Press Clippings December 9, 2012

CINCINNATI ENQUIRER

‘Los Rojos’ to be Reds’ alternate jersey By Tom Groeschen | 12/8/2012 1:51 PM ET

The Reds are unveiling an alternate jersey starting in 2013. The Red jersey will have ‘Los Rojos’ emblazoned on the front, in white scripted letters. Los Rojos is Spanish for “Reds.”

The Reds will wear the jersey at selected games.

Pitcher Johnny Cueto sported a Los Rojos jersey this weekend at Redsfest, where the jerseys also were available for fans to purchase.

“We’ll use it throughout the season at home games, with exact dates not determined,” said Phil Castellini, Reds chief operating officer. “We might also do it on the road, for example, if we’re in Milwaukee at the same time they’re doing their Hispanic Heritage night.”

Karen Forgus, Reds senior vice president of business operations, said the team received feedback from fans before choosing the new jersey.

“We found there’s an appetite with our fans that they love things with Los Rojos on it, because it’s fun,” Forgus said. “We’re not changing our main uniform. This is an alternate.”

–Tom Groeschen

Aroldis Chapman wants starting role Details still yet to be worked out By Tom Groeschen | 12/8/2012 9:03 AM ET

Aroldis Chapman said he will miss being the Reds’ closer, but he also is eager to give the starting rotation another whirl.

The Reds recently signed Jonathan Broxton to a three-year, $21 million deal, ostensibly to be the closer. Chapman filled that role for most of 2012, going 5-5 with a 1.51 ERA and 38 saves.

The hard-throwing Chapman worked as a starter during of 2012, but the Cuban native returned to the bullpen after injuries to Ryan Madson, Nick Masset and Bill Bray.

The Reds have told left-handed Chapman to prepare as a starter entering 2013. Chapman was asked Friday about the transition, as he appeared with teammates at Redsfest at Duke Energy Convention Center. “I enjoyed being a closer, and I’m going to miss it, but I still like to be a starter,” Chapman said through translator Tomas Vera, a Reds assistant trainer. “I would love to do both, but my career is so short, and I always enjoyed being a starter. That’s what I want to do.”

The Reds signed Chapman in 2010 to a six-year, $30.25 million contract, with the goal of Chapman eventually being a starter. Chapman has appeared in 137 major league games, all in relief.

Chapman threw 71 2/3 innings this past season. Regular starters typically throw at least twice that many innings.

“We haven’t talked about details yet,” Chapman said. “I don’t have any worries about my arm, I’m just getting prepared like I did before. Nothing has changed.” MLB.COM

Redsfest takes fan participation to the next level By Mark Sheldon | 12/8/2012 6:13 PM ET

CINCINNATI -- The Reds have noticed that the attendance for their annual two-day Redsfest has gotten seemingly bigger each year. They've also learned that if they keep expanding convention center space, they will have no shortage of people and events to fill it.

For example, the 2012 edition of Redsfest, which took place Friday and Saturday at the Duke Energy Center featured a new third-floor section for the kids, called the Fun Zone.

Young Reds fans could step into a batting cage, throw pitches and even sit inside a round metal cage and become a huge bowling ball. And for the littlest Reds fans, there were magic shows, kids singing, bounce houses and more.

"We've very happy. We were renting the whole building and held the poker every year on that third floor," said Karen Forgus, the Reds' senior vice president of business operations. "So we never really did anything else with all of that space up there. Since 2006, when the team was bought, we've watched the crowd not only grow, but the interest in Reds baseball has grown.

"We have different types of people. In the beginning, it was the true autograph-seeker type of person and avid fans. It's since broadened to a destination, not only for avid and casual fans, but families."

Reds players, like J.J. Hoover, did a storytime session, reading a baseball-themed book to dozens of kids, as mascots Gapper and Mr. Redlegs sat with them. After the reading, the mascots posed for pictures and Mr. Redlegs even did some dancing with four-year-old Vance Hyre of Milford, Ohio. There was also a video arcade, basketball hoop, putting green and place for the kids to run themselves ragged at the steal home challenge.

But moving the kids upstairs also left plenty of extra room for the more diehard and adult fans on the main floor. The entire event featured about 250,000 square feet of space.

"This is my fifth one, so I'm kind of a veteran when talking about Redsfest," Reds shortstop Zack Cozart said. "As a team, it keeps getting better. The fan base, they keep coming out. From what I can tell this year, it's crazier this year than it's been in the past. We've been playing so well and they're so excited about the team, and they should be. It's been pretty fun for us." Much of the current roster of Reds players and coaches attended during the weekend, including , Johnny Cueto, , Bronson Arroyo, Aroldis Chapman, Ryan Hanigan and manager . Alumni players included , , Ron Oester, Dmitri Young and Ted Power. There were also about a dozen Minor League prospects, including Billy Hamilton, Ryan LaMarre and Robert Stephenson.

Throughout the two days, there were more than 100 autograph and photo sessions.

The main stage also featured the annual Hot Stove question and answer session with general manager Walt Jocketty and Baker. There were also "kids-only press conferences," with players and other question and answer sessions with the broadcast crew that included icon Marty Brennaman, Jeff Brantley, Chris Welsh and Jim Kelch.

Other events on the main stage included Reds' twists on familiar game shows like "Name that Tune," with Latos, Logan Ondrusek, Nick Masset and Tony Cingrani. There was also a play on "Family Feud," and an appearance from a member of the Harlem Globetrotters.

Arroyo capped Saturday's main stage action by performing a concert with his band.

"I'm most pleased with the main stage," Forgus said. "The essence of Redsfest is the chance for our fans and anybody to see the players in their casual clothes and not tied to the game itself. They get to see them as a person and to connect with them. We've given people a huge area where they can sit and take a load off, but also give them a lot of different entertainment."

On other spots around the floor was a celebrity derby, a Reds Hall of Fame display and, in a turn towards the 21st century, a Reds Connect room that featured players taking to Twitter and answering questions. Phillips, Latos and Brennaman were among those that participated in sessions with the fans as Better Off Red blogger Jamie Ramsey emceed.

"I like the interaction, I really do," reliever Sam LeCure said of the general spirit of Redsfest. "It is nice to see the excitement of the fans and to see all your teammates again. The sting is kind of out of last year a little bit. There are a lot of good hugs and laughs and stuff like that. Then you're re-energized for those last workouts leading into Spring Training. It's building that excitement and anticipation."

Next year, the Reds might even expand into more spots of the convention center, as there were several smaller rooms that were not used. Taking a nod from Disney, the club is thinking about doing mascot lunches and a Santa brunch with the kids.

"If we earn their time, we want to make sure they have a really good experience, because our whole goal is to hook people for life," Forgus said.

Report: Ludwick, Reds agree to two-year deal By Cash Kruth | 12/8/2012 1:21 PM ET

The Reds and Ryan Ludwick have agreed to a two-year, $15-million deal pending completion of a physical, according to a report Saturday by ESPN.com.

Ludwick, 34, experienced a bounce-back season in 2012 after struggling with the Padres and Pirates in '11. He hit .275 with 26 home runs and 80 RBIs to help Cincinnati win the National League Central. Ludwick signed a one-year, $2-million contract with Cincinnati in 2012, which proved to be a bargain, as the veteran became the club's regular and one of its most potent bats.

He has played 10 Major League seasons with the Rangers, Indians, Cardinals, Padres, Pirates and Reds and is a .263 career hitter with 143 homers.

Chapman bittersweet about move to rotation Left-hander ready for new challenge, but will miss the closer role By Mark Sheldon | 12/8/2012 4:58 PM ET

CINCINNATI -- Aroldis Chapman certainly likes the idea of moving into the Reds rotation in 2013. But the left-hander will also miss being a closer.

"One part of me is happy for it. The other part is not," Chapman said via interpreter Tomas Vera during his appearance at Redsfest on Saturday. "The part I don't like is I enjoyed being a closer and now I'm going to miss it. I still like it as a starter. I would love to do both, because I've had fun doing both."

Last week, the Reds re-signed free agent reliever Jonathan Broxton to a three-year, $21 million contract with the intent of making him the closer. The club would like to see if Chapman can succeed as a starter, which was what he was doing when signed out of Cuba in 2010 to a six-year, $30.25 million contract.

Chapman, who will turn 25 in February, was 5-5 with a 1.51 ERA, 23 walks and 122 in 68 relief appearances last season. Although he did not become the closer until May 20, Chapman was tied for third in the National League with 38 saves in 43 attempts. He had a single-season record 27 consecutive saves from June 26-Sept. 4.

Of course, Chapman also brought ninth inning electricity that came with his 100-plus mph fastball and shutdown ability. However, he was the Reds' best starter in Spring Training last year before injuries to Ryan Madson, Nick Masset and Bill Bray forced the club's hand to use him in the bullpen.

"They talked to me and told me I'm going to be back as a starter," Chapman said. "All I'm doing is getting ready and preparing to work as a starter."

Leake preparing to start, but role undecided

CINCINNATI -- Reds starter Mike Leake heard that his team's signing of Jonathan Broxton to be the closer - - and moving Aroldis Chapman to the rotation -- would have repercussions.

"If that's what they decide, it's going to directly affect me," Leake said on Saturday during Redsfest. "I don't know what they have completely decided."

The Reds have made no formal rotation decisions and will let things shake out during Spring Training. Leake was the fifth starter in 2012 and had an inconsistent year. After a 0-5 start, the right-hander finished 8-9 with a 4.58 ERA in a career-high 30 starts and 179 innings.

Leake was told by the club to prepare himself as a starter. The Reds still don't know how many starts or innings Chapman will get in 2013.

"Maybe they'll wait a couple of months and then throw him, kind of the opposite of [Nationals ace Stephen] Strasburg," Leake said. "I don't know. Hopefully they give the five a chance to prove ourselves a little bit and if one of us is slacking off or doing something they weren't expecting, then throw him in the rotation. Hopefully they let us ride a little bit."

Reds to incorporate 'Los Rojos' jerseys in 2013

CINCINNATI -- One of the Reds players' jerseys was not like the others during a main stage appearance at Redsfest.

The front of rotation ace Johnny Cueto's No. 47 jersey said "Los Rojos," as the club is planning a Spanish- language alternate look for 2013. Cueto is from the Dominican Republic.

The alternate jersey will be worn for select games that have yet to be determined, but it's likely they could be seen on Hispanic heritage nights or Cinco de Mayo.

"We saw the Brewers do this with Los Cervezeros," said Karen Forgus, the Reds' senior vice president of business operations. "There is an appetite for the fans to buy them. They sell well in other markets." ASSOCIATED PRESS

AP source: Ludwick, Reds reach $15M, 2-year deal By Ben Walker | 12/8/2012 7:55 PM ET

A person familiar with the deal tells The Associated Press that free agent outfielder Ryan Ludwick is returning to the Cincinnati Reds for a two-year contract worth $15 million.

The person spoke Saturday under condition of anonymity because there was no official announcement about the agreement.

The 34-year-old Ludwick hit .275 with 26 home runs and 80 RBIs while helping Cincinnati win the NL Central. He hit three homers and batted .333 in the Reds' five-game loss to San Francisco in the NL division series.

Ludwick declined a mutual option after the season, turning down a $5 million salary and instead receiving a $500,000 buyout. He had signed a one-year deal with a $2 million base salary for 2012, and earned another $350,000 in performance bonuses based on plate appearances. FOXSPORTS.COM

Sources: Reds, Ludwick agree to deal By Ken Rosenthal | 12/8/2012 8:02 PM ET

Free-agent left fielder Ryan Ludwick appears headed back to Cincinnati.

Ludwick agreed to a two-year, $15 million contract with the Reds, according to major-league sources.

Ludwick, 34, bounced back with the Reds last season, batting .275 with 26 home runs, 80 RBI and an .877 OPS.

The Reds continue to look for a new , with a trade for Colorado's Dexter Fowler among the possibilities. ESPN.COM

Source: Reds to sign Ryan Ludwick By Jerry Crasnick | 12/8/2012 8:50 PM ET

Free agent outfielder Ryan Ludwick has reached agreement on a two-year, $15 million contract with the Cincinnati Reds pending completion of a physical exam, a baseball source confirmed Saturday to ESPN.com.

Ludwick, 34, hit .275 with 26 homers, 80 RBIs and an .877 OPS as Cincinnati's regular left fielder in 2012. He is a career .263 hitter with 143 home runs in 10 big league seasons with Texas, Cleveland, St. Louis, San Diego, Pittsburgh and Cincinnati.

Ludwick made a base salary of $2 million last season. The Cincinnati Enquirer reported that his new contract includes a mutual option for 2015.

The Reds had expressed interest in acquiring a leadoff-hitting outfielder through free agency or a trade, but Ludwick's return appears to make it less likely that will happen. Last year, with rookie shortstop Zack Cozart logging the bulk of the at-bats in the No. 1 spot, Cincinnati's leadoff hitters ranked last in the major leagues with a .208 batting average and a .581 OPS.

Barring a change of plans, the Reds are expected to go with an outfield alignment of Ludwick in left field, Drew Stubbs in center and in right again in 2013.

Billy Hamilton, who set a minor league record with 155 stolen bases last season, switched from shortstop to the outfield during the Arizona Fall League and could arrive from the minors to take over the leadoff spot at some point next season. TRANSACTIONS

Saturday's Sports Transactions By The Associated Press December 8, 2012

Major League Baseball

American League

SEATTLE MARINERS: Agreed to terms with OF Jason Bay on a one-year contract.

National League

ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS: Agreed to terms with INF Eric Chavez on a one-year contract.