June 2016 - Cincinnati Reds Wiretap

Joey Votto says he's committed to the Cincinnati Reds over the long-term even as the team continues to deal away high-priced veteran talent as part of an organizational rebuild.

Votto has eight years left on his 10-year, $225 million deal with the club.

"We rode out some s--- last year," Votto said. "If I can ride that out and have a good time and be optimistic, then I think I can handle just about anything as long as we continue to head in the right direction. I'm very excited and proud to be a Red and motivated about being part of the future.

"I'm not going to buy high. That's silly. I'm a buy-low kind of guy. You've got to zig when people are zagging. I think the future of the franchise is headed in the right direction. It's unfortunate to trade away such high-level talent. But as Bob Dylan said, 'The times, they are a changin.'"

Over the past seven months, the Reds have traded Johnny Cueto, Aroldis Chapman and Todd Frazier, and lost starter Mike Leake to free agency.

A three-team trade between the Cincinnati Reds, Toronto Blue Jays and Los Angeles Angels centered around Jay Bruce hit a snag on Monday night during the review of medical reports, according to sources.

The deal would have sent Bruce to the Blue Jays, Michael Saunders to the Angels and two second-tier prospects to the Reds.

According to a source, Saunders' knee is the concern. He played in just nine games for Toronto last season because of left knee issues.

A source told ESPN's Buster Olney that for now the deal is dead.

The Cincinnati Reds will give J.J. Hoover a chance to close games this season with Aroldis Chapman in New York.

Hoover, 28, has only five career saves. He has been used in the setup role previously.

"It is fair to say that he will be the closer," Bryan Price said. "He's earned it. He is going to make our major league bullpen. There are not a lot of defined roles in our bullpen. Unless we make a roster move to bring in a definitive closer, it is his job to lose."

Hoover got seven save opportunities last season when Chapman wasn't available and blew six of them. Overall, he was 8-2 overall with a 2.94 ERA in 67 games.

J.J. Hoover won his salary-arbitration case against the Cincinnati Reds.

Hoover was given a raise from $535,000 to $1.4 million by arbitrators James Oldham, Dan Brent and Sylvia Skratek. The team had argued for $1,225,000.

Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Drew Smyly won the first decision of the year Thursday and will draw a $3.75 million salary rather than $3.2 million.

Brandon Phillips will be the Reds' starting second baseman this season if he's still with the team, something that is looking likelier after the veteran has vetoed two potential trades this offseason.

"It looks like Brandon is with us. Brandon, for me, is a second baseman of tremendous value and talent. It's hard to just assign someone else that job," manager Bryan Price said Sunday during a stop on the team's caravan, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer. "If Brandon's with us, I expect him to be playing second base."