Friday, December 21, 2001
Reds notebook: Bowden hopes Silva can add pitching depth
Ex-Pirate righty can pitch from rotation or 'pen
By John Fay
The Cincinnati Enquirer
The Reds added a pitcher Thursday who they think can help on the major-league level in 2002.
They obtained right-hander Jose Silva from the Pittsburgh Pirates for minor-league pitcher Ben Shaffar.
Silva, who turned 28 Wednesday, is not exactly Randy Johnson. But he has spent four years in the big leagues. Silva went 3-3 with a 6.75 ERA last season with the Pirates. He missed 12 weeks of the season with a broken left tibia after being hit by a ball off the bat of Atlanta's Andruw Jones.
“He adds some pitching depth for us on the major-league roster,” Reds general manager Jim Bowden said. “He used to be a thrower. Now he's learning how to pitch. I don't know whether we'll use him as a starter or in middle relief.”
Silva and the Reds agreed to a one-year deal that will pay him $650,000.
Silva's best year was 2000. He went 11-9 with a 5.56 ERA in 51 games, including 19 starts.
Silva, 6 feet 5 and 235 pounds, throws up to the mid-90s. He came up in the Toronto Blue Jays organization. He was a sixth-round draft pick in 1991.
He has a had a hard-luck career. He was seriously injured in an offseason automobile accident in 1994. He suffered a broken jaw, nose and both eye orbits, as well as burns. He returned to competitive baseball in August 1995 and was named the Blue Jays' fifth-best prospect after that season.
He was traded to the Pirates in December 1996. He made the Pittsburgh rotation in 1998. He was 6-3 with a 3.44 ERA in 14 starts before breaking his ankle.
He began 1999 on the DL after suffering a facial contusion after being hit by a batted ball in a spring training game.
“Our scouting people have always been impressed with him,” Bowden said. Referring to Silva's 3-2 record and 3.19 ERA against Cincinnati, Bowden added, “He's blown us away.”
The Reds got Shaffar, along with right-hander Chris Booker, in the Michael Tucker trade with the Chicago Cubs on July 20. Shaffar was 9-6 combined at Single-A Daytona and Mudville last season.
SPRING SCHEDULE:
Reds pitchers and catchers are due to report Feb.16 to the team's Sarasota, Fla., complex. The full squad will report Feb.21.
The Reds open the exhibition season with an intrasquad game Feb.26. They play the Minnesota Twins the next day in Fort Myers. The opener at Ed Smith Stadium is Feb.28 against New York Yankees.
Tickets go on sale Jan.21 at Ed Smith Stadium and online at www.tickets.com. They also can be ordered by calling (800) 955-5566.
COACHING ASSIGNMENTS:
The Reds announced their coaching assignments.
Ray Knight, as expected, will be bench coach. Tim Foli will coach third base and Ken Griffey Sr. will coach first. Griffey served as hitting coach last season.
Jim Lefebvre will be hitting coach. Don Gullett returns as pitching coach and Tom Hume as bullpen coach.
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Reds notebook: Bowden hopes Silva can add pitching depth
