The Reds are still in need of a closer. The club remains interested in incumbent Francisco Cordero, but the sides haven't been able to work out a deal.
The newest Red, Sean Marshall, could figure into the equation. The Reds didn't specifically obtain Marshall to close but ...
"It's a possibility," general manager Walt Jocketty said. "We're still talking with Cordero. If we don't sign him or acquire a closer, we have several guys who we feel can go to that role, and Sean would certainly be one of them."
Marshall would welcome the challenge.
"Am I comfortable closing? Absolutely," he said. "I had some chances last year when Carlos Marmol was struggling a little bit. I enjoyed it. That was a thrill for me. I enjoy being able to lock the game down. I'm more than comfortable in the closer role."
Marshall, 29, is a free agent after 2012 season. The Reds sent left-hander Travis Wood, outfielder Dave Sappelt and infielder Ronald Torreyes to Chicago in the deal.
So they'd like to get more than one year out of him.
"I have a very good working relationship with his representative Barry Meister," Jocketty said. "There are no guarantees, but we're going to do our best to sign him. Hopefully when Sean gets to Cincinnati and sees what a great place it is to play and what a great organization we have, he's going to want to stay for a while."
Marshall went 6-6 with a 2.26 ERA and five saves in 78 appearances. He struck out 79, walked 17 and allowed 66 hits in 75 2/3 innings. He allowed only one home run all year.
--RHP Josh Judy was claimed off waivers from the Cleveland Indians. Judy, 25, had a 7.04 ERA in 12 games with the Indians. He spent most of the year in Triple-A, where he was 6-2 with a 3.12 ERA and 23 saves. Judy has options remaining.
--RHP Andrew Brackman and the Reds agreed to a deal two weeks ago, but it still has not been announced. "I'm not sure why it's taking so long," general manager Walt Jocketty said.
--OF Denis Phipps is the fourth true outfielder now that Dave Sappelt has been traded. Phipps, 26, hit a combined .346/.397/.527 at Double-A and Triple-A last year. But he has played only 40 games above Triple-A.
--INF/OF Todd Frazier will be more in the outfield mix if the Reds don't add an outfielder. "Frazier's best position is left field, they tell me," general manager Walt Jocketty said. "They haven't seen him play there enough. (Juan) Francisco has played some in the outfield."
--LHP Aroldis Chapman is still scheduled to prepare as a starter in spring training, but he goes in as the sixth starter behind Johnny Cueto, newly acquired Mat Latos, Bronson Arroyo, Mike Leake and Homer Bailey. Bailey lines up as the fifth starter in that group, but he is out of options.
BY THE NUMBERS: .139 -- Combined average of Joey Votto (2-for-13), Jay Bruce (2-for-11) and Brandon Phillips (1-for-12) against newly acquired LHP Sean Marshall in their careers.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "I think after the first of the year, we'll take look at some things. We still want to address the bench and maybe left field." -- Reds general manager Walt Jocketty after the Sean Marshall trade.
ROSTER REPORT
The Reds did very little last offseason, but that was not likely to be the case this year -- and after a lot of effort to land a top starting pitcher, they finally snagged Mat Latos from San Diego.
ARRIVALS: LHP Sean Marshall (trade with Cubs), RHP Mat Latos (trade with Padres).
DEPARTURES: RHP Edinson Volquez, 1B Yonder Alonso, RHP Brad Boxberger and C Yasmani Grandal (traded to Padres); LHP Dontrelle Willis (free agent, signed with Phillies), C Ramon Hernandez (free agent, signed with Rockies), LHP Matt Maloney (waiver claim by Twins), LHP Travis Wood (traded to Cubs), OF Dave Sappelt (traded to Cubs).
FREE AGENTS: SS Edgar Renteria, RHP Francisco Cordero.
The Reds will likely allow Renteria to walk. They declined a $12 million option on Cordero but are still negotiating with him.
ARBITRATION-ELIGIBLE: RHP Homer Bailey, RHP Edinson Volquez, RHP Nick Masset, RHP Jose Arredondo, LHP Bill Bray, INF Paul Janish.
MEDICAL WATCH:
--3B Scott Rolen (left shoulder surgery in August 2011) was limited to 65 games in 2011. He is expected to be ready by spring training.
--SS Zack Cozart (Tommy John surgery on left elbow in August 2011) is expected to be ready by spring training.
