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Home , Anthony DeSclafani, Bob Castellini, David Holmberg, Dylan Axelrod, Gonzalez Germen, Jason Marquis

Reds Press Clippings January 22, 2015

CINCINNATI ENQUIRER Reds sign RHP to minor-league deal By C. Trent Rosecrans / Cincinnati Enquirer / [email protected] / @ctrent

The Reds have signed 36-year-old right-hander Jason Marquis to a minor-league contract with an invite to major league camp.

Marquis started nine games in the Phillies organization last season, going 4-1 with a 4.18 ERA. He last pitched in the majors for the Padres, going 9-5 with a 4.05 ERA in 20 starts for the Padres in 2013.

An All-Star with the Rockies in 2009, Marquis has pitched in parts of 14 seasons in the big leagues, going 121-114 with 4.56 ERA. He's pitched for the Braves, Cardinals, Cubs, Rockies, Nationals, Diamondbacks, Twins and Padres.

The left-handed hitting Marquis won a Silver Slugger with the Cardinals in 2004 and is a career .196/.214/.278 hitter.

Reds and report to in Goodyear, Ariz., on Feb. 18, with the first workout the next day.

After the trades of starter and Alfredo Simon, the Reds have two spots in the rotation up for grabs after , and Mike Leake. Marquis could challenge for one of those spots, along with Raisel Iglesias, David Holmberg, Tony Cingrani and Anthony DeSclafani.

Crosley Field Historic Site hopes to be ready before MLB All-Star Game By Mike Dyer / Cincinnati Enquirer / [email protected]

City Gospel Mission and the Reds Hall of Fame and Museum officials met last week and are moving forward on a joint project to create a Historic Site in time for this summer's Major League All-Star Game.

Cincinnati.com first reported in August 2014 the plans for construction on two relocation buildings for City Gospel Mission at Dalton Avenue and York Street in Queensgate. Crosley Field, home of the Reds from 1912 to 1970, was at the corner of Findlay Street and Western Avenue.

A 100-foot-by-20-foot high mural of an artist rendering of Crosley Field from the late 1950s will be painted on the side of a building by Keep Cincinnati Beautiful, says City Gospel Mission communications director Tim Curtis.

Construction is still ongoing. Curtis said the goal is to have the historic site ready a few weeks before the MLB All-Star Game at on July 14.

The site will be a draw for visitors and in turn spark interest from potential donors to the City Gospel Mission, which moves onto the property March 1 and into a new building in Queensgate May 1.

Crosley Field hosted the 1938 and 1953 All-Star Games. This spring will also mark the 80thanniversary of the first night game – on May 24, 1935 at Crosley Field.

There will also be commemorative bricks fans can purchase that will be placed within the replica foul-lines to help offset costs.

The historic site plans also include:

Foul lines running from home plate outside the City Gospel Mission buildings A replica left-field foul pole A light standard in the parking lot replicating the original lights used at Crosley Base markers Replica seats in the lobby A pocket park near the main entrance with several markers detailing significant events that occurred at Crosley Memorabilia will be available for purchase

MLB.COM After sitting out 2014, Marquis gets invite to Reds camp By Mark Sheldon / MLB.com / [email protected] / @m_sheldon

CINCINNATI -- The Reds added a veteran arm on Wednesday, albeit one trying to make a comeback, when right-handed Jason Marquis agreed to terms on a Minor League contract that includes an invite to big league camp.

Marquis will compete for a spot in the rotation, Reds general Walt Jocketty said via text message.

A 36-year-old with 14 Major League seasons on eight clubs, including the Cardinals from 2004-06 when they were led by Jocketty, Marquis spent last season trying to recover from 2013 Tommy John surgery on his right elbow. It was Reds medical director Dr. Tim Kremchek who performed the operation.

While Marquis did not pitch in the big leagues in 2014, he did throw a bullpen session in front of Reds scouts last spring before signing a Minor League contract with the Phillies. He posted a 4.18 ERA over nine games and 51 2/3 innings (eight starts at - A Lehigh Valley and one with the Phillies' Rookie-level Gulf Coast League affiliate), until he was released on Aug. 31.

During the 2013 season with the Padres, Marquis was 9-5 with a 4.05 ERA in 20 games (117 2/3 innings) before his elbow injury shut him down near the end of the July.

Marquis' best year was 2009 with the Rockies, when he made the All-Star team and finished with a 15-13 record and a 4.04 ERA in 33 starts.

Over 368 career games in the Majors, Marquis has gone 121-114 with a 4.56 ERA in tours with the Braves, Cardinals, Padres, Nationals, Cubs, Twins, D-backs and Rockies. Although a .196 career hitter, he's also known for handling himself well as a hitter, belting five career homers. Marquis' best hitting season came in 2004, when he batted .310 in 44 games.

Cincinnati already has Johnny Cueto, Homer Bailey and Mike Leake at the top of the rotation. But Bailey is trying to return from right flexor mass tendon surgery near his elbow, and the candidates for the final two spots lack extended big league track records.

Marquis will be competing with Tony Cingrani, Raisel Iglesias, Anthony DeSclafani, and David Holmberg for a spot in the Reds' starting five.

Phillips won’t let others wake him from living the dream Reds star tuning out distractions, focusing on what he can control as he eyes postseason return By Meggie Zahneis / MLB.com

Brandon Phillips is trying not to let anyone get in his head.

Not the media -- Philips put a moratorium on press sessions during the 2014 season -- not the rumormongers who speculate on the season ahead, and, most of all, not himself.

He's just here to play.

"I don't worry about things I can't control," Phillips said. "That's how I look at it. Regardless of what you say or what you do, it's going to get done. It's nothing you can really do about it. The only thing I try to do is go out there and do my job and hope the guys can do their job also.

"I'm just thinking about health and going out there and trying to have a better 2015. That's the only thing I'm really worried about, just trying to stay healthy, get healthy and trying to be a great teammate and continuing to be myself and getting things done."

He doesn't sweat the small stuff -- or, for that matter, the big stuff, like the deals cooking on the Hot Stove this winter.

"I don't really worry about that kind of stuff. I just worry about who's on our team and things that can make us better," Phillips said at Redsfest in early December, glancing through his trademark sunglasses at his then-teammate Mat Latos across the room. "A lot of people are worrying about what's going to happen after 2015 or what's gonna happen during 2015, but those things I can't really control. ... The only thing I can do is go out there and try to motivate those guys, try to get them going and try to bring us a championship and try to bring a ring back to Cincinnati."

Just days later, Latos and fellow starter Alfredo Simon were dealt, hours apart; Latos to Miami and Simon to the Tigers.

Twenty-five minutes after news of the Latos deal broke, Phillips would take to Twitter. He had only one thing to say: #DamnShame.

"I just feel that for us to be better, we've got to stay dedicated, we've got to play small ball, do the small things to get us the wins," Phillips said. "We need to fill in the gaps that we really have. We have some holes in our lineup and in our team, and hopefully [GM] Walt Jocketty and [owner Bob] Castellini can help us out. It was one of those types of years that everybody got hurt last year, and hopefully if it happens again, we have guys that can step in and still be out there and win. I feel like we're a good team, but there's always room for improvement."

The Gold Glove second baseman is quick to admit that the pieces just didn't fall into place for the Cincinnati club last season.

"2014 was a disappointment to the city of Cincinnati," Phillips declared. "I can only speak for myself, but I feel like we didn't win, we didn't get to the playoffs, we didn't win the , and I feel like that's disappointing to the city of Cincinnati. But being disappointed in myself, also. I feel like my year wasn't what I was capable of doing. I've been hurt for the last three years, so hopefully I can stay healthy so I can show everybody that I can still play this game."

Phillips, who has always been active on social media and popular among Reds fans, can only hope that his fans still believe in him.

"I talk to my fans. They follow me on Twitter and Instagram, so they know how I feel about many things, but I still talk to people. I'm getting in shape, I'm getting healthy, and hopefully I stay healthy and show everybody I'm here to stay and I can go out there and be the type of player I used to be," Phillips said. "Once that happens, then we have nothing to worry about and I can bring a championship to this city."

The second baseman prides himself on the relationship he has fostered with the Cincinnati faithful.

"I feel like I'm a people person," Phillips said. "I love my fans. If it wasn't for my fans, I wouldn't be as popular as I am today. I wouldn't have that many Twitter followers or Instagram followers. You play the game for the fans. That's what you're supposed to do. Hopefully the other athletes see that. You've got to show love to them. Fans, you never know whose day you make. Other than that, I just try to go out there and do the small things and be there for the people."

Phillips' Twitter bio reads, in part, "I'm Ya Favorite Athlete's Favorite Athlete." Surely, then, he realizes the role-model effect he has on the younger generation of baseball fans.

"I don't really think about that, but when I hear kids say, 'I want to be like you,' or watching the Little League World Series games and having those kids saying their favorite player is Brandon Phillips, that means a lot," Phillips admitted. "That's what it's all about. For kids to say that, I must be doing my job."

Oh, Brandon Emil Phillips knows he has his doubters.

"When I'm healthy, my play will speak for itself, and I haven't been healthy in three years," he said. "I've played through many injuries. I had wrist surgery the other year, I had thumb surgery this year, I've been playing with a bad calf. There are so many things, but I don't complain about many things, that's just not the type of person I am, but I try to go out there and produce and stay on the field as much as possible, because I feel like I have one career and I'm supposed to go out there and do my job. That's why my numbers haven't been the same, but I still get criticized for being out there.

"If I don't play, then people get mad -- 'Oh, Brandon's milking it. Is he really hurt?' If I do play, but I don't produce, but I still go out there and do an OK job, then I still get criticized.

"I don't care what people think about me. When it comes to the critics and the people saying negative things about me, that's their opinion."

He batted second, third and fourth for first-year skipper last year, and while filling so many different roles wasn't his first choice, he's well-aware of the reasoning behind it.

"It doesn't really matter what I think. It's just what's best for the team," Phillips said. "I want to do what's best for the team, but I feel like I can anywhere. I don't really care where I hit at. If they want me to hit eighth, I'll hit eighth. If that makes the team better, so be it.

"Of course you want to be in [on] the action, where you feel like you're the man. Hitting third, you feel like you're the man. For you to go out there and put you in that position, you've got to feel like you're the man, know that you're the man. When you hit third, at the top of the lineup, you feel like you're in the game. But when I hit lower in the lineup, I feel like I'm just a suspect."

Whether he is "The Man" or a role-playing "suspect," Phillips is content to leave it all to fate.

"I just go out there and be myself, try to stay healthy, and, you know, whatever happens, happens," Phillips said. "Everything's already written already.

"The only thing I know [is], I'm playing a game I love and I'm out there playing for the and I'm living a dream and I haven't woken up yet."

True, Brandon Phillips may not know how the story ends, but he's willing to call it a fairy tale.

"No," he sighed, playing with the tiny blinged-out No. 4 jersey hanging around his neck. "I don't really pinch myself. I just keep on living it. If I'm dreaming, I'm going to keep on enjoying the dream while it lasts."

CBSSPORTS.COM Reds sign Jason Marquis to minor-league deal By Chris Cwik / CBSSports.com

The Reds have signed pitcher Jason Marquis to a minor-league deal, the team announced.

Marquis, 36, spent last season recovering from Tommy John surgery before joining the Phillies in June. He made nine minor-league starts, putting up a 4.18 ERA. Marquis' deal includes an invite to spring training with the major-league club.

Reds Brandon Phillips hoping to stay healthy in 2015 By Michael Hurcomb / CBSSPorts.com

Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips is ready to put a tough 2014 season behind him. Phillips hit just .266 with eight home runs, which was the first time in nine seasons he had less than 10 homers.

He appeared in only 121 games last season after missing time due to thumb surgery.

"I'm just thinking about health and going out there and trying to have a better 2015," he told MLB.com. "That's the only thing I'm really worried about, just trying to stay healthy, get healthy and trying to be a great teammate and continuing to be myself and getting things done."

Staying healthy is a big concern for Phillips, who said he hasn't been at full strength since the 2011 season.

"When I'm healthy, my play will speak for itself, and I haven't been healthy in three years," he said. "I've played through many injuries. I had wrist surgery the other year, I had thumb surgery this year, I've been playing with a bad calf. There are so many things, but I don't complain about many things, that's just not the type of person I am, but I try to go out there and produce and stay on the field as much as possible, because I feel like I have one career and I'm supposed to go out there and do my job. That's why my numbers haven't been the same, but I still get criticized for being out there."

BLEACHER REPORT Predictions for Each Top Offseason Acquisition’s Career with Cincinnati Reds By Kyle Newport / Bleacher Report

The Cincinnati Reds have had a fairly busy offseason, as they have cleared some payroll as well as added talent for the 2015 season. Now, it's time to look at what kind of an impact each player acquired this winter can have with the club.

While some may say that Cincinnati is in a rebuilding stage, that's not the case at all. The Reds cleared some payroll by trading veteran pitchers Alfredo Simon and Mat Latos and got back a pretty good return for each. The players they got in return are meant to help in the future, but they could also contribute to the team this year.

It's no secret that the Reds have a bit of a payroll problem thanks to a handful of big contracts. With those contracts, the club was forced to make some tough decisions this winter. Now, with spring approaching, it will be time to see what the team has in the players it got in return for veteran players this offseason.

Keep reading to see what kind of an impact the Reds' top acquisitions from this offseason will have with the team.

Dec. 2: Traded OF Chris Heisey to the in exchange for RHP Matt Magill

Dec. 11: Traded RHP Alfredo Simon to the in exchange for INF Eugenio Suarez and RHP Jonathon Crawford

Dec. 11: Traded RHP Mat Latos to the in exchange for RHP Anthony DeSclafani and C

Dec. 31: Acquired LF Marlon Byrd from the in exchange for RHP Ben Lively

Entering the offseason, left field was the area that Cincinnati needed to address the most. It took the team a while to acquire a left fielder, but it finally got one when it traded for Marlon Byrd from the Philadelphia Phillies at the end of December.

Byrd was exactly what the Reds were looking for. They wanted a veteran player who could provide pop from the right side of the plate; they were also looking for someone who would only be under contract for a year or two to handle left field until prospect Jesse Winker is ready.

The 37-year-old Byrd has had a bit of a resurgence the past two seasons. After hitting 82 home runs through the first 11 seasons of his career, the has slugged 49 homers over the past two seasons. With the increase in home runs has come an increase in . Byrd struck out a career-high 185 times in 2014.

Byrd is a career .278 hitter. He dropped down to .264 last year, mainly due to a huge spike in strikeouts. Hitting for power shouldn't be much of an issue for Byrd at Great American Ball Park, so even if he is able to adjust his approach to cut down on the whiffs, his power numbers shouldn't drop off much.

At minimum, the Reds will have Byrd for one season. If he does what he was brought in to do and helps the team contend this year, his 2016 option will be exercised. If he is productive but the team struggles early, he could be dealt at the trade deadline.

Byrd should hit a minimum of .270, 20 home runs and 75 RBI. If he can do that to add depth to the bottom half of the order, the Reds will have a pretty deep lineup.

Projection: Short-term power bat

The Reds have gone through their fair share of veteran utility players for the bench the past few seasons. By acquiring Eugenio Suarez in the Alfredo Simon trade, they got a young player who may be able to give the team quality at-bats when called upon— which hasn't been the case with previous utility men.

Suarez hit .242 with four home runs, nine doubles and one triple in 85 games with the Detroit Tigers in 2014. It was the first time he had gotten his feet wet in the majors after spending six seasons in the minors.

The 23-year-old had a career .278 average and a .362 on-base percentage in the minors. He also had 33 home runs in the minors.

Cincinnati lacked a legitimate backup shortstop last year. In years prior, it had been filling the hole with veterans nearing the end of their careers who provided little with the bat. Suarez—who can play shortstop, second base, third base and even some outfield— should bring more to the plate than any of the utility players (Wilson Valdez, Cesar Izturis, etc.) the club has had in recent seasons.

While some Reds fans may wonder if Suarez will be able to supplant Zack Cozart at shortstop, it's unlikely. Suarez may end up hitting for a slightly higher average, but with the way Cozart plays defense, he's the shortstop.

For now, Suarez will serve as a backup utility infielder. If he proves that he can hit at the major league level, he could work his way into the conversation to replace Brandon Phillips at second base when that day comes. However, his main position is shortstop.

Projection: Backup infielder

Anthony DeSclafani was the big piece the Reds got in return for Mat Latos, so there are high hopes for the 24-year-old.

DeSclafani has a good , a promising and a decent . If he can work on his secondary pitches, he could be a very effective in the majors.

It would be crazy to think that DeSclafani will come in and put up Latos-like numbers. However, DeSclafani will get a chance to battle with Tony Cingrani, Raisel Iglesias, Dylan Axelrod and David Holmberg for rotation spots this spring.

In 2014, DeSclafani got to pitch in the majors for the first time in his career. He went 2-2 with a 6.27 ERA in 13 games (five starts) with the Miami Marlins. He did give up 40 hits in 33 innings, but his control was pretty good—which isn't always easy for young pitchers. The right-hander struck out 26 batters and walked just five in his first stint in the majors.

DeSclafani has the talent to be a major league pitcher. If his secondary pitches develop, he could turn into a very solid starting pitcher. If he is unable to improve his changeup, his fastball-slider combination could make him a pretty effective reliever.

Projection: Middle-of-the-rotation starter

Cincinnati needed to address its bullpen without spending much money, and it was able to get a young arm by trading outfielder Chris Heisey to the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for right-hander Matt Magill.

Magill's role with the 2015 Reds is simple: pitch the middle innings.

The Reds have Jumbo Diaz, Sam LeCure and Sean Marshall to pitch the seventh and eighth innings, and Aroldis Chapman is the closer. Whenever Magill gets a chance to join the Reds bullpen, there will be very little pressure on him to take on an important role. That should help him relax and just pitch.

Pitching relaxed is a key because control has been an issue. He struck out 26 and walked 28 in 27.2 innings in his first stint in the majors back in 2013. He then spent the entire 2014 season in Triple-A, where he struck out 70 and walked 59 in 84.2 innings in 36 games (12 starts). The 25-year-old has walked 313 batters in 687 career innings in the minors, with his -to-walk ratio dropping in recent seasons.

Given those control issues, he may need to spend some time in the minors before pitching for Cincinnati. He had been a starter in the early years of his career but switched over to a reliever last season. His control has been a bigger issue in recent seasons, and at Great American Ball Park, pitchers can't afford to give free passes.

Magill has the makings of a middle reliever. He has a good fastball and pretty solid slider. If he can learn to throw strikes consistently and avoid the sweet spot, he will get his chance to be a reliever who can bridge the gap from the starters to the late- inning relievers.

Projection: Middle reliever

IRONTON TRIBUNE Cincinnati Reds Caravan East Tour here on Saturday By Ironton Tribune

The 2015 Cincinnati Reds Caravan kicks off Thursday from the Reds Hall of Fame & Museum with four tours traveling 3,300 miles over four days visiting five states before culminating Sunday, Jan. 25 at Great American Ball Park for the annual Select-A-Seat event. The Caravan is presented by the Cincinnati USA Regional Tourism Network.

The East Tour will travel over 900 miles in , West Virgina and Kentucky.

East Tour Fan Stops (free and open to the public, seating is limited)

Thursday: Athens, Ohio (The Market on State), 6:30 to 9 p.m.

Friday: Charleston, W.Va. (Charleston Town Center) live on 58wchs.com, 6:30 to 9 p.m.

Saturday: Parkersburg/Vienna, W.Va. (Grand Central Mall), 1 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Saturday: Ashland, Ky. (Fannin Motors) live on 800wvhu.com, 4 to 7 p.m.

Sunday: Cincinnati, Ohio (Select-A-Seat at Great American Ball Park), Noon to 2 p.m.

East Tour participants

Thom Brennaman, broadcaster

Walt Jocketty, President of Baseball Operations and General Manager

Tucker Barnhart,

Sam LeCure, pitcher (Thurs.-Sat. only)

Eric Davis, Reds Hall of Famer and Special Assistant to the General Manager

Kyle Waldrop, minor league outfielder

Mr. Redlegs, mascot

Autographs will be done on a first-come, first-served basis while time allows. No posed photographs. There may be restrictions on items celebrities can sign.

At each fan stop (excluding Select-A-Seat) the Reds will raffle off two tickets to the 2015 game on Monday, April 6 (4:10 pm) vs. the and two tickets to T-Mobile ALL-STAR FANFEST® at Duke Energy Convention Center during 2015 MLB All-Star Week (July 10th – 14th).

Reds sales representatives will be at each stop to answer ticketing questions and discuss 2015 ticket plans, while the Reds Hall of Fame, the Reds Community Fund and the Cincinnati USA Regional Tourism Network will attend selected stops.

Memberships to the Reds Heads Kids Club, Reds Rookies Baby Club and Reds Hall of Fame & Museum will be for sale at selected stops.

East Tour will have several radio stops (media welcome, not open to the public) that includes WNXT-AM 1260 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., 602 Chillicothe Street, Portsmouth

WLWT CINCINNATI 2015 Reds Caravan embarks on 5-state tour before Opening Day Caravan to wrap up Sunday with Reds’ Select-A-Seat event at GABP By Ben Petracco / WLWT Cincinnati

CINCINNATI —The 2015 Reds Caravan will hit the road Thursday. The trip is made up of four tours, traveling more than 3,300 total miles and visiting five states, before finishing Sunday at Great American Ball Park for the annual Select-A-Seat event.

The north portion of the tour will travel more than 680 miles throughout Ohio.

The stops for the north tour are the following:

Thursday – Polaris Fashion Place in Columbus, Ohio, from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Friday – Lima Mall in Lima, Ohio, from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Saturday – National Museum of the U.S. Air Force in Dayton, Ohio, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday – Select-A-Seat event at GABP in Cincinnati, Ohio, from noon to 2 p.m.

The north tour participants will be the following:

Jim Day & Jeff Piecoro - broadcasters Bryan Price - Reds manager - All-Star catcher (Thursday & Friday only) Todd Frazier - All-Star third baseman (Saturday & Sunday only) Alex Blandino - Minor League shortstop Jeff Graupe - Director of Player Development Bob Castellini - Reds president & CEO (Lima stop only) Joe Morgan - Hall of Famer & senior advisor to the president and CEO (Lima stop only) Mr. Red – Mascot

The south portion of the tour will travel almost 900 miles through Ohio, Kentucky and Tennessee.

The stops for the south tour are the following:

Thursday - Louisville Slugger Field in Louisville from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Friday - RiverGate Mall in Nashville, Tennessee, from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. (5-7:30 p.m. CST) Saturday - Greenwood Mall in Bowling Green, Kentucky, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. (10 a.m. – 1 p.m. CST) Saturday – Fayette Mall in Lexington, Kentucky, from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday - Select-A-Seat event at GABP in Cincinnati from noon to 2 p.m.

The south tour participants will be the following:

Marty Brennaman - Broadcaster Brayan Peña - Catcher J. J. Hoover - Pitcher Scott Williamson -1999 NL All-Star & Rookie of the Year Phillip Ervin - Minor League outfielder Sam Grossman - Senior director of Baseball Analytics Bob Castellini - Reds president & CEO (Louisville stop only) Joe Morgan - Hall of Famer & senior advisor to the president and CEO (Louisville stop only) Gapper – Mascot

The east tour will travel more than 900 miles through Ohio, West Virginia and Kentucky.

The stops for the east tour are the following:

Thursday – The Market on State in Athens, Ohio, from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday – Charleston Town Center in Charleston, West Virginia, from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday - Grand Central Mall in Parkersburg/Vienna, West Virginia, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday – Fannin Motors in Ashland, Kentucky, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday - Select-A-Seat event at GABP in Cincinnati from noon to 2 p.m.

The east tour participants will be the following:

Thom Brennaman - Broadcaster Walt Jocketty - President of Baseball Operations and general manager Tucker Barnhart - Catcher Sam LeCure - Pitcher (Thursday-Saturday only) Eric Davis - Reds Hall of Famer and special assistant to the general manager Kyle Waldrop - Minor League outfielder Mr. Redlegs – Mascot

The west tour will travel more than 800 miles through Ohio and Indiana.

The stops for the east tour are the following:

Thursday – Stoops Automotive in Muncie, Indiana, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday – Eastland Mall in Evansville, Indiana, from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. (5 to 7:30pm CST) Saturday – College Mall in Bloomington, Indiana, from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday – Castleton Square Mall in Indianapolis, Indiana, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday - Select-A-Seat event at GABP in Cincinnati, Ohio, from noon to 2 p.m.

The west tour participants will be:

Jim Kelch & Jeff Brantley - Broadcasters Billy Hamilton - Outfielder Glenn Braggs - Former outfielder Jesse Winker - Minor League outfielder Dick Williams - Vice president, assistant general manager (Thursday, Friday & Sunday only) Bob Castellini - Reds president & CEO (Indianapolis stop only) Joe Morgan - Hall of Famer & senior advisor to the president & CEO (Indianapolis stop only) Rosie Red – Mascot

All of the tour stops are free and open to the public.

Wrapping up the Reds Caravan will be the Reds’ Select-A-Seat on Sunday.

The Select-A-Seat event will provide fans who are buying season tickets an opportunity to choose their seats.

“Fans can walk the ballpark to pick the seats that are best them for the 2015 season,” said Phil Castellini, Reds chief operating officer. “And Select-A-Seat is the last chance to guarantee 2015 Major League Baseball All-Star Game tickets by purchasing Reds half-season ticket plans and above.”

ASSOCIATED PRESS Reds agree to minor league deal with righty Jason Marquis By The

CINCINNATI —

The Cincinnati Reds and right-hander Jason Marquis have reached agreement on a minor league contract that includes an invite to spring training.

The 36-year-old Marquis had elbow-reconstruction surgery in July 2013. He pitched briefly for the Philadelphia Phillies Triple-A affiliate last year, going 3-1 with a 4.63 ERA in eight starts before being released.

Marquis is 121-114 in 14 big league seasons with eight teams. An All-Star in 2009 for Colorado, Marquis has a 4.56 ERA with 1,137 strikeouts in 1921 innings.

The Reds announced the deal Wednesday.

THE CATHOLIC TELEGRAPH Donation from Reds’ Chapman to Mount St. Joseph a gesture of friendship By John Stegeman / The Catholic Telegraph

Word spread quickly in mid-January that the Mount St. Joseph University men’s volleyball team was getting a new locker room courtesy of Cincinnati Reds‘ closer Aroldis Chapman. The All-Star pitcher donated nearly 80 percent of the needed funds for the locker room renovation. How did a Cuban-born MLB player come to be associated with an NCAA Division III men’s volleyball program?

The short answer is that Chapman is close friends with Cesar Trigo de Serrano, a senior on The Mount’s volleyball team. The long answer is a testament to God’s providence.

Cesar Trigo de Serrano isn’t your traditional undergraduate student at Mount St. Joseph. At 28, the history major is the oldest member of the men’s volleyball team and is an adult transfer student.

Born and raised in Miami, Fla. to Cuban immigrant parents, de Serrano attended Catholic schools through his early education. He attended the University of Mount Olive in North Carolina for two years on a volleyball scholarship for the 2006 and 2007 seasons. On the court, de Serrano was one of the Trojans’ cornerstones. He remains tied for sixth all-time in kills in a single game (21) at Mount Olive. Off the court was a different story as de Serrano no longer felt happy at the school, and wanted to try a larger university.

“He had played there for two seasons and he struggled a little bit academically and getting things done there,” Mount St. Joseph men’s volleyball coach Ryan Lengerich said. “He’ll be the first to tell you he made some mistakes and maybe his commitment level wasn’t what it should have been.”

After Mount Olive de Serrano transferred out and moved to Cincinnati to be near his girlfriend. He began taking classes at the University of Cincinnati, but believed his volleyball career was over.

A chance meeting with Chapman became the basis for a friendship that led de Serrano back to the court.

“I’m pretty sure someone in here knows what I’m saying”

In 2010, not long after relocating to Cincinnati de Serrano made a late-night stop at a gas station while on the phone with his mother. Speaking Spanish in a Cuban accent, he noticed another gas station patron paying attention to him.

“I tell my mom, I’m pretty sure someone in here knows what I’m saying…,” de Serrano said. “He kept smiling and I told her he definitely knew what I was saying. So I hang up the phone and he walks up to me and he goes, ‘Are you Cuban?’ I go, ‘Yeah.’”

It took until Chapman revealed his name for de Serrano to realize Chapman was a famous Cuban ballplayer recently signed with the Reds.

According to de Serrano, Chapman didn’t know many people in the area so the two exchanged information and have since become close friends.

“The years kept passing and we just got closer and closer,” de Serrano said. “We’d hang out almost every single day when he’s here.”

The friendship born of that encounter helped lead de Serrano to The Mount.

“We only have a small window in our lives to be an athlete”

A friend of de Serrano was affiliated with a former MSJ volleyball assistant coach. The friend mentioned the program was looking to rebuild and de Serrano would be a perfect fit, even if it had been several years since he played.

While considering the offer, de Serrano talked it over with Chapman.

“One day I sat down with Chapman and was telling him the story about the possibility of me being a student-athlete again,” de Serrano said. “His eyes immediately lit up and he got really excited. He goes, ‘Hey man, we only have a small window in our lives to be an athlete. Now if you can be a student-athlete, even better.’ He told me, ‘I’m not going to be able to throw 100 miles per hour forever, but I can do it now. While I can do it, I want to take advantage of that situation. I think you should do the same.’ Slowly but surely he talked me into it.”

Lengerich wanted de Serrano for his athletic ability, but his commitment to academics and his teammates were equally important.

“This year he’s been outstanding and in great physical shape,” Lengerich said. “He had an outstanding semester, making the Dean’s List… He’s a real leader amongst these guys.”

In addition to Chapman’s encouragement, de Serrano liked several things about Mount St. Joseph, including the small school feel and volleyball program. A major selling point, however, was the school’s Catholic designation.

“God really works in very mysterious ways”

De Serrano, a Catholic, said he and Chapman share a common faith and talk about God often. In de Serrano’s case, his faith made Mount St. Joseph a more attractive fit.

“It played a huge role,” he said. “Growing up I went to Catholic school pretty much my whole life… This place definitely was the ideal place for me as a Catholic school, and small. It had the thing I wanted in volleyball.”

Lengerich, who makes the faith part of the volleyball program with pre-practice prayers, said de Serrano has even led the team by praying in Spanish.

“When we talked about him enrolling here at MSJ, I asked him why?” Lengerich said. “I want my guys to come here for the right reasons. I don’t want them to come here just to play volleyball. If they’re coming just to play volleyball that’s a problem…. One of the first things he said was ‘Well I’m Catholic and its a Catholic university and I really understand the values here and that means a lot to me.’”

Looking back at the way de Serrano and Chapman each made their way to Cincinnati, and how each was in the same gas station at the same time on the night they met, de Serrano said he can’t help but see God’s hand involved. He calls Chapman his “guardian angel.”

“I definitely do (see God’s hand),” de Serrano said. “(Chapman) and I talk about that a lot. How God really works in very mysterious ways. We’ve talked about when he defected how many other teams could have picked him up. And how of so many other cities, I came to be here in Cincinnati and at that particular point in time, that night, we both walked into the same exact gas station. Not only did we meet, but we met and became best of friends. God really does work in very mysterious ways.”

“Aren’t you even going to listen to the amount?”

As de Serrano’s biggest supporter, Chapman had promised he would attend one of The Mount’s’ home games. Because the NCAA volleyball season and MLB’s spring training coincide, that didn’t seem possible.

During de Serrano’s first season with Mount St. Joseph, he became injured and thought his season was done for good, but Chapman didn’t let him give up.

“He said keep faith,” de Serrano said. “Keep your eyes open and keep a positive state of mind and things will be alright.”

Two days after receiving that message via text was March 19, 2014. In a spring training game against Kansas City, Chapman was hit in the head by a line drive, suffering a skull fracture. De Serrano was shaken by the moment, but Chapman would recover well. The injury sent Chapman back to Cincinnati before the end of volleyball season. About the same time, de Serrano was cleared to play again.

“One day he surprised me,” de Serrano said. “He kind of unannounced just showed up to one of our games.”

Lengerich said de Serrano didn’t mention his connection to Chapman for sometime.

“He’s not going to walk around campus saying, ‘I’m friends with a bunch of Cincinnati Reds.’ That’s not his style,” Lengerich said. “Then Aroldis Chapman shows up at one of our games with Logan Ondrusek and maybe another player. We’ve got these Cincinnati Reds are our little volleyball game. There’s not a big crowd so when there’s any type of celebrity in the stands they get noticed.

“I was able to meet Aroldis after the game and Cesar introduced me,” Lengerich added. “He was a perfect gentleman and was really nice. You could tell he was a very big supporter of what Cesar was doing and his game.”

Now acquainted with the volleyball program, Chapman had heard from de Serrano about the teams’ effort to raise money for a new locker room. A leader on the team, de Serrano took the effort seriously.

“Back in August or September we started having fundraisers,” he said. “We wanted to make enough money to build a new locker room. We worked a football game and worked our tails off but we fell short. It really touched me the way everyone was out there working and I could see in their faces how bummed everyone was that we weren’t going to have a new locker room.”

Lengerich said with the pace of fundraising, getting a new locker room was “a matter of years.” De Serrano wasn’t willing to wait, and went to his friend Chapman.

“We kind of fell short of our goal in our fundraiser,” de Serrano told the all-star pitcher. “I was wondering if you were willing to help out. He said,’ Yeah I’ll help out. You know that.’ I asked, ‘Aren’t you even going to listen to the amount?’ He goes, ‘I don’t care. It doesn’t matter. I’m going to help out.’”

“It is legitimately a pro-style locker room”

The Mount St. Joseph men's volleyball locker room is seen post-renovation in this photo released by the school. (Courtesy Photo)

With the donation coming just months before the season, Lengerich made sure the renovation got rolling immediately.

“We got moving on it right away,” he said. “Cesar is a senior and this is his last season playing. It didn’t make any sense to us to sit on our hands for a year before getting around to doing it. Obviously Cesar had a large hand in bringing this in… We needed to get this done for him, for his senior year.”

De Serrano had the honor of announcing the renovation to the team. When it was finished, the players were impressed.

“Everybody was just, wow, look at that,” de Serrano said. “It is legitimately a pro-style locker room. I still walk in there today and I sit there and just let it sink all in. I got a little bit emotional one day just sitting in there by myself thinking none of this would have been possible had (Chapman) not talked me into becoming a student-athlete, had he not been there for me every step of the way. If nothing else, I always want people to know how grateful I am to have someone like him in my life.”

Mount St. Joseph’s volleyball program is still young. Started just five years ago, Lengerich said he isn’t aware of the program receiving any major donations, let alone something of this caliber.

“We’ve never had really any significant donation to men’s volleyball that I’m aware of. This is totally unprecedented. That’s why it is so exciting,” Lengerich said. “Any amount of money, whatever amount it is, has a big impact… People way up the chain further than me talk about this when seeking donations. You don’t have to donate $5 million to have an impact here — but if you want to, we’ll take it.

The Lions’ season opened Jan. 17 and their first home contest is Jan. 24 at noon against Medaille College.

TRANSACTIONS Date Transaction 01/21/15 Miami Marlins invited non-roster RHP Brian Ellington to spring training. Miami Marlins invited non-roster LF Austin Wates to spring training. Miami Marlins invited non-roster 1B Viosergy Rosa to spring training. Miami Marlins invited non-roster SS Austin Nola to spring training. Miami Marlins invited non-roster SS Justin Bohn to spring training. Miami Marlins invited non-roster RHP Nick Wittgren to spring training. Miami Marlins invited non-roster C Sharif Othman to spring training. Miami Marlins invited non-roster 2B Avery Romero to spring training. Miami Marlins invited non-roster RHP Trevor Williams to spring training. designated RHP Gonzalez Germen for assignment. designated 2B Marco Scutaro for assignment. traded C Carlos Corporan to Texas Rangers for RHP Akeem Bostick. signed free agent RHP Max Scherzer. Cincinnati Reds signed free agent RHP Jason Marquis to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training.