Stinnett

Guerrero

        The Reds addressed their thin reserve corps Tuesday by signing catcher Kelly Stinnett and utilityman Wilton Guerrero, both free agents, to one-year contracts.

        Stinnett, 30, will enter spring training next month as the projected backup to Jason LaRue. With nearly six full years of major-league experience, Stinnett also can provide healthy competition for LaRue, who has appeared in only 67 games.

        Guerrero, 26, can play six positions (second and third base, shortstop and all three outfield spots) and possesses ample speed — a commodity Cincinnati lacked last year.

        “We're certainly improving the team by inches, not by feet,” Reds general manager Jim Bowden said. “But sometimes inches mean a lot.”

        Bowden wouldn't comment on salary figures, though it's believed Stinnett received a $500,000 deal and Guerrero a $400,000 deal. To fit them on the 40-man roster, Cincinnati released left-hander Justin Atchley and designated first baseman-outfielder D.T. Cromer for assignment.

        Known as a good blocker of pitches in the dirt, Stinnett should help stop pitches reaching the backstop, another Reds shortcoming in 2000. He and non-roster invitee Matt Walbeck combined to allow just one passed ball last year, compared to the 12 Cincinnati amassed. The Reds also set a major-league record by throwing 96 wild pitches.

        Stinnett displayed decent power the last three seasons with the Arizona Diamondbacks, averaging 11 home runs in 85 games a year. The right-handed hitter batted .217 with eight homers and 33 RBI last year while starting 68 games behind Damian Miller, leaving his career average at .233.

        “He has gotten a lot of playing time on a team that has won,” Bowden said of Stinnett. “We thought he was a really good fit.”

        Guerrero, the switch-hitting brother of Montreal superstar outfielder Vladimir Guerrero, played mostly outfield last year after receiving most of his activity at second base with Los Angeles and the Expos from 1997-99.

        He started 37 games in left field, eight in center and eight in right for Montreal while hitting .267 with two homers and 23 RBI. His versatility should help manager Bob Boone execute double switches more easily.

        Guerrero also stole eight bases in nine tries last season. This led Bowden to say the Reds now have three potential pinch runners, all offseason acquisitions: Guerrero, utilityman Donnie Sadler and outfielder Michael Coleman.

        Guerrero's development into a top pinch hitter gives the Reds another possible bonus. He hit .283 (13-for-46) as a pinch hitter last year, 13th in the National League, after batting .340 (17-for-50) in that role in '99.

        Cromer caused a minor stir last year with his proficiency (.340, 16-for-47) as a 29-year-old rookie, though he spent most of the season with Triple-A Louisville. Atchley, 27, was 8-6 with a 5.89 ERA in Triple-A.

Reds sign Stinnett, Guerrero for depth Marge Schott released from hospital

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