By Kevin Kelly
The Cincinnati Enquirer

BRADENTON, Fla. - The Reds offered Jimmy Haynes a chance last spring, but it came with no major-league guarantees.

"He's one of the pitchers we identified that you thought (pitching coach Don Gullett) could help," general manager Jim Bowden said. "I think the proof is in his performance."

A loser of 17 games with the Brewers in 2001, Haynes won a spot in Cincinnati's rotation last spring and hasn't slowed since.

He finished a career year 15-10 with a 4.12 ERA and led the Reds staff in wins, starts (34), innings pitched (1962/3) and strikeouts (126).

"That's definitely a turnaround," Haynes said Sunday after making his first start this spring.

The Reds rewarded the 30-year-old with a one-year, $2.5-million contract that includes an option year at the same price.

They're also planning on him starting Opening Day against the Pirates at the new Great American Ball Park.

"I'm just trying to go out and do the same things I did last year," said Haynes, who allowed one run on one hit over two innings against the Pirates Sunday.

"I didn't really change anything last year. I just had a good year. Things were going my way. Hopefully they'll be going my way this year."

Other teams inquired about Haynes this off-season, including the Braves, who called the LaGrange, Ga., native.

"I considered other teams, but I wanted to come back here," Haynes said. "I like playing here. I like the guys. I had a good time last year."

Along with Ryan Dempster, Haynes will be counted on to carry a substantial workload this season.

Haynes has averaged more than 180 innings pitched the past five seasons, and pitched six innings or more in 22 games last season.

"If you throw 200 innings, that means you're doing something good or you're on such a terrible team that they can't find anybody better," manager Bob Boone said.

Slowed earlier this month by a mild case of tendinitis in his right shoulder, Haynes is healthy.

His focus now is on establishing his two-seam fastball and throwing fewer breaking balls.

"You always try and improve," he said. "I always try to get more innings, always try to win more ballgames, get my ERA lower.

"There's always things to improve on . . . You've got to set goals. It'd be great to go out this year and win 15 again or even more."

Haynes career

Year	Team	G	W-L	ERA
1995	Baltimore	4	2-1	2.25
1996	Baltimore	26	3-6	8.29
1997	Oakland	13	3-6	4.42
1998	Oakland	33	11-9	5.09
1999	Oakland	30	7-12	6.34
2000	Milwaukee	33	12-13	5.33
2001	Milwaukee	31	8-17	4.85
2002	Cincinnati	34	15-10	4.12
Totals		204	61-74	5.24