The Reds have claimed 30-year old righty reliever/starter Alfredo Simon off waivers from the Orioles. He pitched in 23 games (16 starts) for the Orioles last year and he was 4-9 with a 4.90 ERA and a 1.45 WHIP. Simon has now pitched in 78 games (19 starts) in his first four years in the majors and he is 8-12 with 17 saves, a 5.18 ERA and a 1.48 WHIP. The Reds are going to use Simon out of the bullpen in 2012. I like this move as Simon has a live arm.

The Reds have dealt 24-year old lefty swinging 3B Juan Francisco to the Braves for 24-year old starter/reliever J.J. Hoover. Francisco played in 31 games for the Reds last year and he was 24 of 93 (.258 avg, .740 OPS) with 10 runs scored, 3 homers, 15 RBIs and 1 stolen base. He played in 81 games in his three years with the Reds and he was 48 of 169 (.284 avg, .781 OPS) with 17 runs scored, 5 homers, 29 RBIs and 1 stolen base. The Reds must feel confident that Todd Frazier is ready for prime time by making this deal, as starting 3B Scott Rolen is bound to get injured at some point in 2012. J.J. Hoover is a pretty solid prospect as he ranked as the Braves’ #12 prospect heading into this season according to Baseball America. Hoover pitched in 43 games (14 starts) in AA+AAA-ball for the Braves last year and he was 3-6 with 2 saves, a 2.64 ERA and a 1.11 WHIP. He only gave up 77 hits in 105 2/3 innings pitched last year, while whiffing 117 batters and that’s pretty darn impressive. Hoover has now pitched in 99 games (61 starts) in his first four years in the minors and he is 25-19 with 3 saves, a 3.14 ERA and a 1.20 WHIP. Hoover could make it to Cincinnati to pitch for the Reds at some point in 2012.

The Cincinnati Reds have signed 26-year old Kanekoa Texeira to a minor league deal. Texeira pitched in 6 games (0 starts) for the Royals last year and he was 0-0 with a 2.84 ERA and a 2.53 WHIP. He has now pitched in 49 games (0 starts) in his first two years in the majors and he is 1-1 with a 4.66 ERA and a 1.69 WHIP. Texeira is a pitcher a few teams have liked so far in his career, so he might make the Reds’ pen with a good spring.

The Reds have signed 38-year old righty reliever/starter Brett Tomko to a minor league deal. Tomko pitched in 8 games (0 starts) for the Rangers last year and he was 0-1 with a 4.58 ERA and a 1.42 WHIP. He also pitched in 21 games (18 starts) in AAA-ball last year and he was 9-6 with a 6.15 ERA and a 1.59 WHIP. Tomko has now pitched in 397 games (266 starts) in his major league career and he is 100-103 with 2 saves, a 4.65 ERA and a 1.37 WHIP. Tomko will be a longshot to win a spot on the Reds’ pitching staff this spring.

The Reds have designated 28-year old righty reliever Carlos Fisher for assignment. Fisher pitched in 17 games (0 starts) for the Reds last year and he was 0-3 with a 4.50 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP. He pitched in 74 games (0 starts) in his first three years with the Reds and he is 2-5 with a 4.74 ERA and a 1.54 WHIP. The Reds are going to try to deal Fisher as it’s unlikely that he will clear waivers.

UPDATE: (2/15/2012) - Carlos Fisher has cleared waivers and he has been outrighted to AAA. He will try to win a job in the Reds’ bullpen this spring.