At GM Meetings with Reds, Towers likely to be hired soon

CINCINNATI -- Reds general manager Walt Jocketty left the General Managers Meetings on Thursday without a new left fielder or bullpen help in the fold, but that would have been the exception rather than the rule if he did. These meetings were an opportunity to lay groundwork for the near future.

"I think we had productive meetings with clubs and we spoke to a few agents," Jocketty said while connecting flights back to Cincinnati from Phoenix. "I think we made at least some progress on a few things. But we're still a ways away from doing anything. We had a lot of dialogue with people face-to-face, which is always better initially. We'll see what happens in the next few weeks."

Only the Mets and Tigers made significant signings during the meetings, with New York landing outfielder Michael Cuddyer and Detroit re-signing designated hitter Victor Martinez.

The probable next chance for Jocketty to meet personally with teams, players or agents is when the annual Winter Meetings commence on Dec. 8 in San Diego.

When those meetings happen, there will likely be a new member of the front office in the Reds' suite in Kevin Towers. The former Padres and D-backs GM is all but signed to take a yet-to-be-announced role under Jocketty.

"I think we'll probably have something done by Monday, if not over the weekend. It's fairly close. We have to work out a few things," Jocketty said.

Towers was the Padres' GM from 1995-2009 and the Arizona GM from 2010 until his dismissal in September. Although not officially with his new club, he was in Phoenix with the Reds' contingent this week.

"We had him with us at the Meetings to get to know us better, how we work and what we're all about," Jocketty said.