The Reds' trade for infielder Wilson Valdez was not to protect them in 19-inning games, but it can't hurt. Valdez pitched a scoreless 19th for Philadelphia to earn a victory against the Reds on May 25.
The Reds traded left-hander Jeremy Horst to Philly to get Valdez.
Valdez is the utility infielder who can play shortstop that the Reds were seeking.
Valdez, 33, hit .249/.294/.341 in 273 at bats for the Phillies last year. He played 45 games at second, 25 at shortstop, 24 at third base and, of course, pitched once.
"We like his versatility," Reds general manager Walt Jocketty said. "He's a guy who can play good defense at second, short or third. His offensive numbers aren't that good.
"But he's a guy who has hit well in tough situations, come up with big hits. And he's been part of a winning program."
Valdez is probably the last addition to the big league roster before spring training begins.
"The other thing we're trying to do is add depth as far as starting pitching and outfield," Jocketty said. "We may bring in some guys to compete for job. If they don't make it, they give us depth at Triple-A."
NOTES, QUOTES
Phillips not getting anxious about lack of extension talks
--2B Brandon Phillips isn't worried about talks or lack thereof on his contract extension. "To you the truth, I have no idea," Phillips said. "My agent hasn't called me yet to tell me anything. I'm not really worried about it. Hopefully, they've done a good job making the team better. I'm going to have my day. I'm not really tripping about it. I would be nice to have it."
--RHP Jose Arredondo agreed to a two-year contract, avoiding arbitration. Arredondo was the last unsigned, arbitration-eligible Red. He filed for $875,000; the Reds countered at $725,000.
--RHP Nick Masset agreed to a two-year, $5.4 million deal to avoid arbitration. Masset, 29, went 3-6 with 3.71 ERA last year. It was down year after going 10-5 with a .281 ERA in his first three years with the Reds. "He's worked really hard," general manager Walt Jocketty said. "He's got great stuff. With our bullpen depth, we'd like to rest him more from time to time. He's been good for us."
--LHP Jeff Francis signed a minor league contract with the Reds with an invite to camp. Francis went 6-16 with a 4.82 ERA with Kansas City last year. Francis, who had shoulder surgery in 2009 and missed the season, did not miss a start in 2011.
--OF Willie Harris, 33, signed a minor league deal with an invite to spring training. Harris hit .246 with a .351 on-base percentage with the Mets last year.
BY THE NUMBERS: 40 -- Players the Reds had on the 40-man roster as of Jan. 27. That was what kept the club from officially announcing the signing of OF Ryan Ludwick.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "You want to win every year. But we're doing everything we can to bolster this ballclub to where it's going to be a postseason team." -- Reds' owner Bob Castellini.
ROSTER REPORT
The Reds did very little last offseason, but that is not the case this winter. After a lot of effort to land a top starting pitcher, they finally snagged Mat Latos from San Diego. They also added closer Ryan Madson to replace Francisco Cordero.
ARRIVALS: LHP Sean Marshall (trade with Cubs), RHP Mat Latos (trade with Padres), RHP Ryan Madson (free agent from Phillies), OF Ryan Ludwick (free agent from Pirates), OF/INF Willie Harris (minor league free agent from Mets), INF Wilson Valdez (trade with Phillies), LHP Jeff Francis (minor league free agent from Royals).
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), RHP Francisco Cordero (free agent, signed with Blue Jays), LHP Jeremy Horst (traded to Phillies).
FREE AGENTS: SS Edgar Renteria.
ARBITRATION-ELIGIBLE: RHP Jose Arredondo.
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.
