[More Cowbell]

Have the Reds done anything to help their pitching staff during the offseason??

None of these moves qualify as earth-shattering, but the Reds did a few things.

1) The most widely publicized moves were the signing of Harang and Arroyo to long-term deals, locking each of them up for 4 yrs with club options for a 5th. Doesn't make them any better this year, but does provide some stability at the top for the future.

2) Traded for Kirk Saarloos from Oakland, a ground-ball specialist who seems lto be a perfect fit for GABP. He did seem like the easy choice for the 5th spot in the rotation, except that the team...

3) Sent Matt Belisle to pitch in Winter Ball, where his success as a starter has continued as even more success in spring training. Many think that he has the inside track on the last rotation spot now, bumping Saarloos to be the bullpen's long man.

4) Picked up a couple veterans for the pen in Mike Stanton and Dustin Hermanson. Hermanson has apparently looked good enough in spring training that he may be the leading candidate to close.

5) Probably most importantly, the team resisted any urges to rush Homer Bailey to the majors too soon, which could possibly stunt his development. They sent him down to triple-A last week.