--RHP David Weathers, 39, made $3.3 million last year for the Reds before becoming a free agent. He subsequently accepted the team's arbitration offer, and the sides recently exchanged salary figures. The Reds are offering only $3 million, while he is requesting $4.6 million.
--3B Edwin Encarnacion exchanged salary figures with the Reds before his potential arbitration hearing. He is asking for $3.7 million, and the club is offering $2.55 million. Encarnacion made $450,000 last year. --LHP Adam Pettyjohn started the last game of last season, the only left-hander to start a game for the Reds last year. The starting staff in 2009 figures to be entirely right-handed with Bronson Arroyo, Aaron Harang, Edinson Volquez and Johnny Cueto joined by Micah Owings or Homer Bailey.
--C Ryan Hanigan was named the International League's best defensive catcher while with Class AAA Louisville last year before his late-season call-up. Now he will have to compete for a starting job with newly acquired C Ramon Hernandez.
--LF Chris Dickerson, a 27-year-old rookie when he was called up in August, finished the year hitting .304 with six homers, 15 RBIs and five stolen bases in 102 at-bats, but finished the year with an ankle injury that required surgery. He will be in the mix to win the left field position for 2009.
BY THE NUMBERS: 46 -- Strikeouts last year with Tampa Bay against only 15 walks in 177 at-bats for newly acquired OF Jonny Gomes.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "I had other deals for more money with other teams, but this is the best fit." -- OF Jonny Gomes, after signing a non-guaranteed one-year, $600,000 deal with the Reds.
