With the acquisition of pitcher Mat Latos from the San Diego Padres, the Cincinnati Reds have made it as clear as a crisp post-season October sky; they plan to compete in 2012.

Great American Ballpark – Home of the Cincinnati Reds Opening Day Game
2009

The Reds began 2011 with a bang and fans were excited to enjoy a successful season. However the team faltered, in large part due to inconsistent starting pitchers, and the team eventually slipped slowly but surely out of contention. Granted the Reds are in a tough division as they battled regularly against the two teams that eventually made it to the National League Championship game in 2011 – the Milwaukee Brewers and St Louis Cardinals. The Cardinals, of course, went on to win the World Series.

However the days of Marge Schott are gone, and Reds management no longer favors players based on their lack of facial hair, nor do they rely on the fur from a dearly demised saint bernard for good luck. Reds general manager Walt Jocketty knows what needs require attention and controlling owner Bob Castellini is willing to do what it takes put together a winning team.

Mat Latos is a young, powerful addition to the Reds where they need it most – starting pitching. In 2011 Johnny Cueto (9-5, 2.31 ERA), Mike Leake (12-8, 3.86 ERA) and Homer Bailey (9-7, 4.43 ERA) were the only Reds starters with winning records. Veteran Bronson Arroyo was iffy at best, finishing the season at 9-12. Latos went 9-14 for the Padres in 2011 , but that was without the strength of a stellar offense he will have backing him up as he pitches for the Reds. Latos ERA was 3.47, and he held opponents to a batting average of .233; he is only 24 and the Reds clearly anticipate long term success from him.

In exchange for Latos, the Reds gave up pitcher Edinson Volquez who ended 2010 with a less than impressive record of 5-7 and 5.71 ERA. They also lost Yonder Alonso, who was ranked as the Reds number two prospect; yet Alonso was unable to reach his full potential at first base with Joey Votto firmly entrenched in the starting lineup. Other top prospects were included in the trade as well, but the Reds aren’t overly focused future potential, they are about winning in the here and now.

Walt Jocketty told reporters, “Our offseason objective was to try to upgrade our rotation and add a top-of-the-rotation starter.” Though only time will tell, Lato does indeed seem to fulfill this objective, and if nothing else it is clear the Reds are taking the steps they find necessary to succeed moving forward. It’s hard for any fan to take issue with that.

Lisa has been a fan of the Cincinnati Reds since her family moved to Cincinnati when she was in elementary school. Her favorite player is the great Barry Larkin and she looks forward to him receiving his just rewards and being inducted in the Hall of Fame. Lisa was away at college when the Reds won the World Series in 1990 and forever regrets not being in town to celebrate appropriately. She longs for the day when her Reds win it all again.

Cash Kruth, “Cincinnati Reds land Mat Latos in five-player deal with San Diego Padres,” reds.com

Player Stats, reds.com

Note: This article was written by a Yahoo! contributor. Sign up here to start publishing your own sports content.

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

Back to top

Any team would be thrilled to have Brandon Phillips(notes). He plays hard every day and has the stats to prove it. Phillips won his third Golden Glove award in 2011 and his first Silver Slugger – he is the best the game has to offer at 2 ^nd base. Brandon Phillips has indicated he wants to stay in Cincinnati for the rest of his major league career, until it comes time for him to retire. If that is truly what Phillips wants, there is no doubt he can make that happen.

Aroldis Chapman looks to take the field for the Cincinnati Reds this September to help the Reds chances for a strong playoff run
Wikimedia Commons

The days of Marge Schott are long gone, and the current majority owner of the Cincinnati Reds, Bob Castellini, is a smart, reasonable man who wants to see this team succeed. Castellini agreed to a one year contract extension for Phillips for the 2012 season for $12 million. He has indicated publicly he’d like to keep Phillips on the Reds. However he isn’t going to sacrifice the entire team for the sake of Phillips, and Brandon Phillips shouldn’t ask him to do so.

Brandon Phillips is at the top of his game, coming off a stellar season, the sky is the limit. He says he wants to remain with the Reds, yet he has also indicated he is unwilling to take a “hometown discount” and compromise to do so. With enormous amount of money players make these days, it is not unusual for a player to take a little less to stay where they want to play and help their team remain competitive.

To say Brandon Phillips is popular in Cincinnati is like saying that kids enjoy candy. Much like his idol Barry Larkin was in the 90′s, Brandon Phillips is the face of the Reds in Cincinnati. He is followed on Twitter by the masses and is considered an all-around good guy. Last year when one of his young followers tweeted him about an upcoming baseball game, Phillips surprised the 14 year old and his teammates by showing up to cheer them on. Talk about making a kid’s day. Perhaps all-around great guy would be a more appropriate description.

Brandon Phillips is the kind of ball player that parents are happy to have their children look to as a role model. If he wants to stay in Cincinnati, and play on a team that is on track to compete in the post season, he may have to compromise. He’s a smart man, and he’s a good man. Chances are Phillips will do what it takes to stay on the team, and in the city, he has grown to love.

Travis Gettys, “Phillips: Contract Talk About Years, Not Money,” wlwt.com

John Fay, “Reds applaud Astros move to American League,” cincinnati.com

‘Duk, “Brandon Phillips shocks Twitter follower by showing up at his game,” Yahoo! Sports

Lisa has been a fan of the Cincinnati Reds since her family moved to Cincinnati when she was in elementary school. Her favorite player is the great Barry Larkin and she looks forward to him receiving his just rewards and being inducted in the Hall of Fame. Lisa was away at college when the Reds won the World Series in 1990 and forever regrets not being in town to celebrate appropriately. She longs for the day when her Reds win it all again.

Note: This article was written by a Yahoo! contributor. Sign up here to start publishing your own sports content.

Cincinnati, OH (Sports Network) – The Cincinnati Reds exercised their 2012
club option on second baseman Brandon Phillips on Monday.

Phillips, a two-time All-Star, batted a career-best .300 with 18 home runs and
82 RBI for the Reds this past season, his sixth with the team.

The Reds also declined their team option on closer Francisco Cordero for next
season.

Cordero was 5-3 with a 2.45 earned run average with 42 strikeouts, 22 walks
and 37 saves.

In other Reds news, the team outrighted pitchers Daryl Thompson and Jared
Burton, while starter Matt Maloney was claimed off waivers by the Minnesota
Twins.

Thompson appeared in one game last season and was shelled, giving up five runs
on six hits in a 10-4 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies.

Burton appeared in six games for the Reds, posting no record with three walks,
three strikeouts and a 3.86 ERA.

In 18 2/3 innings last season, Maloney was 0-3 with a 9.16 ERA, 13 strikeouts
and four walks.

The Sports Network

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Cincinnati Reds general manager Walt Jocketty signed a three-year contract extension on Friday that will keep him with the club through 2014.

Jocketty joined the organization in January 2008 and was named general manager months later, helping assemble the 2010 Cincinnati team that won the franchise’s first division title in 15 years. His contract was due to expire at the end of this season.

“We’ve made a lot of progress in this organization, but we still have a long way to go,” Jocketty said on Friday before the Reds game against the Pirates. “It was good to sit down with [team president Bob] Castellini and work this out and do three years, because I want to continue to grow this organization to the point where we will be perennial contenders.”

The 60-year-old executive was the general manager in St. Louis from 1995-2007. His Cardinals teams advanced to two World Series, winning the 2006 title.

When Jocketty arrived in Cincinnati, the Reds hadn’t had a winning season since 2000 and were coming off a 90-loss season. Two years later – after Jocketty acquired players such as Scott Rolen and Ramon Hernandez – the team won 91 and finished five games ahead of second-place St. Louis for the NL Central title.

“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 was given the major league executive of the year award by the Sporting News after last season, the third time he received the award that is voted on by his peers.

While the Reds’ success in 2010 was a surprise to some, the team was expected to contend this season but instead will finish in third place, floundering after a 25-17 start had them in first place on May 17.

“We came with a goal to build this organization into a winner,” Jocketty said. “We’re not quite there yet, and I felt there was still a lot of unfinished business to take care of.”

Reigning NL MVP Joey Votto and all-star outfielder Jay Bruce are among Cincinnati position players signed through next season, and the team holds an option on All-star second baseman Brandon Phillips. Six pitchers who will make at least 20 starts are locked up, as is Cuban ace Aroldis Chapman.

“I think it’s great for our city, great for Walt, great for the organization,” Reds manager Dusty Baker said. “He’s a quality man. I’ve known him for a long time and he’s been the same.”

Copyright 2011 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Three managers, eight pitchers and the team’s longest game since moving to Washington weren’t enough to keep the Nationals from their sixth consecutive loss.

Joey Votto led off the 14th inning with his second home run of the game, lifting the Cincinnati Reds over the Nationals 5-4 Sunday after the teams played 5 hours, 15 minutes.

“It’s too bad somebody wasn’t in scoring position,” said manager Davey Johnson, who was ejected in the seventh inning for arguing that Reds starter Johnny Cueto had hit Michael Morse. “We would have walked (Votto).”

Reds pinch-hitter Yonder Alonso opened the ninth with a home run off Drew Storen, making it 4-all.

Votto hit a full-count pitch from Collin Balester (1-3), Washington’s seventh and last relief pitcher, into the left-field bleachers to push the Reds over .500 for the first time since July 3.

“I knew he was a good (opposite-field) hitter,” Balester said. “He just reached out and put it over the fence and the game ended.”

It was a familiar scene for him: Balester was on the mound for the Reds’ 4-3 walkoff win Friday.

The Nationals matched their worst losing streak of the season. Not since they moved from Montreal in 2005 had they played for so long — the previous longest was 5:13 on Sept. 14, 2007, a 13-inning game against Atlanta.

The Nationals left after the game for Atlanta, where they get Monday off.

After taking over for Johnson, bench coach Pat Corrales was ejected for complaining about a pitch. The Nationals ended up being led by third-base coach Bo Porter.

The Nationals loaded the bases with one out in the top of the 10th, but Ian Desmond lined to shortstop Edgar Renteria, who stepped on second for an unassisted double play.

Cueto and five Reds relievers combined for 19 strikeouts, tying the team record. Cueto fanned 11 in seven innings and maintained his NL ERA lead despite allowing a season-high nine hits. He gave up two runs and finished the day with a 2.05 ERA — up from the 2.03 figure he took into the game. Cueto hit two batters and walked one.

Washington pushed across a run with two outs in the first on a single by Rick Ankiel, Morse’s walk and Danny Espinosa’s single.

Votto hit a solo homer in the first and his 26th of the season to win it.

Jay Bruce put the Reds ahead in the fourth with his 28th homer. The Nationals strung together consecutive inning-opening singles by Desmond, Jayson Werth and Ankiel to make it 2-all in the fifth.

Cueto contributed a surprising single to Cincinnati’s one-run rally in the fifth. Ryan Hanigan, 10 for 21 (.476) in his previous six starts going into the game, led off with a single on his way to going 3 for 4. After Paul Janish flied out, Cueto softly lined a slug bunt past pitcher Jordan Zimmermann’s head into center field for his second hit in 41 at-bats this season. Zimmermann hit Brandon Phillips with a pitch to load the bases and walked Fred Lewis, giving the Reds a 3-2 lead.

Zimmermann, making what is expected to be his last start of the season, allowed six hits and three runs with one walk and six strikeouts in 4 1-3 innings, his shortest of the season. He had made 25 starts and pitched 161 1-3 innings in his first full season since undergoing Tommy John surgery in August 2009.

“This start right here makes me want to get back on the mound,” he said. “It’ll make me more ready to get back on the mound in spring training.”

Third baseman Ryan Zimmerman, 3 for 25 (.120) over his last six games, didn’t start for the Nationals, but he tied it in the eighth by driving in Espinosa from second base with a two-out, pinch-hit single off Aroldis Chapman.

The Nationals took a ninth-inning lead when Desmond led off with a single, stole second and scored on Werth’s single.

Alonso tied it with his third homer since being called up from Triple-A Louisville on July 26. Storen has blown fifth of 39 save opportunities.

NOTES: Reds 3B Scott Rolen has started taking ground balls and live batting practice and hopes to leave soon on a rehab assignment. He underwent arthroscopic surgery on Aug. 3 to remove bone spurs and fragments from his left shoulder. … After a day off Monday in Atlanta, the Nationals open a three-game series against the Braves with RHP Livan Hernandez making his 36th career start against them, the most by any active pitcher. Milwaukee’s Randy Wolf is next with 26 starts. … Cincinnati RHP Homer Bailey makes his first career home start Monday against the Phillies after going 0-2 with a 7.00 ERA in four starts at Philadelphia.