Reds re-sign Ross, Lohse

The Cincinnati Reds have signed catcher David Ross and starting pitcher Kyle Lohse to avoid salary arbitration with both players. Ross, a 29-year old catcher who came to the Reds prior to the 2006 season in a trade with San Diego, had a breakout season in 2006. In just 90 games Ross hit 21 home runs with 55 RBI while batting .255. His 21 HR total was the 3rd highest total among National League catchers in 2006 and the emergence of Rose lead to Jason Larue receiving significantly less playing time in 2006 and the offseason of Larue to Kansas City. Ross' deal is 2 years at $4.5 million. Pitcher Kyle Lohse came to Cincinnati duringthe 2006 season in a deal with the Minnesota Twins. After losing his starting spot in Minnesota, Lohse went 3-5 with Cincinnati in 11 starts with a 4.50 ERA. While he didn't set the city of Cincinnati on fire with his pitching, Lohse kept the Reds in most of the games he started and was a reliable starter. In a offseason of low-talent, high-dollar starting pitchers, the option of signing Lohse for 1 year and $4.2 million doesn't seem so bad.