The Reds focused on improving their bullpen at last year's trading deadline. Apparently there's still work to be done.
Stanton
ESPN's Peter Gammons is reporting that Cincinnati and left-handed reliever Mike Stanton have agreed to a two-year contract.
ESPN.com's Jayson Stark reports that the contract also contains a vesting option for a third season.
Reds general manager Wayne Krivsky declined to confirm the deal. The Reds don't
discuss their talks with free agents until they have signed agreements.
The 39-year-old Stanton was 7-7 with eight saves and a 3.99 ERA in 82 appearances with the Nationals and Giants last season.
The Reds have been trying to upgrade their bullpen since the
middle of last season, making a flurry of moves that resulted in 18
players pitching in relief overall. After putting up a combined
5.16 earned run average in the first half, the retooled bullpen
went 15-11 with a 3.51 ERA in the second half, helping the Reds
stay in contention until the last week.
The bullpen is again a high priority in the offseason.
Left-handed closer Eddie Guardado, acquired from Seattle in one of
those midseason trades, had reconstructive elbow surgery in
September and won't be ready to pitch at the start of next season.
Stanton gives the Reds a proven option for late in games. He
went 3-5 with a 4.47 ERA in 56 games last season for Washington,
which traded him to San Francisco on July 28 for a minor league
pitcher. Stanton was 4-2 in 26 games for the Giants with eight
saves and a 3.09 ERA.
The left-hander also has pitched for Atlanta, Boston, Texas, the
Yankees and the Mets during his career.
The Reds also are trying to find a shortstop. Krivsky declined
to comment on reports that the Reds were close to an agreement with
Alex Gonzalez, who hit .255 with nine homers for Boston last
season.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.