Infielder Jeimer Candelario has agreed to a three-year, $45 million contract with the Cincinnati Reds, sources confirmed on Thursday. While the 30-year-old player was non-tendered by the Detroit Tigers in 2022, he rebounded with the Washington Nationals and Chicago Cubs in 2023, posting career highs in home runs (22) and RBIs (70).

Candelario’s experience will come in handy for the Reds as they team him up with a roster of young infielders Elly De La Cruz, Matt McLain, Noelvi Marte, Christian Encarnacion-Strand, and Jonathan India.

The Reds will hope that Candelario’s wealth of experience will help to give them the edge they need to clinch the National League Central title. Reds owner Bob Castellini stated that he would be expanding the team’s payroll in an effort to improve on last season’s 82-80 finish and provide the struggling franchise with its first postseason appearance since 2013.

The post Jeimer Candelario Signs 3-Year Deal With Cincinnati Reds appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Right-hander Nick Martinez has agreed to a two-year, $26 million contract with the Cincinnati Reds, sources familiar with the matter revealed on Thursday. The deal includes an option to opt-out after the first season.

Martinez’s arrival in Cincinnati comes after he pitched 54 games out of the bullpen and made nine starts for the San Diego Padres, posting a 2.32 ERA in 42⅔ innings. After the Padres decided against activating their two-year, $32 million club option on Martinez, the right-hander decided to opt out of the final two years of his contract, foregoing a $16 million payday as a result. Prior to joining the Padres, Martines played four seasons for the Texas Rangers and spent another four seasons in Japan.

Upon successfully completing a medical with the Reds, Martinez will be eligible to receive $14 million in 2024, sources have claimed. He will reportedly receive $12 million during the following season should he decide to opt into his contract.

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The Pittsburgh Pirates delivered a historical comeback on Saturday night to get a 13-12 win over the Cincinnati Reds. Pirates found themselves down by nine runs through the first three innings before scoring 13 unanswered runs to get a memorable victory in an otherwise disappointing campaign.

The comeback against the Reds marked the largest deficit that the Pirates overcame in their franchise history. According to Elias Sports Bureau, the Pittsburgh team was 0-819 in games they trailed by nine runs or more.

The Pirates’ big win was fueled by a big night from first baseman Alfonso Rivas, who tied his career-high by scoring five runs. Second baseman Ji Hwan Bae added three runs while outfielder Bryan Reynolds delivered a 350 homer in the top of the sixth.

“It was just, we’re going to chip away,” said Pirates manager Derek Shelton after the game. “We wanted to get into their bullpen and use as many arms as possible. We just kept chipping, kept having good at-bats.”

The win will make the Pittsburgh Pirates feel a bit better about their season, but they are already out of playoff contention with a 74-81 record.

The Cincinnati Reds, on the other hand, might end up regretting the loss more than usual. They fell to a 79-77 record and now trail 2.5 games for the last wild-card spot in the NL.

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Cincinnati Reds’ youth movement is one of the main reasons why the team is sitting at the top of NL Central and on track to return to the postseason after two years of absence. One of the driving forces of that movement is rookie infielder Elly De La Cruz, who once again put on a show in Wednesday night’s 2-9 win over the Washington Nationals.

De La Cruz’s best moment came in the top of the fifth when the 21-year-old player launched a 455-feet homer to give Cincinnati a 5-1 lead. Before making his run, De La Cruz first pointed out the plastic cover at the end of his bat, referencing an earlier request for a bat check by the Nationals.

Washington’s manager Dave Martinez asked the umpires to check the plastic sensor on De La Cruz’s bat in the second inning. The umpires asked the player to remove it until they checked its legality. After receiving confirmation that the plastic cap was legal, De La Cruz was allowed to put it back on in the third.

“Just to tell everybody that the knob is not the reason why I am doing a good job,” De La Cruz explained his gesture after the home run. “It’s because of all the work I’m putting out there.”

According to De La Cruz, the Reds used the plastic cover during spring training, and he grew accustomed to it. So, when he got his MLB break, he decided to keep using it.

Elly De La Cruz made his debut for the Reds in June and has since become a revelation for the team. De La Cruz is hitting .318 across 26 games and has four home runs to go with 14 RBIs.

The post Reds’ Young Star Elly De La Cruz Has His Bat Checked By Umpires Before Hitting a Homer appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The Cincinnati Reds are for real and they have an 11-game winning streak to prove it. This is the longest active winning streak in the MLB and the most consecutive wins the franchise has had since 1957.

The Reds’ latest victory came against the Colorado Rockies on Wednesday. Despite falling into a 3-0 hole at the top of the fourth, Cincinnati showed impressive resilience to orchestrate a 3-5 comeback win. This was the 12th time this season that the Reds came from behind and emerged victorious, which is also most in the majors.

Veteran outfielder Jake Fraley ended up being the hero for the Reds, hitting a two-run, 359 feet homer at the bottom of the eight to break the 3-3 tie from the fifth inning. 

Speaking with reporters after the game, Reds’ manager David Bell said that the energy his team plays with is “inspiring”.

“It is very inspiring to be around,” Bell said. “It is happening in the clubhouse. It’s happening on the field, and what’s happening in the ballpark, our fans, it’s seeing them enjoy the game. It means a lot to us.”

After losing 100 games last season and making the playoffs only once in the past decade, the Cincinnati Reds seemed to be finally on an upward trajectory. They have been one of the most exciting teams in baseball in 2023, with a roster that combines talented young prospects and experienced veterans.

The recent winning streak helped the Reds to improve to a 40-35 record, and they are currently first in NL Central with 1.5 games advantage over the second-placed Milwaukee Brewers.  

The post Cincinnati Reds Extend Their Winning Streak to 11 Games appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Starting pitcher Hunter Greene agreed to a six-year contract extension with the Cincinnati Reds, the team confirmed on Tuesday. The deal, worth $53 million, provides the 23-year-old player with the prospect of a long-term future with the team after a summer of uncertainty.

Included in the deal is a seventh-year option worth $21 million as well as a buyout clause of $2 million. This agreement also saw the buyout of two years of Greene’s free agency.

“The commitment we made to Hunter reflects his commitment to this organization and to our community,” Reds CEO Bob Castellini stated following the announcement of the right-hander’s contract extension. “He is part of the foundation of young players who will continue to help us build a successful major league team.”

Greene was drafted as the number two pick in 2017, striking out 164 over 125⅔ innings and posting a 4.44 ERA during his rookie season. He underwent Tommy John surgery a little more than a year later, spending the 2020 season with the Reds’ alternate side. During his four starts this season, Green has struck out batters at an even higher rate than he did in his rookie season.

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The Cincinnati Reds were not too interested in spending money on player salaries this season. As a result, Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr., who has been retired since 2010, will be their fourth-highest-paid player.

As ESPN points out, Griffey is still on the Reds’ payroll thanks to the deferred payments agreement he made with the franchise back in 2000. He will earn $3.59 million this season, placing him behind only Joey Votto, Wil Myers, and Mike Moustakas in terms of salary. And Moustakas isn’t even on the Reds’ roster, being released earlier this year.

The Reds acquired Griffey in a trade with the Seattle Mariners in 2000 and signed him to a nine-year $116.5 million extension. As part of the extension, Griffey agreed to defer $57.5 million of the total money at 4% interest. The deferred payments started coming to his account in 2010 and will continue until 2025.

Griffey’s stint with the Reds wasn’t an overwhelming success as the franchise hoped. While he earned three All-Star appearances in Cincinnati, he was often criticized for lack of effort and failed to move the team closer to contention. He ended up being traded to the Chicago White Sox midway through the 2008 campaign before returning to the Mariners, where he ended his career.

The Reds currently have a payroll of $70.6 million in 2023, with Votto taking up the majority of that amount with a $25 million salary. Cincinnati has the 26th lowest payroll in the league, trailing the Tampa Bay Rays, the Pittsburgh Pirates, the Baltimore Orioles, and the Oakland Athletics.

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The Cincinnati Reds would like to see their All-Star first baseman Joey Votto spend his entire career with the franchise. However, if Votto decides he wants to play for his hometown Toronto Blue Jays at some point in the 2023 MLB season, the Reds would be willing to make that happen for him.

Speaking with CBS Sports’ Jim Bowden on Monday, the Reds’ general manager Nick Krall said that the current plan is for Votto to retire as a Red. But in the case that Cincinnati is out of playoff contention before the trade deadline this upcoming season and Votto asks to go to Toronto, then Krall would give him the green light.

Of course, it isn’t enough for the Reds and Votto to sign in on the deal. The Blue Jays would also have to be interested and think that the 39-year-old can help them win baseball games.

Born and raised in Toronto, Joey Votto was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds out of high school in 2002. He made his majors debut in 2007 and went on to become the face of the franchise in years to come. Votto earned six All-Star appearances over the years while also being named NL MVP in 2010.

Approaching the end of his professional career, Votto would likely appreciate the opportunity to play for a contender and add a World Series ring to his resume. It is unlikely that will happen in Cincinnati, considering that the team is in the midst of a rebuild and have failed to make the playoffs in the past two seasons. The ascending Blue Jays, on the other hand, are establishing themselves as one of the AL powerhouses.

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The New York Mets announced the acquisition of veteran outfielder Tyler Naquin and lefty reliever Phillip Diehl in a trade with the Cincinnati Reds. The Mets gave up minor prospect pitcher Jose Acuña and minor prospect second baseman Hector Rodríguez for the duo.

The Reds have been looking to deal Naquin for some time now, considering that he is playing on an expiring contract. The former first-round pick has been batting .246 in 2022 while hitting seven homers with 33 RBIs. The 31-year-old player, who previously also played with the Cleveland Guardians, is a .269 career hitter.

Naquin probably won’t be the start of the show for the Mets, but he does add some depth as a left-handed bat to the team’s outfield that could prove important down the stretch. He is also expected to be a part of the group that handles DH tasks.

Diehl might be considered a throw-in since he’ll head to the minor league for the time being. If he does well there, he might be proved useful for bullpen depth later on.

For the Reds, this deal was about extracting as much possible for devaluated assets. They will add a fine boost to their farm system and might see value from Rodríguez, who was regarded as one of the Mets’ top 30 prospects.

The post Mets Acquire Veterans Tyler Naquin and Phillip Diehl in a Trade With Reds appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The Cincinnati Reds have already decided on their Opening Day starter. The honor belongs to last year’s standout Tyler Mahle, who is now set to face the reigning World Series champs Atlanta Braves when the 2022 MLB season starts on April 7. 

The Reds’ manager David Bell delivered the news to Mahle and said that the 27-year-old player was really excited for the opportunity.

“It was a real honor to give him the news,” Bell said. “He doesn’t always show it, but he was really excited. He knows how important it is, and he’s earned it. He has quietly become one of the best pitchers in baseball.”

Mahle has been quietly good for the Reds ever since he made his majors debut in 2017. However, his game really took off last season when he had league-leading 33 starts. He finished the campaign with a 13-6 record, 3.75 ERA, and career-best 210 strikeouts.

Despite being arguably the best pitcher on the Reds last year, Mahle didn’t expect to get the Opening Day nod. In previous years, Veteran Luis Castillo had that honor and was expected to continue the tradition in 2022. However, Castillo is dealing with shoulder pain at the moment, making the transition easier for Bell.

“It means a lot,” Mahle said after learning the news. “Some people never get to do this. I may only get to do it once. I don’t know so I will try to make the most of it and have a lot of fun.”

The post Reds Announce Tyler Mahle as Opening Day Starter appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Infielder Jeimer Candelario has agreed to a three-year, $45 million contract with the Cincinnati Reds, sources confirmed on Thursday. While the 30-year-old player was non-tendered by the Detroit Tigers in 2022, he rebounded with the Washington Nationals and Chicago Cubs in 2023, posting career highs in home runs (22) and RBIs (70).

Candelario’s experience will come in handy for the Reds as they team him up with a roster of young infielders Elly De La Cruz, Matt McLain, Noelvi Marte, Christian Encarnacion-Strand, and Jonathan India.

The Reds will hope that Candelario’s wealth of experience will help to give them the edge they need to clinch the National League Central title. Reds owner Bob Castellini stated that he would be expanding the team’s payroll in an effort to improve on last season’s 82-80 finish and provide the struggling franchise with its first postseason appearance since 2013.

The post Jeimer Candelario Signs 3-Year Deal With Cincinnati Reds appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Right-hander Nick Martinez has agreed to a two-year, $26 million contract with the Cincinnati Reds, sources familiar with the matter revealed on Thursday. The deal includes an option to opt-out after the first season.

Martinez’s arrival in Cincinnati comes after he pitched 54 games out of the bullpen and made nine starts for the San Diego Padres, posting a 2.32 ERA in 42⅔ innings. After the Padres decided against activating their two-year, $32 million club option on Martinez, the right-hander decided to opt out of the final two years of his contract, foregoing a $16 million payday as a result. Prior to joining the Padres, Martines played four seasons for the Texas Rangers and spent another four seasons in Japan.

Upon successfully completing a medical with the Reds, Martinez will be eligible to receive $14 million in 2024, sources have claimed. He will reportedly receive $12 million during the following season should he decide to opt into his contract.

The post Nick Martinez Signs $26 Million Deal With Cincinnati Reds appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The Pittsburgh Pirates delivered a historical comeback on Saturday night to get a 13-12 win over the Cincinnati Reds. Pirates found themselves down by nine runs through the first three innings before scoring 13 unanswered runs to get a memorable victory in an otherwise disappointing campaign.

The comeback against the Reds marked the largest deficit that the Pirates overcame in their franchise history. According to Elias Sports Bureau, the Pittsburgh team was 0-819 in games they trailed by nine runs or more.

The Pirates’ big win was fueled by a big night from first baseman Alfonso Rivas, who tied his career-high by scoring five runs. Second baseman Ji Hwan Bae added three runs while outfielder Bryan Reynolds delivered a 350 homer in the top of the sixth.

“It was just, we’re going to chip away,” said Pirates manager Derek Shelton after the game. “We wanted to get into their bullpen and use as many arms as possible. We just kept chipping, kept having good at-bats.”

The win will make the Pittsburgh Pirates feel a bit better about their season, but they are already out of playoff contention with a 74-81 record.

The Cincinnati Reds, on the other hand, might end up regretting the loss more than usual. They fell to a 79-77 record and now trail 2.5 games for the last wild-card spot in the NL.

The post Pirates Overcome the Largest Deficit in Franchise History in 13-12 Win over Reds appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Cincinnati Reds’ youth movement is one of the main reasons why the team is sitting at the top of NL Central and on track to return to the postseason after two years of absence. One of the driving forces of that movement is rookie infielder Elly De La Cruz, who once again put on a show in Wednesday night’s 2-9 win over the Washington Nationals.

De La Cruz’s best moment came in the top of the fifth when the 21-year-old player launched a 455-feet homer to give Cincinnati a 5-1 lead. Before making his run, De La Cruz first pointed out the plastic cover at the end of his bat, referencing an earlier request for a bat check by the Nationals.

Washington’s manager Dave Martinez asked the umpires to check the plastic sensor on De La Cruz’s bat in the second inning. The umpires asked the player to remove it until they checked its legality. After receiving confirmation that the plastic cap was legal, De La Cruz was allowed to put it back on in the third.

“Just to tell everybody that the knob is not the reason why I am doing a good job,” De La Cruz explained his gesture after the home run. “It’s because of all the work I’m putting out there.”

According to De La Cruz, the Reds used the plastic cover during spring training, and he grew accustomed to it. So, when he got his MLB break, he decided to keep using it.

Elly De La Cruz made his debut for the Reds in June and has since become a revelation for the team. De La Cruz is hitting .318 across 26 games and has four home runs to go with 14 RBIs.

The post Reds’ Young Star Elly De La Cruz Has His Bat Checked By Umpires Before Hitting a Homer appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The Cincinnati Reds are for real and they have an 11-game winning streak to prove it. This is the longest active winning streak in the MLB and the most consecutive wins the franchise has had since 1957.

The Reds’ latest victory came against the Colorado Rockies on Wednesday. Despite falling into a 3-0 hole at the top of the fourth, Cincinnati showed impressive resilience to orchestrate a 3-5 comeback win. This was the 12th time this season that the Reds came from behind and emerged victorious, which is also most in the majors.

Veteran outfielder Jake Fraley ended up being the hero for the Reds, hitting a two-run, 359 feet homer at the bottom of the eight to break the 3-3 tie from the fifth inning. 

Speaking with reporters after the game, Reds’ manager David Bell said that the energy his team plays with is “inspiring”.

“It is very inspiring to be around,” Bell said. “It is happening in the clubhouse. It’s happening on the field, and what’s happening in the ballpark, our fans, it’s seeing them enjoy the game. It means a lot to us.”

After losing 100 games last season and making the playoffs only once in the past decade, the Cincinnati Reds seemed to be finally on an upward trajectory. They have been one of the most exciting teams in baseball in 2023, with a roster that combines talented young prospects and experienced veterans.

The recent winning streak helped the Reds to improve to a 40-35 record, and they are currently first in NL Central with 1.5 games advantage over the second-placed Milwaukee Brewers.  

The post Cincinnati Reds Extend Their Winning Streak to 11 Games appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Starting pitcher Hunter Greene agreed to a six-year contract extension with the Cincinnati Reds, the team confirmed on Tuesday. The deal, worth $53 million, provides the 23-year-old player with the prospect of a long-term future with the team after a summer of uncertainty.

Included in the deal is a seventh-year option worth $21 million as well as a buyout clause of $2 million. This agreement also saw the buyout of two years of Greene’s free agency.

“The commitment we made to Hunter reflects his commitment to this organization and to our community,” Reds CEO Bob Castellini stated following the announcement of the right-hander’s contract extension. “He is part of the foundation of young players who will continue to help us build a successful major league team.”

Greene was drafted as the number two pick in 2017, striking out 164 over 125⅔ innings and posting a 4.44 ERA during his rookie season. He underwent Tommy John surgery a little more than a year later, spending the 2020 season with the Reds’ alternate side. During his four starts this season, Green has struck out batters at an even higher rate than he did in his rookie season.

The post Hunter Greene Agrees to Six-Year Extension With Reds appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The Cincinnati Reds were not too interested in spending money on player salaries this season. As a result, Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr., who has been retired since 2010, will be their fourth-highest-paid player.

As ESPN points out, Griffey is still on the Reds’ payroll thanks to the deferred payments agreement he made with the franchise back in 2000. He will earn $3.59 million this season, placing him behind only Joey Votto, Wil Myers, and Mike Moustakas in terms of salary. And Moustakas isn’t even on the Reds’ roster, being released earlier this year.

The Reds acquired Griffey in a trade with the Seattle Mariners in 2000 and signed him to a nine-year $116.5 million extension. As part of the extension, Griffey agreed to defer $57.5 million of the total money at 4% interest. The deferred payments started coming to his account in 2010 and will continue until 2025.

Griffey’s stint with the Reds wasn’t an overwhelming success as the franchise hoped. While he earned three All-Star appearances in Cincinnati, he was often criticized for lack of effort and failed to move the team closer to contention. He ended up being traded to the Chicago White Sox midway through the 2008 campaign before returning to the Mariners, where he ended his career.

The Reds currently have a payroll of $70.6 million in 2023, with Votto taking up the majority of that amount with a $25 million salary. Cincinnati has the 26th lowest payroll in the league, trailing the Tampa Bay Rays, the Pittsburgh Pirates, the Baltimore Orioles, and the Oakland Athletics.

The post Ken Griffey Jr. is One of the Reds’ Highest-Paid Players Despite Retiring in 2010 appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The Cincinnati Reds would like to see their All-Star first baseman Joey Votto spend his entire career with the franchise. However, if Votto decides he wants to play for his hometown Toronto Blue Jays at some point in the 2023 MLB season, the Reds would be willing to make that happen for him.

Speaking with CBS Sports’ Jim Bowden on Monday, the Reds’ general manager Nick Krall said that the current plan is for Votto to retire as a Red. But in the case that Cincinnati is out of playoff contention before the trade deadline this upcoming season and Votto asks to go to Toronto, then Krall would give him the green light.

Of course, it isn’t enough for the Reds and Votto to sign in on the deal. The Blue Jays would also have to be interested and think that the 39-year-old can help them win baseball games.

Born and raised in Toronto, Joey Votto was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds out of high school in 2002. He made his majors debut in 2007 and went on to become the face of the franchise in years to come. Votto earned six All-Star appearances over the years while also being named NL MVP in 2010.

Approaching the end of his professional career, Votto would likely appreciate the opportunity to play for a contender and add a World Series ring to his resume. It is unlikely that will happen in Cincinnati, considering that the team is in the midst of a rebuild and have failed to make the playoffs in the past two seasons. The ascending Blue Jays, on the other hand, are establishing themselves as one of the AL powerhouses.

The post Reds Would Consider Trading All-Star 1B Joey Votto to Blue Jays appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The New York Mets announced the acquisition of veteran outfielder Tyler Naquin and lefty reliever Phillip Diehl in a trade with the Cincinnati Reds. The Mets gave up minor prospect pitcher Jose Acuña and minor prospect second baseman Hector Rodríguez for the duo.

The Reds have been looking to deal Naquin for some time now, considering that he is playing on an expiring contract. The former first-round pick has been batting .246 in 2022 while hitting seven homers with 33 RBIs. The 31-year-old player, who previously also played with the Cleveland Guardians, is a .269 career hitter.

Naquin probably won’t be the start of the show for the Mets, but he does add some depth as a left-handed bat to the team’s outfield that could prove important down the stretch. He is also expected to be a part of the group that handles DH tasks.

Diehl might be considered a throw-in since he’ll head to the minor league for the time being. If he does well there, he might be proved useful for bullpen depth later on.

For the Reds, this deal was about extracting as much possible for devaluated assets. They will add a fine boost to their farm system and might see value from Rodríguez, who was regarded as one of the Mets’ top 30 prospects.

The post Mets Acquire Veterans Tyler Naquin and Phillip Diehl in a Trade With Reds appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The Cincinnati Reds have already decided on their Opening Day starter. The honor belongs to last year’s standout Tyler Mahle, who is now set to face the reigning World Series champs Atlanta Braves when the 2022 MLB season starts on April 7. 

The Reds’ manager David Bell delivered the news to Mahle and said that the 27-year-old player was really excited for the opportunity.

“It was a real honor to give him the news,” Bell said. “He doesn’t always show it, but he was really excited. He knows how important it is, and he’s earned it. He has quietly become one of the best pitchers in baseball.”

Mahle has been quietly good for the Reds ever since he made his majors debut in 2017. However, his game really took off last season when he had league-leading 33 starts. He finished the campaign with a 13-6 record, 3.75 ERA, and career-best 210 strikeouts.

Despite being arguably the best pitcher on the Reds last year, Mahle didn’t expect to get the Opening Day nod. In previous years, Veteran Luis Castillo had that honor and was expected to continue the tradition in 2022. However, Castillo is dealing with shoulder pain at the moment, making the transition easier for Bell.

“It means a lot,” Mahle said after learning the news. “Some people never get to do this. I may only get to do it once. I don’t know so I will try to make the most of it and have a lot of fun.”

The post Reds Announce Tyler Mahle as Opening Day Starter appeared first on SportzBonanza.