The Reds have traded for a pitcher:

The Reds traded for RHP Kirk Saarloos and a player to be named later from Oakland for RHP David Shafer and a player to be named later. The team also signed IF Mark Bellhorn to a minor league contract.

Crack Technical Staff likes the idea, thanks to the fact that Saarloos is from Oakland, which you have to admit, is an organization that knows a thing or two about pitching. By that same reasoning, though, you could argue that if they were willing to give him up for Shafer, that's something to be suspicious of.

I like the deal just because of Saarloos's name. Now that Schoeneweis is gone, typing all these names just seemed a little too easy.

As BubbaFan already adeptly pointed out, Ray Olmedo has been picked up off waivers by the Toronto Blue Jays after being DFA'd to make room for Jeff Keppinger.

Bah.

Little Ray Ray, a speedy little guy, who has repeatedly shown great flexibility (remember when they had him taking fly balls in the outfield in 2005?) and more than adequacy as a backup (certainly better than some of the jokes they've trotted out there as starters), will hopefully get his chance in Toronto. It's fitting, since that's the organization where Ryan Freel festered in the minors for so long before finally getting his chance with the Reds.

The Reds signed Kyle Lohse to a one-year, $4.2 million deal today to avoid arbitration.

Meanwhile, the one remaining unsigned arbitration-eligible player, Aaron Harang, traded numbers with the team today. According to Trent, he asked for $5.5 million, and the Reds offered $4.25 million, a scant $50,000 more than they just signed Lohse for.

Aaron, my dear, you are way too nice.

Trent sez:

Today the Reds signed David Ross to a two-year deal plus a club option for 2009, avoiding arbitration with the catcher.
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According to the AP, Ross gets $1.6 million this year and $2,525,000 in 2008. The Reds have a $3.5 million option for 2009 with a $375,000 buyout. He made $500,000 last season.

Ross had a heck of a year last year, and I'm surprised that he didn't convince the Reds to give him even more.

In other signing news, the Reds also signed Paul Wilson to a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training. No word yet on whether he's cut his hair for the occasion.

Trent sez:

The Reds acquired IF Jeff Keppinger from the Royals for RHP Russ Haltiwanger, and designated for assignment Ray Olemdo.

Keppinger was traded to the Royals last season from the Mets. HE hit .300 in 87 games for Class AAA Norfolk and .354 in 22 games for Omaha. He hit .267 with 2 HR and 8 RBI in 22 games for the Royals last season. Haltiwanger, 22, appeared in 40 games, starting five and had a 0-4 record with 4.15 ERA and a save.

If Olmedo doesn't clear waivers and end up back in the organization, I'll miss the little fella.