Reds meet with Arroyo's agent

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- One pitcher not originally expected to be back in the Reds' rotation for 2014 was free agent Bronson Arroyo. Yet there were developments on Tuesday that showed an Arroyo return was at least possible.

The Reds had Arroyo's agent, Terry Bross, in their suite on Tuesday afternoon. There had been no talks since the regular season ended.

"We wanted to let some time pass. He wanted to be able to check the market," Reds general manager Walt Jocketty said. "We told him we wanted to meet with him again just to see where they're at and to see if we could still do something. I don't know if we'll do anything or not, but we'll at least meet with him because he's been with us so long and has been a big part of our success. We thought it was important to at least talk to him again before anything else happens."

Other teams that have been linked to Arroyo this week are the Phillies, Angels, Twins and Pirates.

Jocketty and the Reds previously had thought Arroyo, who turns 37 in February, would be too pricey to bring back since he was seeking a two or three-year contract. Cincinnati also has a much cheaper option in young lefty Tony Cingrani to replace Arroyo.

Jocketty and manager Bryan Price joked it meant the Reds could have a seven-man rotation.

"If we're able to sign him, it would give us a little more flexibility with the rotation, I guess," Jocketty said.

Arroyo was 14-12 with a 3.79 ERA in 32 starts and 202 innings last season and has reached 200 innings in eight of his last nine years.