The Reds plugged one of their holes by acquiring catcher Ramon Hernandez from the Baltimore Orioles.
Cincinnati sent infielder/outfielder Ryan Freel and two minor league prospects to Baltimore, and the deal hinged on the Orioles picking up a portion of the $9 million remaining on Hernandez's contract. Because the Reds are to receive $1 million from the Orioles, the deal had to be approved by the commissioner's office, which it was.
In addition to Freel, the Orioles get infielders Brandon Waring and Justin Turner. Waring, a third baseman, hit .270 with 20 homers and 71 RBIs last season for low Class A Dayton. Turner, a second baseman, played for high Class A Sarasota and Class AA Chattanooga last season, batting a combined .298 with eight homers and 53 RBIs.
Hernandez will make $8 million in 2009, and there is a club option for $8.5 million in 2010, with a $1 million buyout.
Freel will make $4 million this year, so with the $1 million in cash and Hernandez's $9 million, the Reds invested $4 million.
Hernandez, 32, hit .257 with 15 homers and 65 RBIs last season. He is a native and resident of Venezuela, originally signed as a non-drafted free agent by the Oakland A's in 1994.
