Reds sign Ochoa, brace for arbitration

Jim Bowden wants to clarify: The Reds aren't opposed to giving young players multiyear contracts — if it saves money in the long run. Case in point: Alex Ochoa.

The Reds and Ochoa agreed to a two-year deal Thursday, avoiding arbitration. The contract will pay Ochoa $1.6 million this season and $2.75 million in 2002.

“I've said all along if the numbers make sense to us, we're always open to multiyear deals,” Bowden said.

While Ochoa settled, the Reds and six other players — Sean Casey, Pokey Reese, Danny Graves, Scott Sullivan, Dmitri Young and Osvaldo Fernandez — exchanged arbi tration figures Thursday.

Bowden did not rule out settling with any of those players for the right price.

“If we sign them, it will be for less than they get by going through the process,” Bowden said. “But they were talking about more money. If that's the case, we'll go through the process. Players have to be willing to give up some money for more security.”

The numbers that were exchanged Thursday:

Player 2000 salary Reds offer Player offer

Sean Casey $400,000 $2.6 mil $3 mil

Pokey Reese $1.95 mil $2.7 mil $3.6 mil

Danny Graves $400,000 $2.1 mil $3.075 mil

Scott Sullivan $1.7 mil $1.7 mil $2.1 mil

Dmitri Young $1.95 mil $3.1 mil $3.9 mil

Osvaldo Fernandez $500,000 $600,000 $1.2 mil

Totals $6.9 mil $12.8 mil $16.875 mil

The Reds rarely have gone to arbitration in recent years, so there's a chance any of the cases could be settled before they go before a hearing.

The Reds went to arbitration with Steve Parris (the team won) and Scott Sullivan (the player won) last year. Two years ago, only one player, John Hudek, went to arbitration (the team won).

“In the last week or so, the players have made adjustments,” Bowden said. “We're getting closer with some players.”

Graves and Reese are most likely to go to arbitration. The team and player are about $900,000 apart in each case.

No matter what happens — whether the two sides settle each case, whether the Reds lose each case, whether the Reds win each case — the new contracts are going to have a major impact on the Reds' payroll.

If the Reds go 6-0, the six players will get total raises of $5.9 million more than what they made in 2000. If the players win all six, the raises would total $9.975 million.

Ochoa, who made $862,500 last year, gets a raise of $737,500.

The Reds have been preparing to absorb the jumps in salary. The trades of Parris, Eddie Taubensee, Ron Villone and Chris Stynes trimmed the payroll by $9 million.

“Win or lose, we're in the range,” Bowden said.

The Reds' payroll number has been reported at $42 million, but Bowden said no figure has been set.

“We have to see what season-ticket sales are and what our revenues are going to be,” he said. “Basically, we're trying to break even. The revenue numbers are too preliminary to answer that.”

Ochoa, the projected Opening Day right fielder, is coming off his best season. He batted .316 for the Reds with 21 doubles, 13 home runs, 58 RBI and nine stolen bases, all career highs.

He made a strong push to play every day by putting up consistent numbers.

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