Hernandez option not picked up
I talked to Reds GM Walt Jocketty Friday afternoon. He was at the airport waiting for a flight to Chicago, where will be attending the GM meetings.
Among the topics:
* Catcher Ramon Hernandez is definitely not having his $8.5 million option picked up and will get the buyout for $1 million. The Reds want Hernandez back, however.
"We're not going to pick up the option," Jocketty said on Friday. "We have been talking with his agent and trying to negotiate a new deal. We're hoping he comes back."
Hernandez would be a Type B free agent on the market, which means the Reds would get a first-round sandwich pick if he's offered arbitration and signs elsewhere.
* When asked about the Brewers trading shortstop J.J. Hardy to the Twins for CF Carlos Gomez, Jocketty said the Reds had interest in Hardy.
"We talked to [the Brewers] several times," Jocketty said. "We didn't match up and they didn't want to trade within our division, which was understandable."
* Jocketty wants to retain catcher Corky Miller and outfielder Darnell McDonald after they were sent outright to Triple-A Louisville. Miller was signed to a 2010 contract with Louisville.
* As for arbitration eligible outfielders Jonny Gomes and Laynce Nix, "we've talked a little bit," Jocketty said.
* In more moves revealed later, infielder Danny Richar was reinstated from the 60-day disabled list, was outrighted off the roster and elected free agency. 1B Kevin Barker was outrighted off the roster and elected free agency; RHP Justin Lehr was signed to a one-year Major League contract through the 2010 season and then was outrighted to Louisville.
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