The Cincinnati Reds cut 5 more players from their roster over the weekend, getting their total roster count down to 39.

Optioned to Triple-A Louisville were right-handed pitchers Pedro Villarreal and Curtis Partch, infielder Henry Rodriguez and first baseman Neftali Soto. Outfielder/first baseman Donald Lutz was optioned to Double-A Pensacola.

Lutz, Rodriguez, and Soto all impressed manager Dusty Baker during the spring and leave knowing they have things to work on in their progress to the majors. There’s a good chance these players will make appearances with the club during the season.

Just 14 cuts to go!

The Cincinnati Reds made their first cut of spring training yesterday, removing 12 players from their roster.

Left-hander Tony Cingrani and right-hander Daniel Corcino were optioned to Triple-A Louisville. Right-handers Kyle Lotzkar and Josh Ravin were optioned to Double-A Pensacola. Right-hander Carlos Contreras and outfielder Yorman Rodriguez were optioned to Single-A Bakersfield. Left-hander Ismael Guillon was optioned to Single-A Dayton.

Right-handers Chad Rogers and Nick Christiani, catcher Nevin Ashley, infielder Kristopher Negron and outfielder Ryan LaMarre were re-assigned to the minor league camp.

None of these cuts are a surprise, as none of them had a chance to make the major league roster. However, I am a little surprised that Cingrani was was at this time. He and Corcino are likely to see time in the majors this year should the rotation not repeat last year’s iron man challenge of every starter remaining healthy.

The roster stands at 44, with 19 more players to be cut by opening day.

The Cincinnati Reds and Homer Bailey have avoided arbitration. The two have reached agreement on a one-year contract. The amount isn’t available yet, but Bailey asked for $5.8 million, while the Reds offered $4.75 million. It’s likely somewhere between there.

Reds general manager Walt Jocketty said it was toughest year he’s ever had as far as arbitration.

“Absolutely,” he said. “With the numbers of cases and quality of players. We came very close to going to the hearing with (Mat) Latos. We’re all very happy to have it behind us.”

That ends the Reds dealings with arbitration for the year. They managed to sign all of their players before a hearing was required. That’s good, because no employee responds well to hearing their employer tell people how much they suck.

Even though Bailey’s deal was for one year, the Reds will be pursuing a multi-year contract at some point in the future.

The Cincinnati Reds announced today that they had avoided arbitration with starting pitcher Mat Latos by signing him to a two-year $11.5 million deal.

Latos will receive salaries of $4.25 million this year and $7.25 million in 2014 under Tuesday’s deal.

The deal buys out all but one of Latos’ arbitration-eligible years. He is now due to face arbitration once more before the 2015 season, the final one before he hits free agency.

I’m excited about the deal. It follows the signing of Shin-Soo Choo yesterday and leaves only Homer Bailey in need of a contract. We’ll see if the Reds can get a multi-year deal for Bailey, too.

The Cincinnati Reds signed a one-year contract with starting pitcher Mike Leake, avoiding arbitration.

Leake was in his first year of eligibility for arbitration and had filed for a salary of $3,500,000. The Reds had offered $2,650,000. In the end, the two settled at $3.06 million.

It’s quite a raise from the $507,500 he made last year.

The Reds now have three arbitration-eligible players left: Homer Bailey, Shin Soo Choo, and Mat Latos.

The gaps are fairly significant with unsigned players:

Bailey: Filed for $5,800,000. Club countered at $4,750,000
Latos Filed for $4,700,000. Club countered at $4,150,000
Choo: Filed for $8 million. Club countered at $6,750,000

Considering the team hasn’t gone to a hearing since their 2002 beat-down of Chris Reitsma, I imagine that both Bailey and Latos will sign at least a one-year deal. I’m hoping a multi-year deal can be worked out with both of them.

As for Choo, the odds seem high that the Reds will go to a hearing with him. Considering he’s not likely in the team’s long-term plans after he hits free agency next season, there’s little reason not to get as low of a price this year as possible.