Jones could return in closer's role

[ghettochild]

Jones could return in closer's role
By Marc Lancaster
Post staff reporter

When Dan O'Brien goes shopping for pitching at the winter meetings, his primary need will remain the same as it has been since he took over as Reds general manager - upgrading the starting rotation.

But that doesn't mean that's all he'll be looking for. Though the Reds have steady veterans David Weathers and Kent Mercker returning to the bullpen next year and a handful of up-and-coming pitchers led by Todd Coffey and Brian Shackelford in the fold, they wouldn't mind adding some depth and experience in relief.

To that end, the Reds have had preliminary discussions with representatives of closer Todd Jones and middle-relief workhorse Rick White, among others.

Jones, 37, saved 40 games for the Marlins in 2005, a year after appearing in 51 games for the Reds before being dealt to Philadelphia at the trade deadline.

In a free-agent market rife with potential closers, Jones would be an option in a price range the Reds may be able to handle - though he would be far more expensive this time than the $425,000 the Reds signed him for in 2004.

Jones' agent, Randy Hendricks, said in an e-mail Friday that the Reds have expressed an interest in bringing the right-hander back, but "nothing is imminent."

The Braves, Indians and Orioles also reportedly have made inquiries about Jones.

White, who turns 37 later this month, is a Springfield, Ohio, native with nearly 10 years of big-league experience. He first reached the majors in 1994 with the Pirates, the team that originally drafted him, and also has suited up for the Devil Rays, Mets, Rockies, Cardinals, White Sox, Astros and Indians.

He rejoined the Pirates on a minor league deal in 2005 and ended up appearing in a career-high 71 games, going 4-7 with a 3.72 ERA.

White's agent, Dan Horwits, said Friday that he has had a couple of conversations with the Reds and he plans to meet with their contingent next week in Dallas.

"For relief pitchers, there's obviously a heightened market," said Horwits. "In Rick's case, a guy that throws 65-70 games a year, there's an interest. And there is mutual interest on his part in Cincinnati, for sure."

O'Brien doesn't comment on specific players, but said the Reds are keeping all of their options open in their never-ending search for arms.

NEW FACE - O'Brien said this week that he had free rein to go about his offseason business, and he backed that up Friday by beefing up his front office.

The Reds hired Andres Reiner, who spent the last 17 years with the Houston Astros, as a special assistant to the general manager for player development - a newly created position.

Reiner, 70, is well-regarded around baseball for his work in establishing a base of operations in Venezuela for the Astros. Houston's pioneering academy in the South American country produced high-level talent such as Bobby Abreu, Johan Santana, Freddy Garcia and Carlos Guillen in recent years.

O'Brien said Reiner will work with player development director Tim Naehring and field coordinator Bob Miscik on all aspects of development, but he will not be directly involved in international scouting.

"He's going to be involved in many areas, but certainly one area is, he's going to be partially responsible for the transition for the young Latin players who've come to this country to play in the States," O'Brien said.

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[Geki Ace]

Meh. I think whatever we pay for Jones will be more than what he'll do for us, and there's no point to getting White. I see, at most, two spots available in the bullpen left, and that's with us having 13 pitchers.