Press Clippings November 28, 2017 THIS DAY IN REDS HISTORY 2009-Third base coach, Steve Smith and his daughter Allie begin the Amazing Race, Season 16 MLB.COM Winker's arrival poses good problem for Reds By Mark Sheldon / MLB.com | @m_sheldon | November 27th, 2017 + 36 COMMENTS

CINCINNATI -- During his extended second-half stint in his rookie season for the Reds, corner outfielder Jesse Winker demonstrated he belongs in a Major League lineup. Meanwhile, Cincinnati's established corner outfielders -- Adam Duvall and Scott Schebler -- don't really deserve to lose their spots to make way for Winker.

The task for Reds general manager Dick Williams and manager Bryan Price will be to somehow find a way to make it work in 2018.

One solution would be for Williams to pull off a trade for either Duvall or Schebler. Both hitters offer power, as Duvall slugged 31 homers in 2017 after hitting 33 in '16, while Schebler hit 30 homers for the first time last season. Duvall has also been a National League Gold Glove finalist in each of the last two seasons and was a 2016 NL All-Star.

Both hitters struggled mightily in the second half last season. Duvall batted .249/.301/.480 in 157 games, but slumped to just .212 with 11 homers after the All-Star break. He finished the season with no homers hit over his final 29 games. His 2016 production also saw a big drop off following the break.

In 141 games last season, Schebler batted .233/.307/.484, but dropped to .197 with eight homers in the second half. That came while trying to play through a left shoulder injury initially suffered in early June. He spent Aug. 1-17 on the disabled list, allowing space for Winker to emerge.

In his 47 games, Winker hit .298/.375/.529 with seven homers and 15 RBIs. The ability for the organization's No. 5 prospect to work counts and get on base was as advertised. The line drive hitter also accessed some power by hitting more than the five homers he had combined at Triple-A Louisville in 2016-17.

So far this offseason, there have been no rumors of any clubs having interest in acquiring Duvall or Schebler. At the same time, Williams doesn't feel compelled to make a trade, because the other solution is to have Price divide up playing time. It could be a tandem system where Duvall, Schebler and Winker all get significant playing time.

If the three outfielders each played around 120 games, it could allow them all to contribute meaningful numbers. Whoever doesn't play would immediately become the best offensive option for Price off the bench in the late .

For Duvall, perhaps playing fewer games in the first half could keep him fresher in the second half. For Winker, it would mean a more gradual assumption of responsibility in the lineup. Both Schebler and Winker are lefty hitters that could be stacked against a right-handed . But Schebler was actually stronger vs. lefties (.276) than righties (.215) last year, although he was much better vs. right-handers in 2016.

But going with an outfield tandem would create a domino situation elsewhere if Duvall, Schebler and Winker all play at the same time. Duvall can also play the two corner infield spots, meaning he could spell third baseman Eugenio Suarez or first baseman Joey Votto. Of course, Votto started all 162 games in 2017 and doesn't like taking breaks. Suarez could also play shortstop, if needed. Schebler can play center field on days Billy Hamilton needs to be off.

Put it all together and Williams, Price and the corner outfielders certainly have a challenge in front of them ahead of next season. But it's not necessarily a bad one for the Reds to have.

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. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League or its clubs.

Reds claim lefty reliever Crockett off waivers By Mark Sheldon / MLB.com | @m_sheldon | November 27th, 2017 + 7 COMMENTS

CINCINNATI -- For the third time this month, the Reds added a reliever to compete for a spot in their bullpen in 2018. Left-hander Kyle Crockett was claimed off of waivers from the Indians on Monday.

Crockett, who will turn 26 on Dec. 15, was designated for assignment on Nov. 20 when Cleveland set its 40-man roster ahead of the Rule 5 Draft. His addition to Cincinnati gives the club a full 40-man roster.

A fourth-round Draft pick by the Indians in 2013, Crockett has spent parts of the last four seasons in the big leagues and had a 3.44 ERA in 107 appearances. His ability to avoid the long ball should benefit him at Great American Ball Park, as he's allowed only three home runs over 65 1/3 career innings.

Crockett had a 10.80 ERA in four big league appearances this season, with three coming in June. He spent most of the season at Triple-A Columbus while going 5-5 with a 3.38 ERA in 51 games.

So far this month, the Reds signed right-handed reliever Kevin Quackenbush and left-hander Joe Mantiply to Minor League deals and invited them to as non-roster players.

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. This story was not subject to the approval of or its clubs. CINCINNATI ENQUIRER How the Reds could land Japanese star Shohei Ohtani C. Trent Rosecrans, [email protected] Published 3:21 p.m. ET Nov. 27, 2017 | Updated 3:49 p.m. ET Nov. 27, 2017

Dick Williams can see Shohei Ohtani in a Reds uniform, even if others scoff at the idea.

The Reds general manager says the team has “serious interest” in signing Ohtani, even if it’s a long shot for many reasons. But, he notes, it’s not impossible.

Ohtani is the most sought-after free agent on the market this year. He’s 23 and is both an elite starting pitcher and power hitter. All 30 teams are expected to at least make some pitch for Ohtani’s services, in part, because he’ll come at a $197 million-or-so discount.

The No. 1 thing for the Reds to land Ohtani, according to insiders, is that Ohtani has to want to come to Cincinnati. That’s up to the Reds, led by Williams, to make that case.

“Clearly, for him, now is the time he wants to come over. I really can’t speak to what’s going in his head, but that indicates to me that he wants to get here and he wants to embark on accomplishing the goals he’s set for himself,” Williams said Monday. “That gives us some optimism we can make a case for why we would present a good opportunity. We've put ourselves in a good position for the next couple of years. He might find it an attractive fit for what he's looking for. But you’re really guessing as to what it is that motivates him.”

What makes the Ohtani recruitment different than any other free-agent signing is that Ohtani’s actions already show that this decision is about more than just the team that can offer him the most money. If Ohtani were searching for the most money in any deal, he would wait two years before coming to the United States. According to the collective bargaining agreement, no team can offer more than its international signing bonus pool. For now, the Texas Rangers can offer the most money to Ohtani ($3,535,000), followed by the Yankees ($3.5 million). Some teams can still add to their bonus pool by trading for bonus pool money.

On the other hand, 12 teams, including the Reds, can offer only a $300,000 bonus to Ohtani to entice him to sign with their teams after exceeding their bonus pool in previous years. The other teams unable to spend more than $300,000 on any player are the Royals, Cardinals, Padres, Athletics, Braves, Cubs, Astros, Dodgers, White Sox, Giants and Nationals. Six other teams can offer even less.

Major League Baseball is expected to agree to a new posting system agreement between MLB and Nippon on Friday. Ohtani is expected to be posted by his team shortly afterward.

Each team can offer the $20 million posting fee and Ohtani will be free to pick his future team.

After signing, teams can offer only a standard minor-league contract. Ohtani would then earn either the league-minimum or close to it for the first three years of his MLB career, like any other young player. He would then have three years of arbitration eligibility becoming eligible for free agency following the 2023 season.

“It’s a different set of circumstances than we’re used to,” Williams said. “Usually the money is such an important part of the process. This time around, there’s more of the communicating and the sales points. That’s unique, that’s different than a typical free-agent negotiation.”

Ohtani’s background, though, gives teams hope. Ohtani is from a small town and his team, the Nippon Ham Fighters, are based in Sapporo, a city of comparable size to Cincinnati. According to reports, he still lived in the team’s dorm while with the Fighters. Other reports say his parents control his finances, with his mother depositing just $1,000 a month into his bank account. That, according to his high school baseball coach, goes nearly untouched.

If money is a concern, there are always endorsements. Ohtani, one of the most famous people in Japan, will make plenty in endorsements, if he so chooses, in Japan, no matter his big-league uniform.

Williams made a trip to Japan in September and watched Ohtani’s final game at home. However, he did not speak to Ohtani, nor was the trip solely about Ohtani. He did, however, meet with officials of Ohtani’s team. The Reds are the only MLB team that has never had a Japanese player but have expanded their scouting and interest in Asia under Williams.

A glimpse into what Ohtani values came Friday, when his agent, Nez Balelo, sent out a questionnaire to all 30 MLB teams. According to the Associated Press, the questionnaire “asks for a team to evaluate Ohtani’s talent as a pitcher and as a hitter; to explain its player development, medical training and player performance philosophies and facilities; to describe its minor league and spring training facilities; to detail resources for Ohtani’s cultural assimilation into the team’s city; to demonstrate a vision for how Ohtani could integrate into the team’s organization; and to tell Ohtani why the team is a desirable place to play.”

Balelo’s memo asked for teams to provide its answers in both English and Japanese as soon as possible. It also specified not to include financial offers.

Balelo is also the agent for Reds manager Bryan Price, his minor-league teammate in the Mariners’ farm system.

Many have posited that an American League team that could offer Ohtani a chance to serve as a designated hitter on days he’s not pitching. The Reds can’t do the same thing, but Williams said there is a plan the team has formulated that would give him “a significant amount of at-bats and at the same time pursue pitching.” Last year the Reds used reliever Michael Lorenzen as a pinch- hitter.

In the end, he would have to choose the Reds. Will that happen? Nobody seems to know. Williams and the Reds’ front office are willing to give it their best shot and ready to lay the case before Ohtani and his representatives. The Reds have been unexpected international winners before, coming out of nowhere to land Aroldis Chapman in 2010.

“I can't speak to what (Ohtani) likes or doesn’t like, but I can speak to the fact that we're a proud franchise with a long history. We’ve succeeded, we have a long track record of success despite a smaller-market team," Williams said. "We think we're a very attractive city to live in with passionate fans. We think the franchise is in a really strong position going forward as a result of the investments we've made the last couple of seasons with a lot of good trades, good drafts, international signings. We’ve done a lot of work to put ourselves in a position to succeed going forward. So we think that now is a good time for a player to be joining the Reds." DAYTON DAILY NEWS Could the Cincinnati Reds pull of another huge international signing? Marcus Hartman 5:02 p.m Monday, Nov. 27, 2017 Sports Facebook Twitter Share 0 SPORTS

The Cincinnati Reds are reportedly among those interested in Shohei Ohtani, the Japanese two-way sensation who wants to hit and pitch in the majors next season.

Over the weekend, there was good news on this front when the Associated Press reported reps for Ohtani sent all 30 teams a memo asking for a variety of information, including essentially a sales pitch for the organization.

Why is this good news for the Reds?

Because financial considerations weren’t to be a part of a team’s attempt to sell Ohtani on joining them.

As Doug Gray at RedsMinorLeagues.com puts it:

Where Cincinnati, and other teams, could make their real gains in the pitch, is in player performance philosophies, a willingness to let him play in the field and pitch, as well as why your team is the best fit for him.

Now, claiming you’re winning right now, won’t be a way the Reds can compete in this market. But, selling him on being the piece that makes them ready to win, could be. “We have arguably the best hitter alive in Joey Votto. We have a young core of offense under team control for quite a while that includes (name your players here) that can and will grow with you over the next five-to-six years.”

Reds general manager Dick Williams and other club representatives were in Japan to see Ohtani play in October according to MLB.com.

Although the organization has never signed a Japanese player, the Reds have historically been very active on the international market, including recent signings of Cubans Aroldis Chapman, Raisel Iglesias, Jose Isreal Garcia, Vladimir Gutierrez and Alfredo Rodriguez. .