Cincinnati Reds
Jocketty: 'we're not out shopping players'
By C. Trent Rosecrans, CNATI.com Posted November 16, 2009 6:32 PM ET
Reds general manager Walt Jocketty said widespread reports that the team was cutting payroll and shopping veterans have been blown out of proportion.
"We're not sure what our payroll is going to be," Jocketty said on Monday. "Our final budget process won't be done until mid-December. We have a general idea. It's going to be similar to what we had."
He added reports that the team was exploring trades of players from Aaron Harang to Francisco Cordero to Bronson Arroyo to Brandon Phillips to Joey Votto simply weren't true.
"We're not out shopping players," Jocketty said. "We may do some things later to improve the club, but we're not shopping our players."
On Monday, the Reds started that process by re-signing catcher Ramon Hernandez to a one-year deal worth a reported $3 million, with a vesting option for 2011 if he plays in 120 games. Hernandez played in 81 games for the Reds last season, hitting .258/.336/.362 with five hom runs and 37 RBIs. Hernandez has played in more than 120 games six times, twice since 2003 and most recently in 2008 for Baltimore. The Reds declined an $8.5 million option on Hernandez and incorporated his $1 million buyout into his new contract.
The team also has Ryan Hanigan behind the plate. Hanigan hit .263/.361/.331 in 90 games for the Reds last season.
"I think with the two of them we have a nice complement of catchers, I was impressed with our guys offensive and defensively," Jocketty said. "If Ramon had stayed healthy, our catching would have stayed among the best in the league."
The team still has decide whether to offer arbitration to outfielders Jonny Gomes and Laynce Nix. The deadline is Dec. 12.
Jocketty was asked if the decision could be influenced just as much by the roster as it is the financial aspects of the arbitration process with those two players.
"Right now, it could be a roster," Jocketty said. "We've got a lot of guys we've go tot protect. We've got a lot of guys who are ready for the big leagues."
Among those could be outfield prospect Chris Heisey, who has played well in the Arizona Fall League. Heisey is hitting .287/.374/.586 with five home runs and 14 RBIs in Arizona.
He said shortstop Zach Cozart has left the Arizona Fall League due to a thumb injury and pitcher Logan Ondrusek left the league due to fatigue. Overall, Jocketty's been pleased with the reports from Arizona.
"Our guys have played well and I've gotten great reports," Jocketty said. "All the scouts I've talked to liked our guys, most of them do."
* The team also announced more of its minor league coaching staffs. The entire Louisville staff returns, with manager Rick Sweet, hitting coach Adrian Garrett and pitching coach Ted Power. Class A Lynchburg will be managed by Pat Kelly, Tony Jaramillo is the hitting coach and Rico Beltran the pitching coach. Delino DeShields will manage rookie league Billings with help from hitting coach Alex Pelaez and pitching coach Bob Forsch. Rookie Arizona League Goodyear's coaching staff will consist of manager Julio Garcia, pitching coach Tom Browning and hitting coach Jorge Orta.
Categories: Cincinnati Reds, Featured Stories, News
Tags: Aaron Harang, Brandon Phillips, Bronson Arroyo, Chris Heisey, Francisco Cordero, Logan Ondrusek, Ramon Hernandez, Walt Jocketty, Zack Cozart
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