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More on the trade..

Reds close to landing O's Hernandez | reds.com: News

Club would send Freel, prospects to Baltimore for veteran catcher

By Mark Sheldon / MLB.com

LAS VEGAS --- The Reds appear to be "very, very close" to acquiring catcher Orioles catcher Ramon Hernandez in a trade for utility player Ryan Freel, a source told MLB.com.

The deal would include Minor League prospects Brandon Waring and Justin Turner going to Baltimore, according to a source close to the negotiations, while Cincinnati would reportedly receive $1 million in cash -- pending approval from the Commissioner.
Hernandez is slated to make $8 million in 2009, with a 2010 club option worth $8.5 million with a $1 million buyout.
Freel is scheduled to make $4 million next season. In 133 games last season, Hernandez batted .257 with 15 home runs and 65 RBIs. Defensively, he stopped only 19.5 percent (24-for-123) of runners stealing.

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