Reds sign OF Taveras to two-year deal

Dec 27, 2008 - 5:44 PM CINCINNATI (Ticker) -- The Cincinnati Reds brought in a leadoff hitter Saturday, signing speedy center fielder Willy Taveras to a two-year contract.

Financial terms were not disclosed.

Taveras, who led the majors with 68 stolen bases last season, likely will set the table for a young Cincinnati lineup that features Brandon Phillips, Jay Bruce and Joey Votto.

"Willy Taveras fills two significant needs for our ballclub, a speed base-stealing threat at the top of the order and superior defense in center field," Reds general manager Walt Jocketty said.

Taveras, 27, played 133 games with the Colorado Rockies last season, batting .251 with one homer and 26 RBI. He successfully stole 90.7 percent (68-of-75) of his attempts, also a major-league high.

Since 2005, Taveras has recorded 168 stolen bases, the fourth-highest total in the majors over that span. He is a career .283 hitter with seven homers, 109 RBI and 169 stolen bases.

A four-year veteran, Taveras also is a solid defensive center fielder with a strong arm.

"With the addition of Willy Taveras and (free agent catcher) Ramon Hernandez, along with Alex Gonzalez and Brandon Phillips, our defense substantially improves up the middle," Jocketty said.