The Cincinnati Reds' silent off-season has continued into December, but with the Winter Meetings in Las Vegas coming next week and the deadline for teams to offer arbritation expiring, the silence may about to be broken.

The team already lost left-handed setup man Jerermy Affeldt after he signed with the Giants and it looks likely that they will also not resign veteran right-hander David Weathers. The team did offer Weathers arbritation on Monday, but he will likely reject by his December 7th deadline as he's seeking a multi-year deal. By offering him arbritation though the Reds would receive a draft pick should another team sign him. They already got compensated one pick with Affeldt leaving.

Fransisco Cordero, who signed a 4-year, $48 million contract last off-season with the team, will remain the closer and Jared Burton and Bill Bray offer some great options as middle relief pitchers. Still, the team would like to add some veteran arms to the mix.

The agent representing the free agent left-hander Arthur Rhodes, Dan Horwits, confirmed to MLB.com on Monday that Cincinnati has recently made an offer.

"We've been talking," Horwits said. "It's starting to get serious. There have been offers, though, from multiple teams for Arthur." 

Rhodes is 39 years old, but has been effective. He was 4-1 with a 2.04 ERA in 61 games last season and was really impressive following a trade  July 31  to Florida where he posted a 0.68 ERA in 25 games.  Overall, lefties batted .157 against him. Adding him would easily make up for the loss of Affeldt.

In addition, the Reds may take a look at Kerry Wood.  The Cubs have decided that they are moving and are not going to make a multi-year offer to the right hander. Reds' manager Dusty Baker, who still has an affinity for his former player, would like to see if Wood would be interested in coming to the Queen City.

"We have a closer already in [Francisco] Cordero, who we have under contract for a few more years," Baker told the Chicago Sun-Tribune. "But somebody can use Kerry Wood. I am going to call him. I like Kerry Wood as a person, not just as a ballplayer, but as a person. I will give him a call and see what's up." 

Wood was solid last season saving 34 games for the Cubs while posting a 3.26 ERA and striking out 84 batters in 66 1/3 innings.

MLB reds, reds bullpen, jeremy affeldt, dave weathers, francisco cordero, arthur rhodes, kerry wood, dusty baker, hot stove