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Hall of Fame baseball writer Hal McCoy has retired from the Dayton Daily News after covering the Cincinnati Reds for 37 years. Hal's blog, though, will continue to be a must-read for Reds fans. He'll share his thoughts on the team this season and will file updates from Great American Ball Park. You also can catch Hal in print every Sunday in his popular Ask Hal columnHome > Blogs > The Real McCoy | Cincinnati Reds baseball news > Archives > 2008 > December > 27
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Taveras believes he can do better
Willy Taveras didn’t have a spectacular season with the 2008 Colorado Rockies, hitting only .251 with an on base average of .308.
Those are not glossy numbers for a leadoff hitter. And it makes the fact that he stole 68 bases in 75 tries just short of spectacular.
As the new center fielder and leadoff hitter for the Cincinnati Reds, signed to a two-year contract Saturday, Taveras believes he can do better.
And so does Jamie Quirk, a new member of the Reds front office who watched Taveras last year while Quirk was a bench coach for the Rockies.
In fact, it was Quirk who pushed Reds general manager Walt Jocketty toward acquiring the 27-year-old Dominican.
“We tried to do a trade with Colorado for Taveras earlier, but it didn’t work out,” said Jocketty. “When the Rockies didn’t tender him (offer him a contract after the season), we called his agent and got this done.”
About his fallen batting average and on base percentage in 2008, Jocketty said, “Jamie Quirk believes Willy got away from his game plan. He needs to bunt more and keep the ball on the ground and get some infield hits. I don’t know if he tried to hit home runs, or what, but Jamie think he changed his approach and that we can get him back to where he was in 2007 (.320 batting average in 2007 over 97 games with a .367 on base average 33 stolen bases in 42 attempts).”
Taveras doesn’t believe playing in Coors Field changed his game, “Just that things didn’t work out and I know I can do better and will do better.”
He likes the fact Quirk is with the Reds on his side.
“Jamie knows me and knows my game and he worked a lot with me,” said Taveras. “We get along real well and he helped me a lot. He kept after me to stay on top of my game.”
Of more import to Taveras is the fact he’ll be playing for manager Dusty Baker, who called him to consider signing with the Reds.
“I’ve heard from plenty of guys about how good it is to play for Dusty,” said Taveras. “You know he is in charge and he lets you do what you do best. And I’m told he never has any problems with his players. I’m really looking forward to playing for the Reds and for Dusty Baker.
“I’ll play hard and do what I can do to help the team win and I know it is a young team and I believe I can help it.”
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TweetReds sign Willy Taveras
The Cincinnati Reds filled their leadoff hole by signing free agent outfielder Willy Taveras to a two-year deal.
Taveras, who turned 27 on Christmas Day, hit only .251 with a .308 on base average with the Colorado Rockies, but stole 68 bases in 75 tries.
But in 2007 Taveras hit .320 in 97 games with a .367 on base average with the Rockies.
Prior to playing in Colorado, Taveras had two solid years in Houston, hitting .291 in 2005 and .278 in 2006, playing 152 and 149 games. He stole 33 bases in 2006 and 33 in 2007.
It is expected Taveras, a native of the Dominican Republic who lives in Pearland, Texas, will play center field for the Reds.
“We’ve added speed to our club and added defense,” said general manager Walt Jocketty. “He fills a lot of needs for us and what I like he is genuinely excited about coming to the Reds.”
Taveras comes to the Reds on the recommendation of Jamie Quirk, Colorado manager Clint Hurdle’s bench coach last year and now a member of Jocketty’s staff in Cincinnati.
“We tried to do a trade with Colorado for Taveras earlier, but it didn’t work out,” said Jocketty. “When the Rockies didn’t tender him (offer him a contract after the season), we called his agent and got this done.”
About his fallen batting average and on base percentage in 2008, Jocketty said, “Jamie Quirk believes Willy got away from his game plan. He needs to bunt more and keep the ball on the ground and get some infield hits. I don’t know if he tried to hit home runs, or what, but Jamie think he changed his approach and that we can get him back on track.”
Jocketty said the Reds remain in pursuit of a left fielder, “And we’re still trying to sign Jerry Hairston Jr. and he can play some out there in left.”
There was a story this week that Sammy Sosa says he wants to play major-league baseball this year and when Jocketty was kiddingly asked if the Reds were interested in Sosa, he said, “Don’t think so. And I don’t think (manager) Dusty Baker wants him.”
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