July 2014 - Cincinnati Reds Wiretap

Johnny Cueto intends to step up as a clubhouse leader with the Cincinnati Reds this season.

Injuries limited him to just 11 starts in 2013.

"I did a lot of training. Now I can come back ready," said Cueto, who was 5-2 with a 2.82 ERA last season in those starts.

Two seasons ago, Cueto went 19-9 with a 2.78 ERA in a career-high 33 starts and 217 innings.

"These guys are getting here and they're developing not just as pitchers, but developing as people," Bryan Price said. "When these guys are so talented at such a young age, you'll form an opinion of a young person who is a young person. Sometimes, we unfortunately extract that dynamic out of the equation when we're evaluating. That's not fair. In Johnny's case, I think he is absolutely latching on to that role of being in a place of more leadership and just trying to be a bigger part of what's going on here.

"You're exposing yourself when you do something you're not comfortable doing. A willingness to offer up and say, 'I want to do this,' and him to be proactive in that way speaks a lot about that maturity and the type of role he wants to fill for our club, especially now that Bronson [Arroyo] is gone."

Brandon Phillips reported to the Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday, but declined to speak with reporters.

His name was mentioned often in trade rumors this offseason.

"I'm just here to play," Phillips said through a team spokesman.

It was reported during the Winter Meetings that the Reds offered him to the New York Yankees for Brett Gardner, but the Yankees declined.

Bryan Price did not think Phillips would have any issues this season with the team after the events of the winter.

"I've spoken with him a small handful of times this offseason," Price said. "He made a good commitment to come out for Redsfest. What I'd love to do is talk about this at the front end of Spring Training and then just get past it. To me, it really has gotten to the point of a non-issue. I don't even really think about it at this point in time. We're so far past those early offseason times where it was a front-and-center question."

The Cincinnati Reds have agreed to a six-year, $105 million deal with Homer Bailey that includes an option for a seventh season, according to multiple reports.

Bailey, who was 11-12 with a 3.49 ERA in 2013, had an arbitration hearing scheduled for Thursday.

The right-hander asked for $11.6 million, and the Reds have offered $8.7 million.

The Cincinnati Reds are "getting close" to a six-year, $100 million deal with Homer Bailey.

The front office remains optimistic that an agreement will be reached.

Bailey is eligible for free agency after the season.

Mat Latos had surgery to repair torn cartilage in his left knee on Friday while the rest of the Reds pitchers and catchers got physicals and worked out.

Latos is expected to be sidelined for about 10 days. He tore cartilage while throwing in Arizona a few days ago, and an MRI found the tear. He had arthroscopic surgery on Friday morning.

Dusty Baker, who managed the Cincinnati Reds for several seasons until he was fired this winter, is looking to manage again.

"I feel like I could help somebody," Baker told the San Jose Mercury News.

Reds officials suggested announcing his departure as a "retirement" or Baker "taking a year off," the Mercury News reported.

"Why? That's not what I wanted," Baker said. "I'll know when I want to retire. ... I said, 'Let's call it what it is.'"

Homer Bailey is the last unsigned Cincinnati Reds player eligible for arbitration.

"We're still talking," Walt Jocketty said. "We had another conversation today. We'll continue to keep talking. We'll talk again in another day or so and get something resolved one way or the other. There has not been a lot of progress, but good conversations anyhow."

The Reds have not given up on trying to get Bailey signed long-term.

"We're still talking about a multiyear," Jocketty said.

Bronson Arroyo and his representation have lowered their asking price to roughly $22 million over two seasons.

The Baltimore Orioles and Arizona Diamondbacks are "definitely pushing" for the veteran right-hander.

The Los Angeles Dodgers are also reportedly interested in Arroyo.