Cincinnati Reds look to Edgar Renteria to fill the ranks
The Cincinnati Reds were part of the 2010 post-season. Unfortunately, due to a bad string of plays in the series against the Philadelphia Phillies, the side found themselves out of the race for the World Series. However, that doesn’t change one simple fact.
The Reds were defensively quite strong during the 2010 regular league campaign. Despite coming under a lot of criticism in previous seasons, the team bounced back to lay claim to the National League Central Division title last season. Cincinnati are now
looking to maintain that form, and carry it forth into the coming seasons as the squad matures and develops.
Most of the focus has been on strengthen the ranks and the players who will lead the club to ultimate victory in the coming years. The World Series title is one of the most precious prizes in the Major League Baseball (MLB) universe, and even though the
club wasn’t able to secure the honours last year, one man in particular was.
Edgar Renteria was a fabled star who made history by clinching the World Series Most Valuable Player (MVP) accolade last season. The shortstop, now considered a veteran by his former employers, San Francisco Giants is spending most of his time in the free
agency. The 35-year-old was given just 72 games to compete in. The Venezuelan was able to make a mark in the season as he piled up 22 Runs Batted In (RBI), three home runs and a batting average of .276.
The Reds are now making a startling bid for the player in what seems to be the last effort intended at securing the club. Reds General Manager Walt Jocketty has already signed back most of the active players from last season, and the move for Edgar seems
to set a new precedent in the team’s outlook towards the future. Jocketty said, "We probably won't get anything agreed until next week. We really can't comment on anything until he (Edgar) gets a physical."
The proposed deal will see the shortstop earn $3 million in a one-year deal, if he is able to capitalise on incentives during the 2011 season. Nevertheless, the offer does put the San Francisco Giants at a disadvantage since their $1 million offer has been
thwarted.
Renteria told reporters, "I feel happy for the opportunity to keep playing shortstop full-time. That was the main reason to accept the offer from the Reds."
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