Reds add Rhodes, McCracken
West Hi product 'Tuffy' comes home after power stint in Japan
BY KEVIN KELLY | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER
<!--ARTICLE BODY TEXT-->Karl "Tuffy" Rhodes and Ken Griffey Jr. gained notice two decades ago as the area's top high school baseball prospects.
Professional careers led each away from Cincinnati before bringing them home to the Reds.
Griffey's homecoming came six years ago.
Rhodes' came Tuesday when the Reds signed him and fellow veteran outfielder Quinton McCracken to minor-league contracts with invitations to major-league spring training.
"We're giving (Reds manager) Jerry (Narron) a few more choices to pick from and strengthen his bench," Reds general manager Wayne Krivsky said. "That's what it's all about, especially in the National League."
A Western Hills High product, who is 37 years old, Rhodes spent the past 10 years playing in Japan, where he hit 360 home runs in 1,316 games and became a celebrity. While with the Osaka Kintetsu Buffaloes in 2001, he hit 55 home runs to tie Sadaharu Oh's single-season record.
"We certainly know his track record and his statistics," Krivsky said. "He's a little bit of an unknown from a scouting standpoint."
Houston selected Rhodes in the third round (68th overall) of the 1986 draft, and he went on to play 225 major-league games with the Astros, Cubs and Red Sox from 1990-95. Rhodes spent the past two seasons with the Yomiuri Giants and batted .267 with 72 home runs and 169 RBI.
"We decided to reach out and see if he wanted to come down and have a chance to make the club," Krivsky said.
"We're excited about that," Krivsky added. "I think the fact that he's a Cincinnati native had something to do with this."
McCracken, who'll be 36 in August, will make $600,000 if he makes the team out of spring training.
"He's a guy that can play all three outfield positions, a switch-hitter, can run a little bit," Krivsky said. "We like him as a guy to compete for one of those extra outfield spots since he can play all three."
As the only non-roster player to make the Diamondbacks' opening day roster last season, McCracken hit .237 with a .312 on-base percentage in 215 at-bats. His 19 pinch hits were a career high and matched Arizona's franchise record.
McCracken has played in 954 games with five teams. One of those stops, in 2001, was in Minnesota where Krivsky worked as assistant GM.
"He's a tremendous person - a top-notch, quality human being," Krivsky said.
DUNN DEAL: Adam Dunn's new contract will pay the first baseman $18 million over the next two seasons, but there is more to the club option for 2008.
The Reds will pay Dunn a $13 million base salary in 2008 if they pick up the option or $500,000 to buy it out. The option voids if Dunn is traded, which would make him a free agent after the 2007 season.
The deal gives Dunn security, but it also allows the Reds to plan their budget around it.
"For sure, because it's a certainty," Krivsky said. "It also helps to know that Adam was willing to make this kind of commitment to the Reds. We're certainly appreciative of it."
CORRESPONDING MOVE: To make room on the 40-man roster for first baseman Scott Hatteberg, the Reds designated pitcher Jung Keun Bong for assignment Tuesday.
The team has 10 days to trade, release or pass him through waivers.
Hatteberg signed a one-year contract Sunday. The Reds probably will sign Bong, who pitched in one game with Class A Sarasota last season, to a minor-league contract if no team claims him.
WORLD CLASSIC: Griffey was named Tuesday to the 30-man U.S. roster that will compete in the inaugural World Baseball Classic next month.
Johnny Damon (Yankees), Jeff Francoeur (Braves), Matt Holliday (Rockies), Vernon Wells (Blue Jays) and Randy Winn (Giants) were the other outfielders selected.
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