CINCINNATI (AP) -Jeremy Affeldt could get a chance to start for Cincinnati this season.
The Reds have agreed to a one-year contract with the former Colorado Rockies reliever, according to a person familiar with the negotiations.
If the left-hander passes a physical this week, he will get a $3 million salary with a chance to make another $1 million in performance bonuses based on starts and innings pitched, said the person, who spoke Tuesday on condition of anonymity because no announcement had been made.
Reds general manager Wayne Krivsky has declined to comment on Affeldt.
The 28-year-old pitcher split time with Kansas City as a starter and reliever from 2002-06. He made a career-high 18 starts in 2003 along with 18 relief appearances, throwing a career-high 126 innings. He had 13 saves for the Royals the next season.
The Rockies got Affeldt in a July 2006 trade. He pitched exclusively out of the bullpen for the Rockies, and went 4-3 with a 3.51 ERA last season, when he made $1.25 million. Affeldt appeared in all four games as Colorado got swept by Boston in the World Series, giving up two hits in three innings.
The Reds are trying to fill out their rotation behind Aaron Harang and Bronson Arroyo. They traded outfielder Josh Hamilton to the Texas Rangers in December and received starter Edinson Volquez, who will get a chance to compete for a spot.
Homer Bailey, the Reds’ top pick in the June 2004 draft, also is in the mix for a spot. Bailey made his major league debut last season.
If Affeldt doesn’t wind up in the rotation, he will give the Reds another late-inning relief option. They signed closer Francisco Cordero in the offseason, which moves David Weathers into a setup role.
The Reds also have left-handers Mike Stanton, Bill Bray and Jon Coutlangus in the bullpen.
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