Hannahan Was Sold On Cincinnati

Jack Hannahan

Jack Hannihan likes the cold of his native St. Paul, Minnesota.

Unlike most players who move to Arizona or Florida once they sign a major league contract, Hannahan spends every winter in frigid Minnesota.

"I just get out the snow blower," Hannahan said at Great American Ball Park Thursday morning. "I love the cold weather. My family is there; my nieces."

But Uncle Jack wants to win a World Series.

After talking to Ryan Ludwick, who was his teammate in Toledo when both were in the Detroit organization, Hannahan decided Cincinnati was the place to be. "Luddy and I spent a year together at Toledo. He told me this team has a chance to win. He said it was a great group of guys. I've heard the media is easy to work with. My agent, Joe Speed, lives here. It came down to a chance to win a World Series," Hannahan said.

Hannahan in action for Cleveland

Cincinnati general manager, Walt Jocketty, wanted to upgrade the Reds' bench. "Jack is a left handed hitting infielder who can play several different positions," Jocketty said. "He is a good defensive player. He can come off the bench as a lefthanded bat or a defensive replacement in the late innings."

Hannahan is fine with the role.

 "I will do whatever they ask," Hannahan said. "I'm excited. My brother called me and said that i have a chance to play for Dusty Baker."

Jocketty said the Reds are pretty much finished with the roster.

"We're done for the most part," Jocketty said. "We may add another lefthanded reliever. I think we have a solid bench now. We are always looking to make improvements but I like our roster."

As they did with Hannahan, the Reds brought in Sin-Soo Choo and Jason Donald from the Cleveland organiztion.

Jocketty was asked how Choo would handle centerfield. "He played centerfield in Seattle," Jocketty said. "They switched him to rightfield because they had another centerfielder. He runs well. He moves well from side to side. Choo is willing to work with Billy Hatcher and Eric Davis this spring."

 Hannahan is a fan of Choo's.

"I can see him playing centerfield," Hannahan said. "His first couple steps are good. Everyone knows about his arm. He shows up every day to play. He's the first one to come to the park and the last one to leave. Choo hits a ton of balls the other way. You don't see a guy like him that has a lot of tools come along very often."

Hanahann was drafted by Detroit in the third round of the 2001 draft. He made his debut with the Tigers in 2006. The 32-year old spent time with Oakland, Seattle and Boston before signing with Cleveland as a free agent in 2010. He has logged four years of major league service. He played all four defensive positions, hitting .234 in 1,463 at bats with 28 home runs and 159 RBI.

This is his first National League team.

 "I'm excited about playing in the National League. I always thought I am best suited for the National League as a pinch hitter or late inning replacement," Hannahan said.

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