know if we'll find a [leadoff hitter] or not."
Jocketty has also focused on negotiating deals with his club's own free
agents. The Reds re-signed catcher Ramon Hernandez to a one-year, $3 million
contract on Monday, and talks are ongoing with Arthur Rhodes' agent in an
effort to bring back the left-handed reliever.
As a possible alternative to Rhodes, the Reds last week claimed lefty
Hisanori Takahashi off unconditional waivers after he was let go by the Mets.
The Reds and Takahashi were unable to get a deal done within the five-day
limit, and the left-hander became a free agent on Friday.
Takahashi was believed to be seeking a three-year contract worth $3 million
to $4 million annually. The Reds are still open to trying to sign him.
"You've got to keep your options open," Jocketty said about Cincinnati's
lefty reliever situation. "We talked to his people and other clubs about
possible trades in case we aren't able to bring Arthur back."
So far, the Reds have not yet had any serious talks with arbitration-eligible
first baseman Joey Votto.
"We've talked to them but haven't made a proposal," Jocketty said. "We expect
that they wanted to wait until after next week."
Votto is a candidate for the National League Most Valuable Player Award,
which will be revealed on Monday.
In other news, Jocketty is among GMs in favor of recommending to MLB
Commissioner Allan H. "Bud" Selig that the current playoff system be expanded
to allow for a second Wild Card team in each league.
"It's still an idea being discussed -- it would be good for the game if we
get more teams involved,"
Jocketty said. "We'll see."
The GM Meetings conclude on Thursday with their inclusion in the final
quarterly Owners Meetings of the year.
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※ 編輯: a0184030 來自: 140.112.244.86 (11/18 02:19)