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Hall of Fame baseball writer Hal McCoy is in his 36th year of covering the Cincinnati Reds, the longest tenure for any active writer covering one team. Counting spring training and postseason games, McCoy has covered more than 7,000 major-league baseball games, written close to 18,000 baseball stories and eaten enough hot dogs to give Babe Ruth indigestion.Home > Blogs > The Real McCoy | Cincinnati Reds baseball news > Archives > 2009 > February > 05 > Entry
Reds sign Jones, Ward to minor deals
The Cincinnati Reds made two moves today that could help their thin bench situation, if Jacque Jones and Daryle Ward can make the team and can return to past performances.
Jones, 33, and Ward, 33, were signed Thursday to minor-league contracts with invitations to the major-league camp.
Jones, once a star outfielder for the Minnesota Twins, appeared last season in 42 games with Detroit and Florida.
He has played in in 21 playoff games, including both Division Series (2002-04, 2007) and the 2002 American League Championship Series. He has 20 career leadoff homers and a .287 lifetime average with runners in scoring position.
Ward, 33, made 89 appearances last season for the Cubs and in recent seasons has mostly been used as a pinch-hitter.
His 11 pinch-hit homers ties him with Tony Clark for fourth-most among active Major Leaguers. Ward has made 11 career post-season game appearances, all in the National League Division Series (1999, 2001, 2007, 2008). He is the son of two-time AL All-Star Gary Ward.
Jones’ best years were 2006 with the Cubs when he hit 27 homers and drove in 81, while hitting .285, a year similar to 2002 with the Twins when he hit 27 homers with 85 RBIs and batted .300.
Ward had an excellent season in 2007 as a part-time performer for the Cubs and Dusty Baker when he batted 110 times, hitting three homers, driving in 19 runs and batting .327 with a .436 on-base average. But he slipped badly last season with the Cubs, hitting only .216 with a .319 on-base average while hitting four homers and driving in 17 for his 102 at-bats.
“By signing them to minor league contracts, it is a no-risk situation for us,” said general manager Walt Jocketty.
“(Manager) Dusty Baker and I have had discussions the past few weeks and one of the things we’ve looked at is improving our bench with veterans who can contribute off the bench and are good people and leaders.
“Dusty likes both of them. I liked Jones when I was in St. Louis and tried to get him and Ward has hurt us (the Reds) quite a bit in the past,” Jocketty added.
“Jones played winter ball in Mexico (.314 with 37 hits in 118 at-bats, with three homers and 17 RBIs), so that shows he is dedicated to working on his game,” said Jocketty.
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Comments
By Distressed Citizen
February 9, 2009 7:07 AM | Link to this
Hmmm! The Reds signed another of Dummy Baker’s cronies. Could the Reds be the worst team in baseball? Major league baseball that is; there’s always a possibility the they could play in the American Association.By Wizard
February 8, 2009 10:24 PM | Link to this
Reds 2009: 88-90 wins! 2nd or 3rd.By AP-FLORIDA
February 8, 2009 9:16 PM | Link to this
Call me when Rusty is gone. Maybe I’ll be interested then!By Y-City Jim
February 8, 2009 5:12 PM | Link to this
If the Reds are going to finish higher in the NL Central, they cannot go 31-47 against teams in the Central including 6-9 against the Pirates.By Mike-Cinci
February 8, 2009 3:12 PM | Link to this
HuberTucky may be right about the Reds being better than Houston. However last year the Astros finished 11 orver 500 and the Reds were 14 under 500. At catcher I take Hernandez over Towles, at 1B it’s Berkman over Votto, at 2B it’s Phillips over Matsui, at SS it’s Tejeda over Gonzalez, at 3B it’s EE over Blum, in LF it’s Lee over Dickerson, in CF it’s Taveras over Bjourn, in RF it’s Pence VERY slightly over Bruce. Reds pitching is better. The Reds could close the gap.By HuberTucky
February 8, 2009 12:46 PM | Link to this
Good news for Reds fans…the Pirates are showing up empty handed this year and Houston actually looks worse than the Reds. Maybe a 4th place finish is in the cards if Dusty doesn’t screw it up too bad.By Mike-Cinci
February 8, 2009 12:29 PM | Link to this
Let’s see how Dusty does this year. Most are picking the Reds to finish 5th or 6th in the NL Central. Dusty will have to do a good job to have them move up in the standings. This team has 5th place talent and a lot of question marks like it or not. The year will be a challenge as the team does not have established veteran leadership. They did not have it last year either. There are a lot of “if’s and maybe’s” that need to come through. It could happen but odds say it won’t. The pitching will be key. If it’s good the team will be better. Good pitching keeps a team in every game and gives them a chance to win. Great pitching wins pennants.By RonnieO
February 8, 2009 12:05 PM | Link to this
Gary - just beacuse some of us are not Baker fans doesn’t mean that we’re not Reds fans. I’ve been picking up seasons tickets since the Ray Knight reign of terror. I agree - we’ve got some bright spots with some of the kids - I personally think it’s a shame that we’re asking them to succeed in spite of average to poor game management, and evidently, preparation.By Gary Maloy Jr.
February 8, 2009 4:13 AM | Link to this
To David b Dayton - If you mean me, I didn’t bash Dayton. That was BrarHopper, hehe. I went to Webster Elementary for four plus years before moving out to Huber Heights in the middle of fifth grade. Actually, I miss alot about Dayton - but mostly the Cincinnati Reds. Let’s get behind the kids, guys, they’re young, they’re good, and they need our support!By michael
February 7, 2009 8:39 PM | Link to this
There’s good people in Dayton…to include Mike- Dayton!By David b dayton
February 7, 2009 8:31 PM | Link to this
So where do u get off on bashing on someone who lives in Dayton? We got good people up here. Plus I just wanted to state my opinion. Plus I went to grade school in old north Dayton where hal’s wife was my teacherBy BrarHopper
February 7, 2009 4:35 PM | Link to this
Well Gary Jr., I envy you for you are one lucky man! Although I would think the choice between Europe and Dayton to be a tough one…LOL!By Gary Maloy Jr.
February 7, 2009 4:04 PM | Link to this
…though I walk through the (Miami) valley of death, I fear no evil because I’m the biggest, baddest M.F. in the valley… is what we used to say in when I served Uncle Sam. Now I live in Europe, so I needn’t have the same fears as you, BrarHopper. ;-)By BrarHopper
February 7, 2009 3:58 PM | Link to this
Most of us are sane enough to NOT use our real names on here because Dayton is full of mentally disturbed and deranged kooks and stalkers. Have you bothered to view the mug shots of the people being held in Mont Co jail? Be afraid! Check it out: http://projects.daytondailynews.com/cache/galleries/News/Local/jailmugsmontgomery/By Gary Maloy Jr.
February 7, 2009 2:45 PM | Link to this
I’m one of the few who dare use his own name on this blog - aside from Hal, of course. And I can surely take a joke, “Dad” or “Uncle” or whatever. It doesn’t matter as long as the baseball season starts soon. Go Reds!By nyc
February 7, 2009 2:41 PM | Link to this
iam still trying to figure out why someone would be a red’s season ticket holder???…….or even attend one of their so-called games…unless you are under twelve years old and dont know any better…lolBy Gary Maloy Sr.
February 7, 2009 1:50 PM | Link to this
Son, I didn’t want it to come to this…but git home NOW ‘cause Mom’s got them biscuits ready and it’s time fer dinner. Now who says yorn real name is Gary Maloy Jr.? We was jest funnin’ ye! I’m ye onkle!By rob in stl
February 7, 2009 12:21 PM | Link to this
Signing another lefty OF makes no sense. Jones and Nix are duplicates. Nix was going to go to L’ville and if he played well and/or Dickerson faltered he would be in Cincy. I’m still hoping for an Aurilia return, for his leadership if nothing else. He is likely holding out for a major league contract.By Gary Maloy Jr.
February 7, 2009 12:04 PM | Link to this
I remember when Reds fans were considered as solid as the Cardinal fans. I guess the internet has given everyone the opportunity to show themselves as they really are. Of course, most of the bashers are anonymous cowards. Why not use your real names, if you really mean what you say?By BrarHopper
February 7, 2009 11:48 AM | Link to this
Well, Gary, if you’re fed up with Baker bashers, I suggest you stay off of a Red’s blog. Otherwise you’re bound to be an unhappy man.By Gary Maloy Jr.
February 7, 2009 8:51 AM | Link to this
I’m getting pretty fg FED UP with the Baker-bashers out there. Who the h*l do you guys want? Bob Boone? Dave Miley? Jerry Narron? Regardless of who the Reds had signed, you people would’ve been negative. Now let’s get behind this team and be positive. Spring training is just around the corner. The Reds have a promising young team with a strong pitching staff. Look at what the Rays did last year. The Tigers a couple years ago. Youth can win, if we they’re talented and the fans get behind them. Like Donald Sutherland said in Kelly’s Heroes - “stop with the negative vibes, man”By nyc
February 6, 2009 11:27 PM | Link to this
making those kinds of moves will put the reds in the winners circle after the world series…lolBy Dusty Baker's Wife
February 6, 2009 6:55 PM | Link to this
Rusty Baker will start Jones in lieu of Jay Bruce even if Jones bats .125 and strikes out 3 times a game. Thats what he did with Corey Craperson last year. Rusty doesn’t know how to manage-he’s the worst signing the Reds have made in the last 10 years! Reds won’t win as long as Rusty Baker is the manager.By sun deck lover
February 6, 2009 5:35 PM | Link to this
In Walt’s defense, this is where this organization is right now. Not much you can do but sign bottom feeders (nothing personal) and hope for career years. Also, “Huh?” go Maak YOuSelve a DriNk!By sun deck lover
February 6, 2009 5:26 PM | Link to this
Michael said it best. Now Dusty has 2 Corey Pattersons to choose from. Two guys with big uppercut swings that are all or nothing. Safe bet they don’t leave Florida, but if they do, Baker will have them starting and batting leadoff or clean-up. The bench would be better empty (or at least more consistant)By ross
February 6, 2009 3:29 PM | Link to this
I wished they would have kept Valentin as a pinch hitter spot starter..the guy could hit… it seemed like he got big hits for the RedlegsBy Rick
February 6, 2009 3:02 PM | Link to this
Only one of these guys will make the 25 man roster. We only had 3 lefthanded bats on the roster so I think this is a good move for the bench. Dickerson and one of these guys will be on the bench against lefthanded pitching. This probably completes all the transactions unless someone wants to pick up salary in a trade for Bailey.By Yippee
February 6, 2009 1:07 PM | Link to this
Jones COULD be the starter in LF and prove to be a great pick-up. Just depends how hard he’ll work for a possible starting job. Ward is nothing more than a bench player, that’s all he’s been his whole career. Someon mentioned he would start if Votto got hurt, but I would rather see Yonder Alonso get a chance before Ward.By Steve F
February 6, 2009 11:38 AM | Link to this
I agree with Mike-Cinci. When I go to Reds games I usually pay 22.00 for a ticket. In St.Louis that same section is 55.00 and in Boston 90.00. I don’t think Reds fans would pay that kind of money to support a bigger payroll. 2.7 million in 1976 when the games were blacked out. The Cubs will have 3 free agents in their outfield this year but they sell out every game. The Reds farm system is the only way to go especially in this economy.By bobs
February 6, 2009 10:40 AM | Link to this
On one hand, the Reds signed two veterans to minor league deals, on the other hand, one good week in Spring Training and they may never leave the line-up. With Dusty, you just dont know. If Votto would “tweak” a hamstring in spring training, might be looking at a few months of Ward at first base. Obviously joking, but as evidenced by the Bruce/Patterson situation of last spring training, I have absolutely no faith in Dusty’s decision making.By Cait
February 6, 2009 10:38 AM | Link to this
These are good signings. They have been decent players and they are coming a low cost. Corey P was a $3 mill. waste. He should have been signed as a minor leaguer, at best. Both of these guys could provide solid bench help and good leadership for the young players. Hairston is fun to watch, but had a better year last year than he’s ever had before. Can he do it again - and stay healthy? Same with Hopper. And we lost Valentin off the bench. So this looks like a solid signing to me.By Mike-Cinci
February 6, 2009 10:24 AM | Link to this
Sign Abreu for $8 million and watch attendance grow??? At $20 per ticket it would take 400,000 new fans or 5000 per game to pay out the Abreu contract. Will they come to watch Abreu? Signing Manny Ramirez for $25 million would require 1,250,000 new paying fans to pay out. This is 15,000 more per game and a 60% increase over 2008. The Reds highest attendance ever was 2.6 million in 1976 and it was in a stadium that sat 55,000 for baseball. The Reds drew 2.5 million in 2000 with high interest in Junior and a booming economy. How long did the interest in our home town player of the century last? The Reds have averaged 2.1 million over the last 3 years. It has been in this range over the last 40 years. The Reds need to improve their draft selecting and build the minor league system to become consistently competitive. Throwing big $ at veteran free agents is the path to nowhere.By michael
February 6, 2009 10:00 AM | Link to this
I for one, do not see Hairston as invaluable. I see him as an expendable utility guy who had a career year. We still need somebody to hit 1st and 2nd and allow Votto, BP, and JB to do their thing. Tavares and Hairston 1 and 2 does not encourage me in the least bit. I hold all my faith in our decent Pitching staff.By Bartow
February 6, 2009 9:43 AM | Link to this
The Reds desperately need to find a veteran power hitter to play either 3rd or left field. A vet would (1) provide needed leadership in the clubhouse; (2) take some of the pressure off Votto and Bruce; (3) get Phillips out of the clean-up spot where he feels the pressure to hit home runs, which caused his downfall in Cleveland; and (4) give the Reds some pop against left handed pitchers. Time for management to give Dusty a chance. It’s managements turn to step up to the plate and produce.By Sean
February 6, 2009 7:55 AM | Link to this
Hey Huh? Have some that knows howto read read this blog to you, because on my screen it says ” He has 20 career leadoff homers and a .287 lifetime average with runners in scoring postion.”, not He has a 20 career leadoff homers!By Pete
February 6, 2009 7:33 AM | Link to this
Absolutely pathetic!By Corey
February 6, 2009 7:29 AM | Link to this
why all the hatred? Yeah, i’d loveto have Abreu, but the guy is expensive, and I realize it just isn’t going to happen. Jones was considered one of the top defensive guys in the league a few years ago, and hit 285 in 2007, and has a career avg of 277. Yeah he isn’t the greatest player ever, but you don’t have to have the best player in baseball at every position in order to win games. It’s called role players. Ward doesn’t excite me the least bit, but he isn’t any worse for the bench than several other slobs we can throw out there. Most importantly on both accounts is that they cost us essentially nothing to look at. If Jones or Ward ends up playing like a superstar and makes the team, they still cost us essentially nothing. What’s to lose. Keep in mind that Hairston, while 2 years younger, came into Cinci looking about as good as either of these guys, and now everyone thinks he is invaluable to the team. Hairston’s career batting avg, after hitting 326 last year is still only 260… 17 points under Jones. I stand behind my belief that these were great signings. I’d sign every guy I could find to minor league contracts and see if we can get them to have career years. The only way this fails is if they keep them because they are vets and hold back a better player because they have options.By Hudy
February 6, 2009 7:16 AM | Link to this
Some people here expect these signings to automatically win a World Series. Get a reality check. Jones & Ward were signed for bench help. If they can perform to the level they once have then they will be welcome additions. Abreu & Dunn will never wear the crescent “C” so you might as well forget that idea. Check the free agent unsigned list on MLB.com, RH hitters are very scarce. I have confidence in what Jocketty is doing.By michael
February 6, 2009 4:56 AM | Link to this
Abreu has a gold glove…By JRed
February 5, 2009 7:39 PM | Link to this
I sympathize, Dave. But Abreu, while a more than decent bat—is a LH bat—whose defense might make Adam Dunn look like a Gold-Glove. If you want to spend $8 mil on a LH bat, just wait a few days and sign Dunn. Now that would sell some season tickets!By RC
February 5, 2009 7:27 PM | Link to this
One guy totally doesn’t get the concept of the “blog”. Others can’t quite grasp the concept of the “minor league contract”. Y’all need to lighten up a litlle, m’kay?By David B in Dayton
February 5, 2009 7:25 PM | Link to this
I thought the reds ran out of money to sign more players. Now I know these few players didn’t cost much, but still i think we should have saved up and waited on Abreu. He is asking for a mere 8 Million. If the reds signed him he would bring more prestige and power numbers to left field that what we have. Plus the organization would make a lot of money due to higher attendance of fans. Just my thoughts..By JRed
February 5, 2009 7:18 PM | Link to this
Now, now, fellas. Let’s not get too cranky. The goal of these moves, as the GM said, was to bolster the veteran presence on the bench. Manny Ramirez is not available for that purpose, just now. JJ and DW are solid citizens, experienced coming off the bench, and not too far removed from very good years. If a younger starting outfielder got injured—Jones could fill in admirably. I would not be upset to see both of these guys on the opening day roster.By ShockMonkey
February 5, 2009 7:16 PM | Link to this
Two past-their-prime players for Dusty to over use. Be afraid, be very afraid.By Big Daddy
February 5, 2009 6:53 PM | Link to this
I called to get season tickets today but after these 2 signings they said I was too late. My goodness, the Reds are a joke. They sign garbage every winter hoping to find lightening in a bottle. Sell the team Castellini. You are all mouth. You are a clown.By michael
February 5, 2009 6:31 PM | Link to this
now we have two different Corey Pattersons to chose fromBy reds7576
February 5, 2009 5:04 PM | Link to this
To the appropriately named “Huh?”: See your doctor regarding your condition - he may be able to prescribe a laxative that could relieve your misery.By BrarHopper
February 5, 2009 4:31 PM | Link to this
This is typical. Jones “He fell off the end of the earth in 2007 and 2008” and landed in Cincy on the increasingly large scrap heap.By Mike-Cinci
February 5, 2009 4:18 PM | Link to this
Daryl Ward never played for Dusty. Ward was a Cub in 2007 and 2008 under Sweet Lou. Jones played one year under Dusty in 2006 with the Cubs when he hit 27 HR’s and had 81 RBI. He played for Sweet Lou in 2007 and for Detroit and Florida in 2008. Jones had 7 very good years with Minnesota and one very good year with the Cubs. He fell off the end of the earth in 2007 and 2008.By HuberTucky
February 5, 2009 4:17 PM | Link to this
Dearest Huh?, Please know that this is a blog and therefore the “rules” are a lot looser than print pages. Also please be aware that Hal is legally blind (he has a driver to get him to games) and cannot perform some of the functions he used to perform. Hal has an eye disease/ condition that makes the kind of proofing he used to do and most of us are used to nearly impossible. So hey, remember it’s a blog and the guy can hardly see. Give him a break and overlook the small stuff like most of us do without the critique. And have a nice day.By RRF
February 5, 2009 4:12 PM | Link to this
Two has beens that most likely came very, very cheap as no one else must have wanted them. Doubtful either makes it out of spring training with the team to include the minors.By Huh?
February 5, 2009 4:09 PM | Link to this
Can someone explain to me this portion of a sentence by the Hall of Fame writer: He has a 20 career leadoff homers . What in the world? Well, with a second-rate team and a second-rate newspaper we get second-rate writing I guess. Hal, come on, you are better than that. You are too good to make mistakes like that. Here’s hoping it was an editor who screwed that up.By HuberTucky
February 5, 2009 4:08 PM | Link to this
Whew, I nearly soiled my drawers when I read Reds acquire Jones…I thought Dusty got Andrew. These other used up castoffs are bad enough, though. Yawn. Ho hum. Again. What the hell kind of team is Cincy building here? Not very exciting or promising winter.By the plain truth
February 5, 2009 3:37 PM | Link to this
2 more of dusty’s boys…sigh