The Reds filled one of their most pressing off-season needs on Tuesday by dealing veteran utilityman Ryan Freel and a pair of minor leaguers to the Orioles in exchange for catcher Ramon Hernandez.

According to Reds' General Manager Walt Jocketty, trade talks with Orioles president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail about Hernandez began shortly after last season.

"Ramon was a guy that was very high on our list," Jocketty said. "We felt this was the best fit for us for a number of reasons. He provides good offense, good defense and I think he'll provide leadership." 

The hard-nose playing Freel was a fan favorite, but the same no bars hold attitude on the field that fans loved also led him to spending quite a bit of time of the disabled list. The 33-year old only managed to play in 75 games in 2007 and 45 games last year. His versatility was a plus as he started games at five different positions over his six years as a Red including all three outfield spots, second base, and third base.

Freel could have fought once again this year for the centerfield job, but he's proven over time that he can't be counted on as an everyday player. Many liked the idea of Freel in the leadoff spot, another glaring hole for the Reds. While there is no questioning the benefit of his speed at the top of the order, Freel's OPS was average at best. 

Hernandez, 32, hit .257 with 15 homers and 65 RBIs last season. He is a native and resident of Venezuela, originally signed as a non-drafted free agent by the Oakland A’s in 1994. He played for the A’s and the San Diego Padres before the Orioles signed him to a four-year free agent contract in 2005. He hit 23 homers and drive in 94 runs for the 2006 Orioles. Hernandez could see a spike in these numbers as he now moves into the hitter-friendly Great American Ballpark. He will provide some much-needed right-handed power in the Reds' lineup and will join youngster Ryan Hanigan to form the team's backstop platoon.

Defensively Hernandez has become a bit liability. His 10 passed balls were third most in the Majors and his nine errors were the fourth highest in the league. He stopped just 20 percent (24-of-123) of runners trying to steal.

Financial considerations were definitely part of the deal, with the Reds reportedly getting close $2 million back to help pay Hernandez's $8 million salary.  Hernandez will make $8 million in 2009 and there is a club option for $8.5 million in 2010, with a $1 million buyout. Freel will make $4 million this year, leaving the Reds on the hook for a $3 to $4 million increase.

In addition to sending Freel to the Orioles, also going are minor-league infielders Brandon Waring and Justin Turner. Waring, a third baseman, hit .270 with 20 homers and 71 RBIs last season for the Class A Dayton Dragons. Turner, a second baseman, played at Class AA Chattanooga last season.

Overall, this appears to be a good move for both teams. It is a great first step for the Reds, who not only needed an experiecned catcher, but also needs to add more right-handed bats to the lineup. The team still needs to make a splash by landing a middle-of-order hitter to lineup and an outfielder in the process. Also, don't be surprised to see another player added somewhere up the middle. For now though the team can feel comfortable at catcher. 

MLB reds, orioles, ryan freel, brandon waring, justin turner, ramon hernandez, walt jocketty, hot stove league, winter meetings