Non-tendered players options for Reds
Jocketty expresses interest in Taveras, Wigginton and Miles
By Mark Sheldon / MLB.com
CINCINNATI -- The Reds' pool of candidates to fill holes became a little deeper Saturday following the revealing of players who weren't tendered 2009 contracts around the league.
Among those that pique Cincinnati's interest are outfielder Willy Taveras, utility player Ty Wigginton and infielder Aaron Miles. All are now on the free-agent market.
"Miles, if we don't sign [Jerry] Hairston," Reds general manager Walt Jocketty said during a break from Redsfest on Saturday afternoon. "Wigginton if we don't find the outfielder we want. Taveras could be the center fielder-type guy."
Taveras, a speedster who led the Majors with 68 stolen bases last season, batted .251 with a .308 on-base percentage for the Rockies in 2008. The Reds were rumored to have interest in trading for him last month.
Wigginton, who was eligible for arbitration this winter if he remained with the Astros, can play both corner infield spots and left field. He batted .285 with 23 home runs, 58 RBIs and a .350 on-base percentage.
"Wiggington was a bit of a surprise," Jocketty said of his being non-tendered. "I thought [the Astros] might, but I wasn't sure they would."
Miles primarily plays second base, shortstop and third base, but he has some outfield experience. He also played for Jocketty in St. Louis. Last season with the Cardinals, Miles batted .317 with four homers and 31 RBIs.
Another right-handed-hitting outfielder on the market is Jonny Gomes, who was non-tendered by the Rays. Gomes hit a career-high 21 homers in 2005 and was once a promising star for Tampa Bay. He fell back last season and batted .182 with eight homers and 21 RBIs in 77 games.
Mark Sheldon is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs