Just when you thought all the coals were dead in the Reds' stove, a faint orange glow has been detected.
Free agent pitcher Kent Mercker (8-11, 3.92 ERA in 28 games for the Reds last season) said Thursday the Reds had called his agent Wednesday and offered a three-year, $4.5 million deal.
''It's good to know they are still interested and trying to get me back,'' Mercker said. ''Cincinnati is still a place I want to play.''
But Mercker will do what free agents do - test the market - and see what offers might be forthcoming from other clubs.
The Colorado Rockies' signing of prize free agent Darryl Kile could have a ripple effect on Mercker and pitchers like him.
''I'm a tier-two guy,'' Mercker said. ''I don't know of any tier-two guys who have been signed yet, so I don't know what the market value is. Three to four clubs have shown interest in me. Coincidentally or not, the same teams are interested in Kile. They'd rather have him, and I can understand that.''
Mercker, who lives in Dublin, near Columbus, said he'd probably take less money to play for the Reds. But until he knows what the market is, he won't know what ''less money'' means.
The Reds have already trimmed more than $10 million off last year's $34 million payroll. The starting rotation has been especially hard-hit; there are only three bona-fide starters still on the team: Brett Tomko, Dave Burba and Mike Remlinger. It's a greenhorn derby after that. Mercker would be a welcome returnee.
''They (the Reds) have been going the other way in the salary department,'' Mercker said.
''Are they willing to go with Burbs, Rems and Tomko, who's going to be a stud, and then have two other guys fill in (the starting rotation)? We'll find out.''
Reds sign six Latin players
The Reds announced the signings of:
Serafin Rodriguez, 19, outfielder,
Veracruz, Mexico Alejandro Escalona, 16, pitcher, Valencia, Venezuela
Jacobo Sequea, 16, pitcher, Anzoategui, Venezuala
Rafael Camarero, 16, first baseman, Veracruz, Mexico
Raul Rubio, 18, outfielder, Sinaloa, Mexico
Juan Alba, 16, pitcher, Jalisco, Mexico.
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