Cincinnati Reds Press Clippings December 4, 2015 THIS DAY IN REDS HISTORY 1988 - The Reds sign Rick Mahler of the Braves as a free-agent. Mahler would play two seasons in Cincinnati, going 16-19 with a 4.00 ERA during 355.1 innings pitched. MLB.COM Redsfest set to connect organization with fans By Mark Sheldon / MLB.com /
[email protected] / @m_sheldon CINCINNATI -- It takes more than several days to convert the Duke Energy Convention Center into a baseball paradise for Reds fans, and the finishing touches of that effort were being made Thursday for 2015 Redsfest this weekend. Work crews were assembling displays, booths, elements for the main stage and more. Analogically fitting, the Reds themselves have a roster that is being worked on this winter for a rebuilding effort into 2016 -- and stretching possibly into 2017. Cincinnati, which is coming off a 98-loss, last-place 2015 season, is actively exploring trades of some key players soon approaching free agency -- closer Aroldis Chapman is drawing plenty of interest -- as it focuses on the long term. Meanwhile, events like Redsfest, and the Reds Caravan in January, remain vital for the club to promote itself, its message and to provide a more personal relationship between fans and players. "It's a reminder of why we do the things we do, to stay connected in the community and not just hide and stop talking to the media and put your head in the sand until it all gets better," Reds chief operating officer Phil Castellini said. "These fans are with us through thick and thin, and we're going to be there for them.