Cincinnati has added and retained a varied crop of players since the season ended. Among those that have signed minor league contracts with the Reds are RHP Carlos Almanzar, RHP Jon Berry, LHP Lance Davis, RHP Sean DePaula, RHP Shane Heams, RHP Scott MacRae, RHP Luis Pineda, RHP Kyle Stanton, LHP Mark Watson, LHP Jake Whitney, OF-R Emil Brown, 1B-S Felipe Crespo, OF-L Mike Curry, SS-R Kelly Dransfeldt, OF-L Bobby Darula, 2B/OF-R Ryan Freel, C-R Creighton Gubanich, CR-L Chris Haas, OF-L Robin Jennings, MI-R Jason Maxwell, and UT-L Reed Secrist.

Carlos Almanzar was in the Reds' organization last season and likely would have spent more time in the majors if not for fracturing his right ring finger and surgery to remove bone chips from his elbow. The 29-year-old has split the last half-dozen seasons between AAA and the majors, but his skills indicate he's able to handle a more permanent middle relief job.

Jon Berry between the Dodgers' A+ Florida State League team at Vero Beach and Cincinnati's A+ California League affiliate at Stockton. The 25-year-old worked primarily as a starter for LA and a reliever for the Reds. His command improved considerably upon his move to the pen, so I expect him to start 2003 in AA and probably work his way to AAA, though he shouldn't hit the majors until late in the year if at all.

Lance Davis probably would have spent time in the majors in 2002, if he hadn't suffered from shoulder trouble for most of the season. The 26-year-old doesn't have particularly strong skills as a starter and should probably move to relief, but the Reds seem content to continue to develop him as a starter. Consequently provided he's healthy, I expect him to compete for a rotation job in Spring Training, lose out to someone else, and spend the first half of the season in AAA until Cincinnati needs a spot starter or realizes he should move to the pen.

Sean DePaula shows promise as a middle reliever. Last season with AAA Buffalo, the 29-year-old compiled a 53:18 K:BB with 55 H and 6 HR allowed in 57 IP for a 3.95 ERA. He could contribute to the Reds' pen in 2003 and article title aside probably will earn his salary.

The Mariners appear to have drafted Shane Heams out of Parkland Illinois Junior College in the 41st round of the 1994 draft as a position player. However following an abysmal season at the plate in 1995, they converted him to relief work. Unfortunately while 27-year-old excelled for his first few seasons, he hit a wall at AAA and doesn't currently appear to possess any of the skills necessary to relieve in the majors.

Scott MacRae is another middle relief candidate. He doesn't have DePaula's dominance, only compiling a 54:28 K:BB with 74 H and 5 HR allowed in 72.2 IP for a 3.34 ERA, but the 28-year-old might contribute to the pen at some point in 2003.

Luis Pineda was of course with the club last season and spent significant time in the majors. His season ended early due to rotator cuff surgery, so he likely won't be ready to pitch when the Reds break camp. After rehab, the 24-year-old could return to the majors as a spot starter, but Cincinnati should probably move him back to relief work full time.

Kyle Stanton was playing in the independent leagues prior to last season when the Reds purchased his contract. He demonstrated solid skills as a reliever but did not pitch above A+. Consequently, I doubt the 25-year-old will make an appearance in the majors in 2003, though he may advance quickly if he continues to perform strongly.

Mark Watson hasn't shown the skills necessary to pitch even as a lefty reliever at AAA. If the Reds grow short of left-handed relief the 28-year-old could receive a call, though he likely won't pitch well if given the opportunity and should be low on their list of potential promotions.

This year the Reds are rescuing Jake Whitney from the independent leagues. The 26-year-old performed quite well as a starter for St. Paul last season, compiling a 111:26 K:BB with 126 H and 11 HR in 132.2 IP for a 3.12 ERA. I expect Cincinnati to place him at either A+ or AA and then advance him as they would a college draft pick, so he shouldn't reach the major until at least 2004 unless he's moved to relief.

Emil Brown spent last season at Tampa's AAA affiliate. He has moderate power and speed skills, and although his plate discipline has deteriorated from its promising levels of a few seasons ago he's shown the skills in the past. The 28-year-old might receive a call-up as an injury replacement at some point, but there's a waiting list for the Reds' outfield.

Felipe Crespo showed promising power, speed, and plate discipline prior to spending 2000 in the majors. However, the 29-year-old has shown no offensive promise in the last two seasons and isn't particularly flexible defensively. He might be nice trade bait if he finds his footing again at AAA, but he's merely reclamation project at this point.

Mike Curry split the season between the Met and Red organizations. He has shown promising plate discipline and speed, but as he has very little AAA experience I don't expect the 25-year-old to be high on the list of injury replacements for the Reds.

Texas drafted Kelly Dransfeldt out of the University of Michigan in the fourth round of the 1996 draft. The 27-year-old chose to leave the organization as a minor league free agent this off-season, which is unsurprising given the solidity of the current Texas shortstop. However, I don't expect him to receive many more opportunities with Cincinnati. Dransfeldt has demonstrated some power and speed skills but possesses horrible plate discipline.

Bobby Darula signed with the Reds prior to last season and spent most of the season dominating at AA before reaching AAA briefly for the first time. While he struggled during his limited time at AAA, Darula's numbers at AA, where he hit .325 with a .413 OBP and .440 SLG on 105 H, 17 2B, 4 3B, and 4 HR with a 43:27 BB:K and 10/13 SB% in 325 AB, indicate he should easily adjust to the promotion in 2003. Were the Reds' outfield not so deep, I'd expect the 28-year-old to make an impact in the majors in 2004. However since Cincinnati probably won't add him to their 40-man after the season, he should sign with an organization with more outfield opportunities after the year. They may also deal him during the season if he gains sufficient attention to have trade value.

Ryan Freel signed with the Devil Rays as a minor league free agent last season, ostensibly to discard some of the plate discipline he developed with the Blue Jays. He has moderate power and considerable speed potential, though he'll need to regain his plate discipline to fully take advantage of the later skill. I expect the 26-year-old to place highly on the Reds' list of outfield injury replacements.

Creighton Gubanich is your typical no-hit AAAA catcher with a little power when he makes contact. I don't expect the 30-year-old to spend any time in the majors with the Reds in 2003.

Chris Haas doesn't have the bat necessary to earn a reserve role as a corner infielder in the majors. Although he possesses moderate power skills, his plate discipline prevents him from excelling. I don't expect the 26-year-old to crack the majors in 2003.

Robin Jennings will also likely spend all of next season in the minors. As he hasn't displayed promising offensive skills in years, the 30-year-old shouldn't rank highly enough in the organizations' rolls of outfields to even merit a call-up as an injury replacement.

Jason Maxwell played at AAA for the Reds last season. The 30-year-old can hits for a good average, which is supported by his plate discipline, but he has little complimentary speed or power. He could see time as a middle infielder in case of injury, though I doubt we'll see him up with Cincinnati in 2003.

Reed Secrist played first, third, the outfield, and caught last season for Pittsburgh's AAA affiliate at Nashville. The 32-year-old doesn't have the plate discipline skills to support a high average, but he possesses moderate power. Given his flexibility, he might have a chance at a bench role if the Reds run into injuries, although he'll likely remain in AAA for the season.

By comparison the Indians have signed RHP Jason Beverlin and RHP Jason Boyd to minor league deals. However, they've also given RHP Jose Santiago a one-year major league contract.

We've discussed both Jasons in the past. Beverlin spent most of last year in the Indians system, but after a brief stint in the majors, the Tigers claimed him when Cleveland attempted to send the 28-year-old through waivers. He displayed excellent skills at AAA in 2002 and deserves an opportunity to win a rotation spot in Spring Training. Boyd's a solid 29-year-old middle reliever that could contribute to the Indians pen in 2003.

The 28-year-old Santiago has earned a AAAA title, but he possesses skills worthy of a major league deal. His main problem last season was with home runs, however I expect him to perform well for Cleveland.