Cincinnati Reds reportedly sign Jack Hannahan – MLB News
Cincinnati Reds kept the cards close to its chest. That was the right game plan. All indications are that the strategy has worked as they will have an upper hand once again on the Opening Day.
On Wednesday, the club was reported to have signed Jack Hannahan to one-year, $2 million contract. Pending physical, the deal is expected to be announced soon. It comes a day after the Reds got Shin-Soo Choo and Jason Donald from Cleveland Indians as part
of a three-team, nine-player trade, that sent centre fielder Drew Stubbs to northeast Ohio.
The Winter Meetings remained unusually quiet for the Reds as they did not make any major transaction. However, just like they had a surprise to offer last year, the club once again came up with a seemingly surprising trade.
Hannahan can prove to be of some assistance to Zack or Joey Votto when necessary in the Cincinnati Reds as he has proved his efficacy both at shortstop and the first base. This past season, Hannahan appeared in a total of 110 games, hitting .244 with four
home runs and 29 RBIs.
Compared to 2011 when he batted .250 with eight home runs, the numbers in 2012 seemed to have dipped. However, herein lies an opportunity that Hannahan can capitalize on.
Remaining non-tendered in the beginning of this month, there were indications that the Cleveland Indians might not re-sign him. Anticipating what lay ahead, Hannahan had to arrive to a decision.
"I had two great years in Cleveland," Hannahan had said a week ago. "I love playing in Cleveland. I love the fans of Cleveland, and I have a lot of respect for [president] Mark Shapiro and Chris Antonetti. I really believe in what they're doing there, as
far as getting a team that can contend and play in October."
If he no longer is with the Indians, Hannahan can be in October games with the Cincinnati Reds which showed their strength this past season, with 97 wins in the regular season, winning the National League Central, and making their way into the National League
Division Series.
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