The Cincinnati Reds issued this release:

             CINCINNATI – Cincinnati Reds President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Walt Jocketty today announced the acquisition of RHP Mat Latos from the San Diego Padres in exchange for IF/OF Yonder Alonso, RHP Brad Boxberger, C Yasmani Grandal and RHP Edinson Volquez.

             Latos, 23, last season for the Padres went 9-14 with a 3.47 ERA in 31 starts and a career-high 194.1 innings. He ranked among the National League leaders in ERA (18th), strikeouts (14th, 185 in 194.1ip), opponents’ batting average (9th, .233) and strikeouts per 9 innings ratio (9th, 8.57). In his last 17 starts of the season, Latos posted a 2.94 ERA and held opposing righthanded batters to a .156 average, the best mark in the Major Leagues over that span.

             “Mat is a big, strong young pitcher with electric stuff,” Jocketty said of the 6-6, 224-pound righthander. “We consider him to be a potential number one starter who, contractually, we have under control for four more years. To acquire a pitcher who is ready to fit into the top of a rotation, you have to give up talent.”

            In 2011, Latos ranked sixth in the National League and T12th in the majors by holding righthanded batters to a .204 average. In his 31 appearances he made 20 quality starts, tied for the lead on the Padres’ staff and just 1 shy of his career high. Three times Latos was the starting pitcher when the Padres snapped what at the time were season-long losing streaks.

            In 72 Major League appearances, all starts, Latos has produced a 3.37 career ERA. In 2010, he tied a Major League record by allowing 2 runs or fewer in 15 consecutive starts.

             Volquez (20gs, 5-7, 5.71) and Alonso (47g, .330, 5hr, 13rbi) played for the Reds last season. Boxberger (55g, 2-4-11, 2.03) pitched at Class AAA Louisville and Class AA Carolina, while Grandal (105g, .305, 14hr, 68rbi) played at Class A Bakersfield, Carolina and Louisville. Volquez is eligible for arbitration for the second time.

 

 

PENSACOLA, Fla., Dec. 9, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Today the Pensacola Blue Wahoos, the Cincinnati Reds’ Double-A farm team, announced its official partnership with the Andrews Institute for Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine, based in Gulf Breeze, Florida.  As the official medical provider for the team, the Andrews Institute, an affiliate of Baptist Health Care, will be responsible for providing orthopaedic and sports medicine care for the players and staff of the Blue Wahoos.   

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20111209/DC19978)

Since its inception, the Andrews Institute has earned a reputation as one of the premier sports medicine centers in the country.  This reputation, and the reputation of its physicians and sports medicine experts, was a key part of attracting the team, according to Bruce Baldwin, President of the Blue Wahoos.   

“When you think about the best athletes in the world, and who they turn to for sports medicine, the Andrews name is a consistent response,” said Baldwin.  ”We are thrilled to have the Andrews Institute as our official sports medicine provider, and it is a real testament to the community that we have such incredible medical talent in the area, which is being recognized for its expertise by this partnership,” Baldwin continued. 

Baldwin said that the selection of any sports medicine provider for a professional sports team is a very competitive, and very exclusive, process.  Not only did the Andrews Institute, its facilities and its medical specialists have to pass muster with the Pensacola Blue Wahoos, but the Institute also had to earn approval from Major League Baseball’s Cincinnati Reds organization.   

“Each of our players, and many of our staff, are assets of, and responsible to, the Cincinnati Reds organization,” said Baldwin. “When you think about what Major League Baseball invests in these athletes, and what the teams are expecting in terms of performance from these athletes, some of whom will play right here in Pensacola, it’s easy to understand how this selection process can be so rigorous and intensive.  Clearly, the Andrews Institute has what it takes, and both the Blue Wahoos and the Reds organizations were impressed with their credentials, their track record, and we were especially happy that the Andrews Institute is right here in the community.” 

The Andrews Institute, a facility of the Pensacola-based Baptist Health Care, is located just minutes from the waterfront stadium where the Blue Wahoos will play, and is named after it’s founder, world-renowned sports medicine physician Dr. James Andrews.  Baptist Health Care President and CEO Al Stubblefield said the partnership with the Blue Wahoos was a great accomplishment for the Andrews Institute.   

“We are honored to have been selected by the Pensacola Blue Wahoos as their official orthopaedics and sports medicine provider,” said Stubblefield. “Baptist Health Care and the Andrews Institute are not only proud to provide world-class medical coverage for the team, but we’re thrilled to have the opportunity to support our community while also enjoying one of the great American past times, watching a game of baseball.”

 

SOURCE Andrews Institute for Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine

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December 5, 2011 – Southern League (SL) Pensacola Blue Wahoos
(Pensacola, Florida) – Ending a blogospheric whirlwind of speculation and anonymously sourced reports, the Pensacola Blue Wahoos today confirmed that Jim Riggleman will be managing the Double-A franchise of the Cincinnati Reds in Pensacola.

Riggleman, a well-seasoned Major League operative, has worked with several Major League clubs including the Padres, Cubs, Mariners, Giants, and Cardinals. Most recently, Riggleman was manager of the Washington Nationals.

Riggleman stated that he was looking forward to working with the Blue Wahoos and being a part of the Reds organization in Pensacola.

“I’m exited about this opportunity to work with the Cincinnati Reds organization and be a part of Pensacola’s venture into a Major League Baseball franchise,” said Riggleman. “Working and playing at the Double-A level has been one of the most fulfilling parts of my baseball career so far. It’s a tremendous environment to work and play in, because these players have tremendous talent. having already worked their way into a Major League Franchise. But each organization has two or even three Single-A teams, and that talent is funneled up to the Double-A level. These guys can see the big leagues from here. They are hungry to win, hungry to prove themselves. I think it’s going to be a fantastic experience for the Blue Wahoos fans, and I’m happy to be a part of it.”

Blue Wahoos team owner Quint Studer said he was excited about RIggleman coming to Pensacola. “Jim is going to be a tremendous asset to the Blue Wahoo club, and I’m excited about the wealth of leadership he brings to the team,” said Studer. “This is another milestone in this long journey to bringing a Major League franchise to Pensacola, and I’m thrilled to have Jim’s talent and experience, as well as the entire Reds organization, be a part of that.”

Bruce Baldwin, president of the Blue Wahoos, echoed Studer’s sentiments. “I’ve known Jim Riggleman for a long time, and I can tell you he’s one of the good guys,” said Baldwin. “He’s a professional, he sets high expectations, and he knows how to get the most out of the guys on the field. It’s a real testament to the Blue Wahoos and the Reds organization as a whole for us to get a talent like Jim.”

Baldwin said that details were still being worked out with Riggleman, but that he was anticipating his arrival after the first of the year. Baldwin also noted that Riggleman and other executives from the Cincinnati Reds would be visiting later this week as part of a farm team tour of the Blue Wahoos organization.

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

CINCINNATI – Cincinnati Reds President and Chief Executive Officer Bob Castellini today announced the signing of President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Walt Jocketty to a 3-year contract extension through the 2014 season.

Jocketty’s original contract was to have expired at the end of the 2011 season.

“Since he’s been here, Walt has vastly improved our baseball operations within the organization,” Castellini said. “You can’t develop a winning tradition without stability. Walt and his staff are doing good things here. We want to keep that momentum going.”

Jocketty joined the organization in January 2008 as a special advisor to Castellini, and three months later he was named to his current position. In 2010, in just his third season at the helm of the club’s baseball operations department, Jocketty led the Reds to the National League Central Division title by 5.0 games with a 91-71 record and their first appearance in the Postseason since 1995.

The 2010 Reds club was the eighth led to the playoffs by Jocketty and, including his time in St. Louis, his seventh to win the NL Central outright. His 2006 Cardinals team won the World Series.

After the Reds’ 2010 championship season, Jocketty was recognized by his peers and Sporting News as Major League Baseball’s Executive of the Year. He also won that prestigious award in 2000 and 2004.

CINCINNATI, OH (FOX19) -

Cincinnati Reds President and Chief Executive Officer Bob Castellini today announced the signing of President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Walt Jocketty to a three-year contract extension through the 2014 season.

Jocketty’s original contract was to have expired at the end of the 2011 season.

“Since he’s been here, Walt has vastly improved our baseball operations within the organization,” Castellini said. “You can’t develop a winning tradition without stability. Walt and his staff are doing good things here. We want to keep that momentum going.”

Jocketty joined the organization in January 2008 as a special advisor to Castellini, and three months later he was named to his current position. In 2010, in just his third season at the helm of the club’s baseball operations department, Jocketty led the Reds to the National League Central Division title by 5.0 games with a 91-71 record and their first appearance in the Postseason since 1995.

The 2010 Reds club was the eighth led to the playoffs by Jocketty and, including his time in St. Louis, his seventh to win the NL Central outright. His 2006 Cardinals team won the World Series.

After the Reds’ 2010 championship season, Jocketty was recognized by his peers and Sporting News as Major League Baseball’s Executive of the Year. He also won that prestigious award in 2000 and 2004.

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