By John Fay
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Cory Lidle looked at the Reds' offense and bullpen and saw "wins." The Reds looked at Lidle and saw "innings."

After a bit of negotiation, the Reds had their first major free-agent signing of the offseason.

Lidle, a right-hander, signed a one-year, $2.75 million contract Monday. Given the dearth of starting pitching, he could end up as the Opening Day starter.

"We see him in the upper part of our rotation," Reds general manager Dan O'Brien said. "We put him in there with (Jimmy) Haynes and (Paul) Wilson. Where they end up will be based on performance."

Lidle found the Reds a good fit.

"I did my homework," he said. "I looked at the offense and bullpen. The way they can score runs, and the bullpen, you know you have a chance to win games."

Lidle was 12-15 with a 5.75 ERA for Toronto when he made $5.5 million last season. The Reds are hoping he pitches the way he did with Oakland in 2001 (13-6, 3.59) and 2002 (8-10, 3.89).

There were extenuating circumstances last season. Lidle dealt with bursitis and a pulled groin for much of the season. He was 10-4 before the groin injury put him on the disabled list for three weeks.

"I pitched somewhat injured for eight starts," he said. "I was trying to be a hero. I'm not the kind of pitcher who can go out there and be successful when I'm not 100 percent."

The Reds are convinced the 31-year-old Lidle is healthy. He underwent an extensive physical before signing.

The Reds, of course, probably would not have been able to afford Lidle if he had pitched up to his capabilities in 2003. He thinks he'll be that kind of pitcher again, so the one-year deal was fine with him.

"After I got traded from Oakland to Toronto, I wanted to have a better year and get locked up for three or four years," he said. "But I didn't have that kind of a year."

Getting Lidle, even if it's only for a year, gives the Reds a chance to be patient with the young pitching they've been stockpiling. And O'Brien and Co. think Lidle can be good in 2004.

"We went through our 'pref' list, and he was right near the top," O'Brien said. "He fits the profile for what we were looking for in a starting pitcher."

Again, the ability to give innings is key. Lidle has averaged 30 starts and pitched at least 188 innings each of the last three years.

"He looks like a guy who can fit nicely in the top end of our rotation," Reds manager Dave Miley said.

Lidle, Haynes and Wilson figure to take three of the five spots in the rotation. Aaron Harang and Jose Acevedo are the top candidates for the fourth and fifth spots. Brandon Claussen, the prized lefty obtained in the Aaron Boone trade with the New York Yankees, won't be rushed.

O'Brien said Monday's signing does not mean the Reds are through adding free agents. They have three spots open on the 40-man roster.

The priorities remain starting pitching, a left-handed reliever and a third baseman.

Lidle is a sinkerball pitcher, so his stuff is not overpowering. That's the case with everyone competing for the rotation, with the possible exception of Acevedo.

For the Reds to be successful, the defense - the worst in the majors in 2003 - must get better.

"We don't have that 200-strikeout guy," Miley said. "We have the type of guys who are contact pitchers. When they do get that groundball, it's imperative that we make the play. We have to get better defensively."

Cory Lidle essentials

Age: 31. Height/Weight: 5-11 / 175

Bats: Right. Throws: Right. Born: Hollywood, Calif.

Fun fact: Was once traded for former Reds catcher Kelly Stinnett.

Career statistics

Year	Club	W-L	IP	ERA
1997	Mets	7-2	81.2	3.53
1999	Devil Rays	1-0	5.0	7.20
2000	Devil Rays	4-6	96.2	5.03
2001	Athletics	13-6	188	3.59
2002	Athletics	8-10	192	3.89
2003	Blue Jays	12-15	192.2	5.75
Totals		45-39	756	4.42

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E-mail jfay@enquirer.com