Reds in talks to sign Matt Ginter

http://www.winchestersun.com/article...s/sports01.txt

By KEITH TAYLOR/Sun Sports Editor Thursday, July 6, 2006 10:05 AM EDT

Instead of playing the waiting game, Matt Ginter opted to start over.

The former George Rogers Clark High School standout used a clause in his contract and asked for a release from the Boston Red Sox earlier this week, ending his short tenure with the American League squad.

Ginter had been trying to make the big leagues as a starter within the organization, but decided to explore his options after spending the first two months of the season with Boston's Triple-A affiliate Pawtucket.

In 15 starts, Ginter compiled a 3-9 record and a 3.64 earned run average, but didn't like the route the organization was taking in its search for quality starting pitching.

“They misled a bunch of us (pitchers) in the spring,” Ginter said Wednesday. “That's just the business part of it.”

Ginter, who began his professional career with the White Sox, before being traded to the New York Mets and the Detroit Tigers, signed as a free-agent with Boston prior to spring training.

Ginter said he was letdown because things didn't work out with the Red Sox.

“It's disappointing,” he said. “You always want to play for a team that wins.”

Since leaving the Red Sox, Ginter and his agent have been exploring his options. Ginter said he has pitched his resume to several teams in the majors, with some interest from several National League squads.

“My agent is contacting some other teams right now,” he said. “We're going in that direction.”

Ginter added that the Cincinnati Reds have been among his contacts in the early stages of finding a new home.

“We're waiting to hear back from them,” he said. “We're trying to work out a deal with them for sure.”

Ginter added that he wouldn't mind playing at Louisville, Cincinnati's Triple-A farm club.

While with Pawtucket, Ginter said he worked on improving his pitches, primarily the split-finger fastball.

“I've been trying to add on to that (pitch),” he said.

Although he would have preferred to be pitching over the Fourth of July, Ginter took the rare opportunity to return to his home in Winchester while awaiting word on his future.

On Monday, Ginter played a round of golf at Southwind Golf Course with his dad, brother and brother-in-law.

“We had a good time and played a four-hour round,” he said. “It (the break) gave me a chance to relax and spend some time with my family.”

Ginter said he tries to play a couple of times a week, but has been known to play more when time has allowed.

“Last year at Toledo, we played three to four times per week,” he said.

As for his handicap, Ginter said his average score varies per round.

“I can shoot anywhere between an 83 or an 84 to 100,” he said. “It just depends on what kind of day it is.”

sign him up.

I hope that we get him! Even though he isn't a pen guy, and yes i know we really need a pen guy bad, but the more quality starters we get the better! And what happened the last time we got a SP from Boston.......

He cannot possibly be worse than Yan, Weahters, Mays or Standridge

We have 40 man roster spaces open and it said Ginter is willing to go to AAA some. This would get him a chance to get some work in and then get called up.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by savafan

Ginter added that he wouldn't mind playing at Louisville, Cincinnati's Triple-A farm club.

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A pitcher that wants to play for the Reds?

:eek: