The Reds only have two free agents of their own going into this winter and they are Kip Wells and Ramon Hernandez. The Reds would likely bring back Wells if he worked on the cheap. But, Hernandez will be a tougher guy to sign as he has a option worth quite a bit of cash. The Reds would likely try to buy him out and sign him to a cheaper deal. There is only one problem with that as he is probably the best catcher on the free agent market. If Hernandez’ option isn’t picked up and he bolts out of Cincinnati getting a new starting catcher will be very important to the Reds. Bengie Molina would probably be the best fit of the available catchers because the Reds need help on offense. Rod Barajas, Jason Kendall, Miguel Olivo, Ivan Rodriguez, Brian Schneider, Yorvit Torrealba and Jason Varitek (if he opts out of his contract with the Red Sox) are the other catchers the Reds will likely consider signing. The other glaring hole on the team is at shortstop. Offensively Miguel Tejada is the best of the available shortstops in free agency and he would be a good fit in Cincinnati. If the Reds lose out on Tejada look for them to target Marco Scutaro and Orlando Cabrera. The Reds will also likely consider Adam Everett, Alex Gonzalez (if Boston lets him go) or Jack Wilson (if the Mariners let him go). The Reds should be able to get a quality catcher and shortstop in free agency which whould make them a much better team in 2010.

The Reds have to decide on whether or not to bring back 33-year old righty swinging catcher Ramon Hernandez. His option for the 2010 season is worth $8.5 million bucks with a $1 million dollar buyout. With Ryan Hanigan looking like a backup catcher only the Reds have to decide whether to ante up for Hernandez or to look for cheaper alternatives like Rod Barajas, Jason Kendall, Bengie Molina or Ivan Rodriguez. When healthy Hernandez is as good as any of those players but that has been a problem for him lately. He only played in 81 games for the Reds last season and he was 74 for 287 (.258 avg, .695 OPS) with 25 runs scored, 5 homers and 37 RBIs. Hernandez has now played in 1,269 games in his major league career and he is 1,118 for 4,262 (.262 avg, .744 OPS) with 502 runs scored, 142 homers and 639 RBIs. If the Reds can’t sign Bengie Molina then they should pick up Hernandez’ option and say some prayers for his health.

UPDATE: The Reds have re-signed Ramon Hernandez to a 1-year, $3 million dollar deal. The Reds hold an option worth $3.25 million bucks on the 2011 season if Hernandez plays in 120 or more games for the Reds in 2010. This was a good move for the Reds as Hernandez appears to have given them somewhat of a discount.