The Cincinnati Reds and 700 WLW have renewed their broadcast rights agreement. Perhaps more importantly, the Cincinnati Enquirer has discovered that more Spring Training games will be broadcast, too.

All but four split-squad games will be broadcast from Arizona on WLW-AM (700), Fox Sports WSAI-AM (1360) or streamed at Reds.com as part of the team’s new radio rights extension with Clear Channel Cincinnati.

Flagship WLW-AM will air 16 games, including the opening weekend Feb. 22-24. WSAI-AM will carry 11 weekday games starting Feb. 26. The first of seven games streamed online will be Monday, Feb. 25.

That’s great news. There was one year where Steve Stewart broadcast online all of the Spring Training games not covered by 700 WLW, and it made for very enjoyable workdays. I’m glad to see that level of coverage returning.

As for the agreement between the Reds and the radio station, that is outlined in the press release below.

CINCINNATI (Feb. 5, 2013) – The Cincinnati Reds and 700 WLW announced today the renewal of the radio rights agreement to broadcast all regular and postseason games through 2017.

As part of the agreement, 700 WLW’s game coverage will serve as the flagship for the Reds Radio Network, one of the largest in sports with 93 affiliates in nine states.

“The Reds and WLW have been linked together for almost 90 years and our fans are very passionate about both,” said Bob Castellini, Reds President and CEO. “We’re excited about continuing one of the best broadcast partnerships in all of sports.”

“We take great pride in delivering Cincinnati Reds programming to Reds Country on 700 WLW,” said Chuck Fredrick, Market President, Clear Channel Media and Entertainment Cincinnati. “We are thrilled to extend our highly successful relationship with the Reds and continue providing great coverage for Reds fans.”

WLW first went on the air in 1922 under the direction of future Reds owner Powel Crosley, Jr. and aired the first broadcast of a Reds game in 1924. Since 1969, WLW has served as the Reds’ flagship station.

“There’s been no greater marriage than Reds radio and WLW radio,” said Hall of Fame Broadcaster Marty Brennaman. “And it’s great for our fans to know that this relationship will continue.”

The 2013 season will mark Brennaman’s 40th year of broadcasting the Reds on WLW and he is one of three Reds radio broadcasters to receive the Hall of Fame’s Ford C. Fricke Award, joined by Red Barber and Russ Hodges.

Earlier this week when walking back to my house following a run in the unseasonably warm weather, I stopped by my lilac bush. It has buds on it. And my thoughts turned to baseball.

Today is the last day of January, and Spring Training will begin soon. Even now, the Reds are sprouting with activity.

The Reds’ equipment truck headed to Goodyear, AZ leaves Great American Ball Park on Monday (Feb. 4).

That’s right, next Monday, baseball equipment will be headed to Goodyear, followed quickly by the coaching staff and the most glorious words to be heard during the long winter: “Pitchers and catchers report.”

Here’s the Reds schedule starting in February and through the first game of the 2013 season.

• February 4: Reds’ equipment truck leaves Cincinnati.
• February 11: Dusty Baker and staff arrive in Goodyear.
• February 12: Pitchers and catchers report.
• February 15: Position players report.
• February 22: First Spring Training game against the Cleveland Indians.
• April 1: Opening Day against the Angels in Cincinnati.

Three weeks until baseball will be played. Two months until the Reds get a chance to defend their division title.

I don’t really want to be a shill for the team, but having gone to spring training in Arizona myself a couple times, I know that now, with just 2 months left until spring training games start, is the time to start planning. So, consider this information about buying tickets to be more like a public service announcement and less like advertising that I didn’t get paid for. Not that I wouldn’t accept it if they offered now. Cash is fine.

The first spring training game is in just over two months on February 22. The Reds will be taking on their roommates in Goodyear, the Cleveland Indians. That will give all our recent Cleveland acquisitions a chance to show off their new, stylish Los Rojos jerseys to all their friends. You can go see the complete schedule on the Reds.com official site. You can go see the Los Rojos jerseys on John Fay’s blog on Cincinnati.com.

Of course, spring training continues for, like, a month after that. Assuming that you’re not able to just take off for the desert for the whole 5 weeks (which is too bad, because I think 5 weeks is about how long it would take to adjust to the absolute lack of moisture; it’s like that scene at the beginning of Rango, I swear) you’ll have to make the age-old decision of when to head out west. Go early and see rougher baseball with a larger cast of potentials? Or wait until later in March when the field is narrower and you’re seeing the desperate young players laying it all out on the line for that last roster spot?

It looks like the Reds have set up some spring training travel packages, regardless of when you want to go. The first one uses the Homewood Suites in Avondale, which is good, though I personally recommend the Hilton Garden Inn next door. At least, when we stayed there we were hanging with minor leaguers in the pool.

Lost in the exciting news of the contract extension for one Joey Votto was the announcement of the Cincinnati Reds’ opening day roster.

The rotation: Johnny Cueto, Mat Latos, Bronson Arroyo, Mike Leake and Homer Bailey.

The bullpen: Chapman, Sean Marshall, Sam LeCure, Bill Bray, Logan Ondrusek, Jose Arredondo.

The catchers: Devin Mesoraco, Ryan Hanigan.

The infielders: Joey Votto, Brandon Phillips, Zack Cozart, Scott Rolen, Miguel Cairo, Wilson Valdez, Todd Frazier, Willie Harris.

The outfielders: Jay Bruce, Drew Stubbs, Ryan Ludwick, Chris Heisey.

The surprise, I think, is that the team will be starting the season with just 11 pitchers instead of the expected 12. This is due to an early off day, after which the team has said they’ll make another decision.

But there you have it, your 2012 Cincinnati Reds. I look forward to seeing them in person for my first Opening Day on Thursday.

Whoa! This is big, giant, wonderful news that’s come entirely out of nowhere!

Joey Votto and the Reds are close to a long-term contract extension. Votto confirmed a report by mlbtraderumors.com.

“I can’t comment till it’s done,” he said. “You’ll have to ask Walt (Jocketty). It’s a gray area. I’ll be much more forthcoming later.”

So the MLB trade rumor site broke the story, but honest-to-goodness, legitimate journalists and Joey Votto have confirmed that the deal is in the works.

This and Opening Day is on Thursday? It’s shaping up to be an excellent start to the season.