Reds trade Reitsma to Braves

<p>Right-hander Chris Reitsma was traded to the Atlanta Braves on Friday for two pitching prospects after never finding a niche with the Cincinnati Reds.</p><p>Reitsma was voted the club's outstanding pitcher last season when he filled just about every role on the staff. He went 9-5 with a 4.29 ERA and 12 saves in three starts and 54 relief appearances.</p><p>The Reds obtained left-hander Jung Keun Bong and right-hander Bubba Nelson. Both are younger than Reitsma and are considered starters primarily.</p><p>"I was taken by complete surprise today," said Reitsma, who was summoned off the field during pregame warmups and told of the trade. "It wasn't like I knew it was coming."</p><p>It was the second deal in less than 24 hours for the Braves, who gave up three of their better pitching prospects in an attempt to solidify their bullpen.</p><p>On Thursday, Atlanta acquired right-hander Juan Cruz from the Chicago Cubs for minor league pitcher Andy Pratt and infielder Richard Lewis. General manager John Schuerholz said Reitsma and Cruz will open the season in the bullpen. Jaret Wright is expected to be the fifth starter.</p><p>"It's that time of spring," Schuerholz said. "After we had a chance to assess our team and find out where we needed to strengthen ourselves, we felt it was important to strengthen our bullpen with some talented, more established arms. And we were able do that with Cruz and Reitsma."</p><p>The Braves had been trying to acquire Reitsma since last season, when he was moved into the closer's role after Scott Williamson was traded in July.</p><p>"He was an absolutely outstanding pitcher in the role he took on last year," Schuerholz said. "We tried hard to get him last year for our pennant run and again this winter. Our people evaluated him as one of the top guys in the business in the role he's now doing."</p><p>Braves closer John Smoltz has 100 saves the last two seasons, but is coming off the fourth elbow operation of his career. Reitsma could step in if needed.</p><p>"He gives us protection for John Smoltz," Schuerholz said.</p><p>Atlanta has plenty of questions in the bullpen. Antonio Alfonseca, signed to set up for Smoltz, has struggled this spring. Armando Almanza is being brought along slowly after shoulder surgery. Kevin Gryboski has been slowed by a sore shoulder.</p><p>"I feel much better about our bullpen right now," Schuerholz said.</p><p>While the Braves position themselves to continue their run of 12 straight division titles, the Reds are looking long-term with their latest surprising trade.</p><p>Since general manager Jim Bowden was fired last July, the Reds have made it a priority to stockpile young starting pitching _ something Bowden failed to develop.</p><p>"From the beginning, we have talked about the importance of our rotation not only now, but for the future," current GM Dan O'Brien said. "The opportunity to acquire 22-year-old and 23-year-old starting pitchers is a rare opportunity."</p><p>Bong, 23, appeared in 45 games for the Braves over the last two seasons, including one start. Nelson, 22, reached Triple-A for the first time last season. Both are expected to start in the Reds' minors.</p><p>Reitsma, 26, was considered a promising prospect when the Reds promoted him in 2001, but soon fell out of favor. He went 7-15 with a 5.29 ERA in 29 starts, the most by any NL rookie that year.</p><p>He bounced between Triple-A and the majors each of the next two seasons, and the Reds started trying him in relief.</p><p>With Danny Graves moved back into the closer's role this year, Reitsma's role was getting redefined again. The Reds also brought in Todd Jones to compete for a setup job on Thursday, making him more expendable.</p><p>Overall, Reitsma was 22-32 with a 4.52 ERA in 53 starts and 73 relief appearances with Cincinnati.</p>

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