Press Clippings February 17, 2019 THIS DAY IN REDS HISTORY 1883-A meeting between the American Association and National League is held in New York, where the “National Agreement” is drafted. Along with the Northwestern League, the three leagues agree to respect each other’s contracts and end the period of player raids

1891-The American Association withdraws from the “National Agreement,” then moves the league from Chicago to Cincinnati, to compete with the National League

1909-The National League no longer allows umpires to fine players and begin to require relief to retire at least one batter before being relieved

MLB.COM Garrett impresses with D as Reds shake up PFP Bell puts premium on pitchers' fielding; position players report Sunday By Mark Sheldon MLB.com @m_sheldon Feb. 16, 2019

GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- During some Reds pitchers' fielding practice (PFP) drills on Friday, was playing first base. Alex Wood was at shortstop and Brandon Finnegan was flashing some skills all over the infield.

This clearly wasn't the usual PFP, a Spring Training staple that often has a wash, rinse and repeat feel to it. The purpose behind the change of approach was not only to avoid the mundane. Manager is open to using pitchers at other positions this season, should there be a need.

"I don't like saving guys just in case," Bell said on Saturday. "It makes you feel a lot better having that approach when you actually have guys that have practiced and prepared. You're not so afraid of putting someone out there and they get hurt. These guys are athletes. Every one of them are athletes. We want them to see it that way."

There was a lot of laughing and howls when any of the pitchers made an impressive play.

"It was fun watching them yesterday because they were having fun," Bell said. "They were working really hard, but smiling and enjoying themselves."

Garrett, the left-handed reliever, certainly impressed as he picked one-hop throws from the dirt on several occasions. Teammates loved watched him flash the leather.

Because pitchers are so locked in on facing hitters, it's easy to forget that they are also infielders. And at 60 feet, six inches away from the plate, they are the closest infielder to the hitter.

"I used to play first base when I was in the field and also outfield," Garrett said. "I'm just having fun with it, not being scared of the ball or anything. I think it was a good drill for us. It was to find that versatility that pitchers are missing and the athleticism.

"PFP is so standard. You're just going and everybody is trying not to get hurt. What we did yesterday was really good. You're just playing the game like you did as a little kid. You don't really know what you're doing, but you're playing the game. That's when you're at your best, just having fun. We're being able to move certain ways and throw the ball from different angles. I think it was great."

Bell felt it was important that a regular season game isn't the first time a took a groundball at a non-mound position.

"It creates a presence on the field," Bell said. "The idea is when they do get that groundball or get that play, it makes them stretch themselves a little bit."

Position players report Sunday

Reds position players officially report to camp on Sunday and will take their physicals. Almost every player has already been in camp for a few days, with only , Eugenio Suarez and Jose Siri not seen publicly as of Saturday morning.

Because physicals will be going on in the morning, Bell pushed the pitchers' workout schedule back to the afternoon.

"Things are really going to pick up here the next couple of days with everyone reporting and first full day," Bell said. "It's kind of why we pushed tomorrow back, too, just to give a little breather to the guys that have been here for a week or so."

The first full-squad workout is scheduled for Monday.

A true backup shortstop needed?

If the Reds carry 13 pitchers, as expected, that will leave only four spots for bench players -- which will make versatility even more important. Sometimes, there is a premium on a role player who is a "true shortstop" in case a defensive change is needed. On the Reds, they could use or Blake Trahan to back up Jose Peraza. Christian Colon is also in camp as a non-roster invite.

Suarez, the All-Star third baseman, has played shortstop in the Major Leagues. It's his natural position.

"I haven't seen him play there, but a lot of people have in the organization, and it's been brought up as an option," Bell said. "He's settled in pretty nicely at third base -- not to say I would be afraid to move him, but I don't know that that would be the first choice."

Whoever plays at shortstop besides Peraza, Bell wants that person to be both capable and comfortable there.

"With Peraza, knowing his durability and the commitment we've made with him at short, it's not mandatory," Bell said. "It's always nice to have depth. It's an important position. If everything goes perfect, you're fine, but it's nice to have somebody you really trust at that position -- any position, but especially up the middle."

Mark Sheldon has covered the Reds for MLB.com since 2006, and previously covered the Twins from 2001-05. Follow him on Twitter @m_sheldon and Facebook and listen to his podcast.

Disco embraces fresh start after tough end to '18 A lock for Reds' rotation, DeSclafani fully healthy, improves mechanics By Mark Sheldon MLB.com @m_sheldon Feb. 16th, 2019

GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- Reds starting pitcher Anthony DeSclafani hated how his 2018 season ended and didn't need any motivation to make improvements over the winter.

Over five starts in August, DeSclafani seemingly found his groove, posting a 2.62 ERA with four walks and 27 . Hitters batted .237 and hit only three home runs against him. That would make September the most disappointing. The right-hander was 0-4 with 6.75 ERA over his final six starts as opponents hit .301 with six homers.

"I was more frustrated with the drastic change from August to September," DeSclafani said about his 2018 season on Saturday. "Obviously, I would have liked to have those months reversed and ended on a solid note. But it wasn't the case. It's confirmation that I needed to make some changes for sure, but last year is forgotten about. I'm not going to let one month, or a year, determine how I feel about the next."

DeSclafani, who turns 29 in April, finished last season 7-8 with a 4.93 ERA in 21 starts after he missed the first two months of the season with a left oblique strain. He also was out of action during the entire 2017 season with a right elbow ligament strain.

One positive for DeSclafani last season, and this week in camp: he's feeling 100 percent healthy. Rather than worrying about rehabilitation, he could focus on adjustments during the offseason. He didn't need to review any high-tech metrics or video to understand where he went wrong.

"Sporting a 5.00 ERA probably told me all I need to know," DeSclafani said. "I could just see it throwing in a bullpen or throwing during a game. When my changeup is 87-88 mph, I know that's not cutting it. When I'm spinning curveballs out there and every one is getting hit over the fence, that will tell you everything you need to know." According to Statcast™, DeSclafani used a curveball 3.6 percent of the time, and his changeup was also utilized for 3.6 percent of pitches thrown. He's not a pitcher and will pitch to induce contact. But when he did throw off-speed stuff, hitters were clearly not fooled enough as hitters batted .533 with three homers against 64 total curveballs and .313 on 65 changeups.

While DeSclafani averaged 93.5 mph with his four-seam fastball, the changeup velocity was not all that deceiving at 88.4 mph. To improve his pitches, there were mechanical adjustments.

"I'm trying to put my arm in a better spot to throw a changeup and a curveball," DeSclafani said. "I'm trying to take some velo off [the changeup] and add consistency to my curveball so I have another option. Even if the curveball and changeup are 10 percent better, it's another pitch that I can go to during a game so I won't be a two-pitch pitcher."

So far, so good on the tweaks, DeSclafani said.

"It's been progressing and is still progressing," he said. "Hopefully it comes into shape during camp and some of these games. I want it ready to go for the season."

Upon a 95-loss 2018 where the rotation struggled mightily, the Reds made big upgrades in the offseason by adding , Tanner Roark and Alex Wood. New manager David Bell and pitching coach eliminated all drama when camp opened by including DeSclafani in the starting five. He joins fellow returning starter .

DeSclafani likes the changes and looks forward to the group pushing each other.

"I think it gets everybody excited," DeSclafani said. "Excitement is something we need around here, especially after some losing seasons the past few years. I think it will make camp fun and this year fun."

Mark Sheldon has covered the Reds for MLB.com since 2006, and previously covered the Twins from 2001-05. Follow him on Twitter @m_sheldon and Facebook and listen to his podcast.

CINCINNATI ENQUIRER RedsXtra: Will all the new faces on the Cincinnati Reds' coaching staff mean better results? John Fay, Cincinnati Enquirer Published 3:21 p.m. ET Feb. 16, 2019 | Updated 3:36 p.m. ET Feb. 16, 2019

GOODYEAR, Ariz. — When Dick Williams took over as head of baseball operations three years ago, he promised to move the team more toward analytics.

Suffice it to say, the Reds are there.

The Reds opened camp with a new manager, 10 new Major League coaches, a new amateur scouting director, a player development director, a new international scouting director and a new minor league field coordinator.

And that’s just at the top of the flow chart.

To use a variation on that baseball cliche, it’s hard to tell the staff without a scorecard — or at least name tags.

Whether the changes turn into more wins remains to be seen, but you've got to give the Reds credit for trying something different.

“We came a long way this past six months,” Williams said. “The temptation’s there to do what’s familiar and what’s comfortable. In making as many changes as we have this year, once you start down the path you have to be all-in on making the changes.”

“We essentially changed all the department heads this offseason . . . There was a lot. But it created a great opportunity for us to start fresh to really get aligned. When you put in the new department heads, you have to empower them to shape their team to the way they want to do it.”

The Reds have not taken the traditional approach to hires. That’s apparent on manager David Bell’s staff. was brought in as outfield/game-planning coach. Cristian Perez is the advance-scouting coach. James Brand is an analyst who will travel with the team.

“It’s more important to get back to assigning the work that needs to be done first, starting there,” Williams said. “You figure out what people do, then you come up with a title. I think we used to solve for the titles. We’ve got hire a blank because we’ve always had a blank. Now, it’s what do we have to get done?”

“We need to plan for a game. OK, let’s get a guy to focus on planning for the game and call him a game-planning coach. Or need analytical work provided for the Major League team on the road, so let’s add a Major League team analyst who travels with the team. That’s where we’ve come up with some nuances on the titles. Nobody’s been afraid to call it what it is.”

On the surface, you’d label Bell a baseball traditionalist. After all, he’s a former player from a three-generation baseball family. But, as he’s revealed himself this spring, it’s clear he has some new-age baseball ideas.

He’s on the record that Raisel Iglesias will not be used as a traditional closer. will get time in the outfield. He’s added a yoga option for the players.

Bell talks a lot about “finding an edge.” Bell was given a lot of latitude to find coaches to help him find that edge. His staff is young — eight of 11 are under 50, five are under 40. By comparison, six of Bryan Price’s nine coaches were over 50 and only one was under 40.

“We had a lot of good baseball people on our staff,” Williams said. “But when you brought in David, you had to clear the decks and be prepared to bring in a group with his vision, the way he was thinking and his comfort level.”

Spring training was the first chance for everyone to get together for the first time. It’s still early — the first full- squad workout is Monday — but Williams is pleased so far.

“For me, it’s exceeded my expectations for the speed at which people have gotten comfortable with each other,” Williams said. "That’s a testament to the work that was done in the offseason.”

Offseason work doesn’t matter much if things don’t go well during the season. But, again, you have to give the Reds credit for not trying to the same, old stuff.

After opening spring training, the Cincinnati Reds could still make more moves John Fay and Bobby Nightengale, Cincinnati Enquirer Published 3:29 p.m. ET Feb. 16, 2019 | Updated 3:39 p.m. ET Feb. 16, 2019

GOODYEAR, Arizona – The Reds will tell you they’re happy with the roster they have in spring training.

But there are plenty of unsigned free agents, so it has to be tempting to add. The Reds could do that.

“We’re still open for business,” president of baseball operations Dick Williams said. “Once your camp starts, you can’t count on that right fit being out there. I’d say we’ve built a team we’re comfortable with. But we’ll still be open to adding as we got through these next few weeks.

“We have some resources to do deals if we find the right ones.”

That’s the trick. The Reds aren’t going to sign Bryce Harper or Manny Machado. Left-hander Dallas Keuchel remains unsigned, but the Reds' interest in him has cooled and he might be too expensive anyway.

The obvious need is a good defensive center fielder, but that’s a thin category on the free-agent market.

Williams doesn’t talk specifics for free agents, but it’s likely Reds are looking to add depth. The only true shortstop among the bench candidates is Alex Blandino, and there’s no guarantee he’ll be ready for because he’s still rehabbing from knee surgery.

“We certainly have options for (shortstop) depth with (Alex) Blandino and (Blake) Trahan,” Reds manager David Bell said. “We have other guys in camp that can play, Christian Colon. We have options. With (José) Peraza, knowing his durability and the commitment we've made with him at short, it's not mandatory. It's always nice to have depth. It's an important position.”

The Reds could wait to see if they get through spring training healthy. If an injury should occur, there’s probably a free agent to fill that spot.

Peraza played more innings than any Reds player last season, ranking 11th among all players in the National League. Blandino logged 60 innings at shortstop last year and Trahan played 21.

Bell hasn’t seen Eugenio Suárez play the position, but he would prefer to keep Suárez at third base.

“I don't have any doubts, just watching (Suárez) play and knowing he's played there in the past that that could happen and it's nice to have that as an option,” Bell said. “He's settled in pretty nicely at third base – not to say I would be afraid to move him, but I don't know that that would be the first choice.”

NEW FIELDING DRILLS: Like every other Major League team at the start of spring training, Reds pitchers completed drills fielding ground balls and covering first base.

But the Reds tried to mix it up with new drills. On one field, they took ground balls at various infield positions. Left- hander Brandon Finnegan took some reps at third base. Amir Garrett scooped up some throws from first.

Some pitchers looked, well, like pitchers playing out of position. There was a reason, beyond just doing a different drill, that they fielded grounders around the infield.

“I don’t like saving guys just in case," Bell said. "It makes you feel a lot better having that approach when you actually do have guys that have practiced and prepared. You’re not so afraid of putting someone out there and they get hurt. These guys are athletes."

Another drill had six small cones set up behind the plate. The cones were evenly split around the circle. Pitchers would start in the middle, run to a cone and then back to the middle. Once they were in the middle, they received a grounder from Triple-A pitching coach Jeff Fassero, which gave them a chance to field balls while moving.

“It was fun watching them yesterday because they were having fun,” Bell said. “They were working really hard but smiling and enjoying themselves. They’re infielders. I haven’t talked to all of them, but I think they really enjoyed it."

LEARNING NEW PITCHERS: Reds said the first week of spring training is “crucial” because he’s catching bullpens from new pitchers and there’s not much else going on.

Barnhart wants to build a relationship with each pitcher, talking to them before bullpens, after bullpens and in the clubhouse. Throughout the first week, he’s prioritized catching newcomers Tanner Roark, Sonny Gray and Alex Wood.

“It allows you to get down to the nuts and bolts of everything, work out the kinks early so we can be ready once the season starts,” Barnhart said.

WLWT Hundreds apply for support positions with Cincinnati Reds The Reds open up the 2019 season against the March 28th Updated: 6:37 PM EST Feb 16, 2019

CINCINNATI — As the Reds starters and minor-leaguers get ready for the season in Goodyear, Arizona, the Reds' operations staff has also been busy putting a good team in place to make Great American Ballpark one of the most fan-friendly stadiums in .

With just over a month before opening day, hundreds of hopefuls like Donna White added their names to the Reds' tradition.

"We love the Reds so you can experience the Reds at home on your couch, you can experience the Reds here at the game, or you can come down here and work and experience the Reds as a family." White said.

White is one of several applying to 150 to 200 support positions for the 2019 season.

"My kids already work here. We all love the Reds and we thought make it a family affair and mom will come and work too."

Garry McQuire of the Cincinnati Reds is excited by the enthusiastic turnout.

"What our job is, is to help people to have fun... We want fun-loving people and people with a smile and enthusiasm. This is a bucket list job." McQuire said.

From ticket takers, to customer service, the selection gets pretty competitive. Like manager David Bell, McQuire said he wants to field the best team possible. "I haven't seen anybody with that Hamilton speed, but we'll continue to look."

The Reds open up the 2019 season against the Pittsburgh Pirates March 28.

TRANSACTIONS 02/16/19 Baltimore Orioles signed free agent SS Alcides Escobar to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training. Toronto Blue Jays signed free agent RHP John Axford to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training. Texas Rangers signed free agent C Adam Moore to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training.