As the new center fielder and leadoff hitter for the Cincinnati Reds - he signed a two-year contract Saturday, Dec. 27, - 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 working as 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," Jocketty said. "When the Rockies didn't tender him (offer him a contract), we called his agent and got this done."

About his fallen batting average and on-base percentage, 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 thinks he changed his approach and that we can get him back to where he was in 2007."

Taveras batted .320 over 97 games in 2007 with a .367 onbase average. He had 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. "Jamie knows me and knows my game and he worked a lot with me," Taveras said. "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," Taveras said. "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. I know it is a young team and I believe I can help it."

Contact this reporter at hmccoy @DaytonDailyNews.com.

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The book on Taveras

Outfielder Willy Taveras signed a two-year contract with the Reds. Some Taveras highlights:

* His .907 stolen-base percentage last year (68-for-75) is the best by a major-league player since that statistic has been compiled (since 1920 in the American League, since 1951 in the National League).

* Since 2005, Taveras leads the majors with 207 infield hits and ranks fifth in stolen bases with 168.

* In 2005 he won the The Sporting News' National League Rookie of the Year award and finished second to Philadelphia's Ryan Howard in the BBWAA Rookie of the Year Award voting.

* Despite last year's slump at the plate, his career batting average is .283 in 1,973 at-bats.