A lot of information pouring from Redsfest this weekend, which set a new attendance record with 23,737 fans attending to the two day event. The Friday night crowd was especially heavier as 11,000 fans attended Friday night compared to just 3,000 last year.
Jocketty admits to looking to add a top of the rotation starter this offseason, stating that the team is looking at six different options, but not naming names. John Fay of the Enquirer speculates that the names could include Jamie Shields, Gio Gonzalez, Jair Jurrjens.
Bronson Arroyo realizes that he needs to increase velocity on his fastball.
“All I’m looking for is more velocity,” Arroyo said. “They can say all they want that velocity doesn’t mean anything. But there’s a world of difference between 86 and 91. I’m not going to lose the ability to get people out and the feel for my breaking ball. I’m trying to get my body strong and get that velocity back.”
Dusty Baker wants to have the closer role handed to one person, not use a committee approach.
“We’re going to look in-house. We’re going to look at trades or free agents and try to come up with a guy, a main guy,” Baker said. “The one thing we don’t want to do is have a closer by committee.”
Yonder Alonso has been working out hard in the offseason with an eye towards the leftfield job.
“I’ve been working really hard,” said Alonso, who hired a workout trainer and a chef to cook healthy meals. “Ever since I went home, I started doing my thing. So far, it’s been working out. I start on Monday with my outfield stuff. I started my hitting last week. It’s going to be fun.”
Zack Cozart appears to be the starting shortstop next year, and he has resumed baseball activities recently. The team is trying to sign a veteran presence to back him up.
Jocketty revealed the Reds are looking around for a veteran shortstop/infielder to back up rookie Zack Cozart. The club was high on free agent Ramon Santiago, who re-signed with the Tigers recently.
“Those are the types of guys we are looking for,” Jocketty said.
While Ramon Hernandez signed with the Rockies, Devin Mesoraco is remaining humble as to his 2012 role.
“Hanigan’s proven what he can do and I haven’t really done anything yet,” Mesoraco said Friday at Redsfest. “I can’t imagine I’m just going to jump to the top. I’ve got to prove myself before I get any starts.”