Reds, Arroyo Agree to $25 Million Extension

Two days after announcing a four-year, $36.5 million agreement to keep star right-hander Aaron Harang, the Cincinnati Reds have further solidified their starting rotation by signing Bronson Arroyo to a $25 million extension. Arroyo will celebrate his 30th birthday before opening day. He was already under contract with the Reds through the 2008 season, and this extension will keep him in Cincinnati through 2011.

Last season, Arroyo had a 14-11 ledger with a respectable 3.29 ERA for a disappointing Cincinnati Reds team that fished 80-82 in 2006. Arroyo started 35 games. With the duo of Aaron and Arroyo secured as the teams' top two moundsmen, the organization hopes to improve on last season's third-place National League Central.

Aaron Harang posted a 16-11 record with a 3.76 ERA in 36 games, while Arroyo lead the National League with 240 2/3rd innings pitched. The Reds will need both hurlers to pitch at least as well again this season to contend with a revamped Chicago Cubs, returning World Series champion St. Louis Cardinals and the always tough Houston Astros.

Bronson Arroyo, who was named after the famous actor Charles Bronson, debuted for the Pittsburg Pirates in 2000. He jumped to the American League to take the mound for the Boston Red Sox from 2003 to 2005, where he became a legitimate starter, contributing a 10-9 record over 29 starts for the 2004 World Series champion Red Sox. He returned to the National League the following years and was named to the 2006 All-Star team.

Arroyo is reputedly one of the toughest pitchers to steal a base off in the major leagues. With fast delivery that he credits to a trademark leg kick, only a handful of runners successfully steal a base off Bronson Arroyo each season. His fewest stolen bases allowed yet was five in 2005.

The 6-foot-5, 190-pound finesse pitcher -- a well-placed, 90 MPH fastball is complimented by a good slider and changeup in Bronson Arroyo's repertoire -- shows every indication of being at the top of his career. The 2006 season was highlighted by two stellar performances in May: a complete-game four-hitter to open the month against the Cardinals followed by blanking the Washington Nationals through eight innings ten days later.

The Cincinnati Reds hope to see more of the same. News of this extensions suggests that they also expect more of the same, as the right-hander will be earning an additional $2 million in 2008 (a total of $5.95 million), plus an additional $10 million in 2009 and $11 million in 2110.

Reds fans can only hope it'll be worth it.

Source: "Reds Give Arroyo for $25 Million Extension" by Ken Rosenthal, FOXSports.com