Area H.S. football: Week 2
Puppy mill raid
Arnold convicted of killing baby
Reds sign versatile reliever Affeldt
The left-handed pitcher might able to compete for a spot in the team's starting rotation.
Sunday, January 20, 2008
The Cincinnati Reds appear to have added a significant piece to their pitching staff, pending a physical, by reeling in free-agent left-hander Jeremy Affeldt.
Affeldt and the Reds have agreed to a one-year, $3 million incentive-laced deal.
Extras
Once considered a starter with the potential to be an ace, the 28-year-old Affeldt was a specialist at retiring left-handed batters last season, making 75 appearances with the Colorado Rockies but for only 59 innings.
He was 4-3 with a 3.51 earned-run average, and he helped Colorado's run to the National League pennant in late September by giving up only one hit and no runs in his last six regular-season outings. And he didn't give up a run in three innings to the Boston Red Sox while the Rockies lost the World Series.
Affeldt began his career in 2002 as a starter for the Kansas City Royals, but he was plagued for two seasons by blisters and fingernail problems on the middle finger of his pitching hand.
After the 2003 season, he had half the nail surgically removed, and in mid-2004 the Royals made him their closer and he recorded 13 saves.
But the Reds signed Francisco Cordero in November to be the closer. And Cincinnati's other significant offseason acquisition was starting pitcher Edinson Volquez, who arrived in the trade that sent outfielder Josh Hamilton to Texas.
There are indications that Affeldt might return to a starting role and has been told he can compete this spring for a spot in the Reds rotation.
If he doesn't succeed, he can be returned to the bullpen behind Cordero and do what he did for the Rockies.
David Weathers is expected to be the setup man, and Affeldt would join a bullpen that already has left-handers Mike Stanton, Bill Bray and Jon Coutlangus.
For his career, Affeldt is 25-27 with a 4.74 ERA in 286 appearances, 42 of them starts.
