RedsFest was this weekend, and there were lines, autographs, entertainment, lines, some hints of news, and more lines. Redleg Nation has a nice recap of the nuggets that pertain to the future of the team.

Among them, Bronson Arroyo has been working hard to regain velocity, and Yonder Alonso has been working hard to become a better left fielder. And Zach Cozart has reached the point in recovery from Tommy John surgery that he can resume baseball activities.

But one of the most interesting pieces of news came from Cincinnati Enquirer Reds beat writer John Fay in his post of leftovers from RedsFest.

I got the impression that the Reds hold little hope of re-signing Francisco Cordero. The way the closer market has settled, the Reds might be able to get Cordero back at one-year deal in the $7 million range.

Given the Reds’ cash-strapped ways, even that price seems pretty steep, especially considering he converted just 86% of his save opportunities. Fay does suggest an in-house solution.

Another possible candidate? Edinson Volquez. He’s long shot for the rotation at this point. He’s throws 97 and has a great change-up. That could work in the ninth inning.

That’s…a really good idea. Volquez has shown over the course of his Reds’ tenure that he’s not really starting pitcher material. Sure, there was that Cy Young contending first year, but he’s never had consistent control since then. So why not try him in the 9th inning? As Fay states, he has the pitches to do it.

I know Volquez was horrible in his first inning of work almost every start in 2011, but I don’t think that necessarily means anything. It’s something that’s worth a shot, and I hope the Reds try it out in Spring Training.

I’ve been hard on Cincinnati Reds’ General Manager Walt Jocketty for his lack of doing anything other than sitting on his thumbs during the 2011 season. Perhaps the best example of this was how he did nothing with soon-to-leave catcher Ramon Hernandez before the trade deadline.

Everyone knew Devin Mesoraco was the catcher of the future, and Ryan Hanigan would be a more-than-capable backup. This left Hernandez, a free agent at the end of the year, the odd man out. So of course, Jocketty twiddled his thumbs and let the deadline pass, apparently happy with the Reds’ mediocre march to 3rd place.

Well, Hernandez, as expected, is no longer a Red. He signed a two-year deal with the Colorado Rockies today. I wish him well. He did better than I ever expected him to when the Reds traded Ryan Freel for him 3 years ago.

Jocketty’s failure wasn’t a complete loss. Thanks to the new collective bargaining agreement, the loss of Hernandez will get the Reds a supplemental first round draft pick in the 2012 draft. And once that player’s ready for the majors in 3-4 years, I’m sure he’ll come in very handy for the stretch run of 2011.

The fresh-faced hope and naivete of the 2012 season officially kicks off tomorrow as Redsfest rolls into the Cincinnati Duke Energy Convention Center. Honestly, this event is so great that it outshines the season itself. At least in August.

Hopefully you can make it in person, because it really is a good time, but if you can’t, we’ll be posting all manner of cell phone photos here on RHM. Here’s a press release about the whole thing.

FOX Sports Ohio Ready for Redsfest

Tickets are available now for the Cincinnati Reds fan festival to be held Dec. 2-3 at Duke Energy Convention Center

CINCINNATI, OHIO – FOX Sports Ohio is proud to be the title sponsor of this year’s Redsfest, the Cincinnati Reds’ an offseason event featuring fan interaction with current and former Reds players, interactive games for kids of all ages, hard-to-find memorabilia and much more! It will be held at the Duke Energy Convention Center in downtown Cincinnati on this Friday, December 2 from 4pm to 10:30pm and Saturday, December 3 from 11am to 6:30pm. Proceeds from the event benefit the Reds Community Fund.

As the TV home of the Cincinnati Reds and title sponsor of Redsfest, FOX Sports Ohio will have a tent at the event, offering fans the opportunity to play games, win prizes, and participate in a variety of activities. All fans who visit the FOX Sports Ohio tent will have the chance to register to win an autographed Jay Bruce mini helmet.

On Friday, FOX Sports Ohio will be shooting footage of the event, and fans will have the chance to share their favorite Reds memories on camera for possible on-air inclusion next season. On Saturday, Reds broadcasters Jim Day and Jeff Piecoro will stop by the tent throughout the event to sign autographs.

In addition to FOX Sports Ohio’s presence, the Cincinnati Reds have many other activities at Redsfest. Fans will have access to autograph and photo booths featuring current and former Reds players, interactive games, hard-to-find memorabilia and more. More than 70 current and former Reds players, coaches and broadcasters are scheduled to appear, and over 100 player autograph sessions and player photograph sessions are free of charge with a Redsfest general admission ticket. All current and former players in attendance will be introduced live on the main stage on Dec. 3 at 5:30pm.

With paid admission, all fans will receive a free View Level ticket for any Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday Reds home game in April 2012, subject to availability. Also, the first 10,000 fans each day will receive a free drawstring backpack and Reds knit gloves.

Tickets are on sale now at reds.com, by phone at (513) 381- REDS, at the Great American Ball Park box office and at Ticketmaster Outlets including select Kroger stores. Tickets will be available at the door starting Friday at 2pm and Saturday at 9am. Proceeds from Redsfest benefit the baseball-themed outreach programs of the Reds Community Fund.

For more detailed information about the two-day event, visit www.reds.com/redsfest.

Former Reds’ first baseman Sean Casey will be among the next three players inducted into the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame.

No word on whether or not Casey will be driving his 1995 Honda Accord to the ceremony next June.

Take it away, press release.

Three-time All-Star Sean Casey, Big Red Machine infielder Dan Driessen and 19th century first baseman John Reilly will be the next three players inducted into the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame.

Casey was selected by the fans through the Modern Player Ballot presented by Cincyfavorites.com. The Veterans Committee selected Driessen and Reilly to make up the Reds Hall of Fame Class of 2012.

The trio will be honored June 22-24 during Reds Hall of Fame Induction Weekend, which will include on-field ceremonies at Great American Ball Park, the star-studded Hall of Fame Induction Gala and a variety of festivities at the Hall, including meet and greets with Reds Hall of Famers and alumni.

One of the most popular players to ever wear a Reds uniform, Casey came to be known as “The Mayor” during his eight-year Reds career.

A versatile infielder of the Big Red Machine clubs of the 1970s, Dreissen played 12 seasons for the Reds from 1973 to 1984.

A Cincinnati-native and dominant first baseman in the 1880’s, Reilly wore a Reds uniform for his nine-season Major League career and held Reds records for most singles, double, triples, home runs, runs scored, RBI and games played.

Casey was the top vote-getter of the thousands of ballots cast online at RedsMuseum.org, at Great American Ball Park and at participating Skyline Chili and Montgomery Inn locations.

Driessen and Reilly were selected by the Reds Hall of Fame’s Veterans Committee, comprised of members of the media, Hall of Famers, historians and Hall of Fame executives.

“Since 1958, the fans have played an integral part in the Hall of Fame election process, and this year was no exception as record participation resulted,” said Reds Hall of Fame Executive Director Rick Walls. “I’d like to thank Cincyfavorites.com, the thousands of fans that voted, and the Veterans Committee for recognizing the contributions of these players.”

The addition of Casey, Driessen and Reilly will bring the Hall’s membership ranks to 75 players, three managers, and three executives.

Earlier this week, MLB announced the winner of the National League’s Most Valuable Player award. We all knew that Joey Votto would not be repeating for the Cincinnati Reds, thanks to their craptastic year. But we all wondered where he would place and how many votes he’d get.

As expected, the Milwaukee Brewers’ Ryan Braun won the award. And Votto placed sixth.

1. Ryan Braun, Milwaukee -388
2. Matt Kemp, L.A. Dodgers -332
3. Prince Fielder, Milwaukee -229
4. Justin Upton, Arizona1-214
5. Albert Pujols, St. Louis–166
6. Joey Votto, Cincinnati–135
7. Lance Berkman, St. Louis–118
8. Troy Tulowitzki, Colorado—69
9. Roy Halladay, Philadelphia–52
10. Ryan Howard, Philadelphia—39
11. Jose Reyes, N.Y. Mets—31
12. Clayton Kershaw, L.A. Dodgers–29
13. Shane Victorino, Philadelphia—18
14. Ian Kennedy, Arizona—16
15. Cliff Lee, Philadelphia—12
16. Hunter Pence, Houston-Phi.—10
17. Pablo Sandoval, San Francisco—7
18. John Axford, Milwaukee—7
19. Michael Morse, Washington—5
20. Carlos Beltran, N.Y. Mets-S.F.—3
21. Miguel Montero, Arizona—2
22. Yadier Molina, St. Louis—2
23. Starlin Castro, Chicago—1
24. Craig Kimbrel, Atlanta—1
25. Carlos Ruiz, Philadelphia—1
26. Mike Stanton, Florida—1

Votto was on a majority of the ballots, and I might quibble with him finishing lower than Prince Fielder–who is grossly overrated, in my opinion–but it’s still nice to see him getting some love. He’s very, very good, and I’m going to enjoy his time as a Red as long as it lasts. In fact, I’m sure I’ll be wearing my Votto jersey this weekend at RedsFest.