Wilson Inks 2-year deal

[Kirkendall]

Also Valetine was re-signed.

CINCINNATI -- RHP Paul Wilson has agreed to terms on a two-year contract with a club option for 2007, Cincinnati Reds general manager Dan O'Brien announced today.

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Wilson, 31, last season for the Reds went 11-6 with a 4.36 ERA and 1 complete game in 29 starts and led the staff in starts, quality starts (16), innings pitched (183.2) and victories. He finished the season 2-0 with a 1.74 ERA in his last 4 starts. His 11 victories were a career high.

In his first two seasons in Cincinnati, Wilson went 19-16 with a 4.50 ERA in 57 appearances, all starts, and in that span led the Reds' staff in victories, starts, quality starts (33), innings pitched (350.1) and strikeouts (210). He is 10-8 with a 3.37 ERA in 31 starts at Great American Ball Park.

Wilson, who was eligible for free agency, averaged 29 starts and 181.1 innings pitched over the last three seasons.

 

CINCINNATI -- Many things remain in question for the 2005 Reds, but the catching situation appears set.

The Reds announced on Tuesday that they have reached a one-year deal with backup catcher Javier Valentin, thus avoiding arbitration. Terms of the contract were not immediately disclosed by the club, but reports say the deal is worth $450,000.

"We thought that he did a nice job for us as a second catcher last season," said Reds general manager Dan O'Brien. "The feeling from the coaching staff was that we preferred to have him return in the same role next year and the opportunity to work out a deal at this point seemed beneficial to all those involved."

The announcement comes on the heels of the re-signing of starting catcher Jason LaRue, who avoided arbitration by signing a one-year contract with Reds on Nov. 13.

Valentin, the younger brother of Chicago White Sox shortstop Jose Valentin, has a .229 lifetime batting average with 17 home runs and 81 RBIs during parts of six seasons with the Twins, Devil Rays and Reds. Last year, his first in Cincinnati, Valentin hit .233 with six home runs and 20 RBIs in 82 games.

While LaRue and Valentin give the Reds a pair of solid and experienced backstops, there will be one more man in the mix.

Dane Sardinha, an International League All-Star who hit .262 with nine home runs and 40 RBIs in 89 games with Triple-A Louisville last season, was added to the 40-man roster last Friday and will be given a legitimate shot to make the club this Spring.

"[sardinha starting at Triple-A] might be the projection, but Spring Training is all about competition and he will be given an opportunity to make the ballclub," said O'Brien. "It is conceivable that because of [Valentin's] versatility, and his ability to play first base, that we would consider carrying three catchers, but that job would have to be won over the course of the spring."

[skyline]

Well...I guess this is a good thing. I have a hard time getting excited about Paul Wilson, but hey...he performed last year. Here's hoping he can do it again.

[jamesbrooks21]

Yes! We re-signed our ace Paul Wilson, now maybe we can keep the losses under 90 again.

[bengalsfan33]

He got way too much money, so he better go out there and get 15-20 wins to show me that he rally deserves that 7-8 million...

[semiotter]

WOW The REDS spent that much money on a player WOW!!!! or like GOMER PYLE would say SHAZZAM!!!