Some former Cincinnati Reds made the transaction news today, one of them more thankfully former than the rest.

First off, the replaceable Willy Taveras should give his agent a raise. Taveras signed with the Colorado Rockies today. Sure it’s only for a minor league deal, but Taveras has not been productive in the majors for a long time, despite his young age of 29. This marks Taveras’ fifth organization since being a blocker on the Reds in 2009, including the Philadelphia Phillies, Texas Rangers, Atlanta Braves, and the Washington Nationals.

Next up, Micah Owings, a player the Reds never figured out exactly what to do with, returned to the Arizona Diamondbacks. Owings signed a minor league deal with the Diamondbacks and received an invite to Spring Training. Arizona plans to use him as a pitcher and as a power bat off the bench. I still can’t help but feel that Owings would be better off focusing on hitting. He has so much power.

Lastly, the one and only Todd Coffey sprinted from somewhere to the nation’s capital to sign with the Washington Nationals. Coffey’s deal with the Nationals is the only one of the bunch that’s a major league deal. Coffey will apparently get a chance to compete for the closer’s role. I wish the big guy the best of luck. As goofy as his sprint was, seeing it always brought a smile to my face.

Todd Todd Coffey (as it’s listed on Reds.com) was born in Shelby, North Carolina on September 9, 1980. He graduated from Chase High School in Forest City, North Carolina.

He used to have a bit of a weight problem, but he’d slimmed down considerably, much to the benefit of his game. Nevertheless, he still professes to be a fan of the banana and mayonnaise sandwhich and has an abiding love of Jell-o.

He’s also a Trekkie. What’s not to like about this guy?

According to his bio on Reds.com, Coffey participated in the 2006 Reds Winter Caravan. He was not at the Indianapolis stop unfortunately, but I did get to chat him up during spring training.

Todd Coffey is the Reds’ closer. Not that he gets a chance to ply that trade very often.

Coffey’s a hard-throwing righty. He intimidates hitters with his fastball and his red, red goatee. When called out of the bullpen, he sprints to the mound from the back of the outfield, which he says gets him pumped up and ready for action. Hey, whatever works.

Here’s some stuff stole from his bio on Reds.com till I have a chance to come back and fill this thing out properly:

• In his Major League debut made 57 apps during 2 stints with the Reds
• posted an 11.25era in 3 apps for Cin from 4/19-4/25 and a 4.00era in 54 apps during his second stint beginning 5/9 through the end of the season
• in his last 3 apps of the season allowed 4er in 0.2 innings, raising ERA from a season-low 3.92 to season ending 4.50
• in his 24 apps prior to that season-ending 3-game stretch had posted a 1.21era (22.1ip, 3er) and in 22 of those 24 apps did not allow an earned run
• his career-high 13.2-inning scoreless streak from 5/16-6/24 consisted of 12 consecutive scoreless apps
• began the season at Class AAA Louisville and made 5 relief apps there before he was recalled on 4/18, when Ramon Ortiz went on the disabled list
• returned to Louisville on 5/1, when Ortiz came off the DL
• on 5/9 was recalled again and spent the rest of the season with the Reds
• made his Major League debut in the 7-1 loss on 4/19 vs Chi (2ip, 2h, 2r, 2er, 1hbp, Barrett solo HR)
• on 4/23 at Fla recorded his first career strikeout (Dontrelle Willis)
• earned his first Major League victory on 5/10 vs SD (5-1 win)
• began his career 4-0 before losing a 12-9 decision at Mil on 9/26
• that 4-game winning streak was second-longest by any National League rookie pitcher
• in the 7-2 victory on 8/28 at Pit threw 2.0 scoreless innings for his first Major League save
• on 6/25 at Cle took a Jhonny Peralta line drive off his left calf, missed only 2g.