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Hairston grateful to Reds for chance | reds.com: News

Free agent expected to hit open market, open to Cincinnati return

By Mark Sheldon / MLB.com
11/12/08 4:46 PM EST

CINCINNATI -- Infielder/outfielder Jerry Hairston Jr. rediscovered success last season with the Reds and is grateful.

Hairston, a free agent, wouldn't mind having another go in Cincinnati, but he isn't afraid to see what else is out there.
"Other clubs saw what I did last year, but the Reds know me best and gave me a chance," Hairston told MLB.com on Wednesday. "I'm appreciative of [manager] Dusty Baker, [general manager] Walt Jocketty and [former GM] Wayne Krivsky for giving it to me. I'm a loyal person and a fair person, too. I'll look for what I'm worth out there. Hopefully, everything will work out for me and my family." Jocketty and the Reds held talks with Hairston's agent, Casey Close, last week during the GM Meetings and reported some progress. Talks haven't moved enough to the point to make Hairston a candidate to be re-signed before Friday, when players become free to negotiate with any team.

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