JUPITER, Fla. • The news came late yesterday that the Cincinnati Reds, according to Major League Trade Rumors, had signed righthanded pitcher Brett Tomko to a minor-league deal.
We should have seen that coming.
Since taking over as general manager of the Cincinnati Reds in 2009, former Cardinals' architect Walt Jocketty has had a habit of collecting familiar faces. Tomko is, of course, more a Red than a Cardinal. Tomko would be returning to the club with which he made his major-league debut. But there on the righty's resume is 13 wins for the Cardinals in 2003. By my count Tomko makes six former Cardinals coming to camp with the Reds.
Brett Tomko, RHP -- A Cardinal in 2003
Miguel Cairo, UT -- A Cardinal in 2001-03, 2007
Scott Rolen, 3B -- A Cardinal from 2002-2007
Ryan Ludwick, OF -- A Cardinal from 2007-2010
Daryl Jones, OF -- A Cardinal prospect until free agency.
Brian Esposito, C -- Made MLB debut as Cardinal in 2007.
The Cardinals connections run deep in the Queen City.
Entering this season, Jocketty has made deals with urgentcy -- swapping, for example, a top prospect and a starting pitcher in a package for former San Diego righty Mat Latos, a deal that was eerily like the one Jocketty pulled for Mark Mulder after the 2004 season with the Cardinals. Jocketty also took advantage of the market and signed closer Ryan Madson to a one-year, $8.5-million deal when the righty couldn't land a bigger, richer contract elsewhere and wanted a place to relaunch a free agency bid for next winter. (The deal does include a mutual option for 2013, just in case.)
With first baseman Joey Votto's salary set to spike to $17 million for 2013 and free agency awaiting him before 2014, the timing is ticking on their chances with this group. All of the moves this winter coupled with some of the comments Jocketty has made this winter hint he sees the division there for the taking.
Especially, as the GM said, with no Tony around.
"I think it's going to make a big difference," Jocketty said at the Reds' fan fest back in January. "(Albert Pujols and Prince Fielder) certainly had an impact on the division and the league. Also, Tony (La Russa) was a difference-maker as a manager, so I think our division is wide open."
The Reds are positioned to be a chief rival for the Cardinals -- in the standings and on the field. That overheated anger from a few seasons go took a haitus in 2011. The Reds didn't last long enough, and the Milwaukee Brewers took over as the Cardinals' playground rival. That doesn't mean the hostilities between the Cardinals and Reds are over. The cayenne could be back this summer.
And part of why it's such a compelling rivalry is all the family ties.
Jocketty brought some of the Cardinals with him when he moved to Cincy. He outfitted his front office with Jerry Walker, Cam Bonifay, and Mike Squires -- all trusted advisers that were with him in the Cardinals' front office. They all work for Bob Castellini, the Reds' owner who was part of the Cardinals' ownership group before pursuing the Cincy club.
In the seasons since Jocketty's telegraphed move into the GM chair, he's led a parade of former Cardinals onto and off of the Reds' roster: SS Edgar Renteria, RHP Kip Wells, RHP Mike Lincoln, OF Jim Edmonds and RHP Russ Springer have all been on the Reds after their turns with the Cardinals. Edmonds, you'll recall, was acquired the same day the Reds played the Cardinals and hustled to Cincy to be available that day.
This spring brings more of the same with Ludwick vying to be the Reds' starter in left field after being rescued from Petco Park.
Jones and Esposito are non-roster invitees to camp.
Rolen is viewed as an essential part of whether the Reds' offense will provide enough consistent pop to contend. There may be a few more former Cardinals that I missed, perhaps somewhere deeper in the Reds' system.
And there's always the possibility of adding another former Cardinal or two.
Randy Flores is a free agent.
-30-
