Ramon Santiago Spare Part For Reds

No team has a realistic chance at a championship without a strong bench.

The Reds signed Ramon Santiago to provide strength on the bench.  The switch hitting infielder appeared in 80 games for Detroit last season.

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Santiago made 22 starts at secondbase, six at thirdbase and 15 at shortstop for the Tigers.  He hit .224 with one home run and 14 RBI in 205 at bats.  Santiago was able to reach base at a .298 clip.  The home run was as a pinch hitter on August 16 against Aaron Crow of the Kansas City Royals.

Manager Bryan Price was with the Seattle organization when Santiago arrived in a trade from Detroit in 2004.  The 24-year old spent two years in the Mariners minor league system then re-signed with the Tigers for the 2006 season.

"We know he can defend," Price said.  "I like him very much.  He is an excellent situational hitter player, offensively, he puts the ball in play, can hit and run.  He is an outstanding bunter.  He can bunt for a hit.  He is smart on the bases and an outstanding defender.  Santy is a terrific kid."

The organization feel that Santiago is an upgrade for Cesar Izturis.

"We feel organizationally that we really need support from the pench," Price said.