Reds Baseball

When popular first baseman and clubhouse leader Sean Casey was dealt away earlier this month, catcher Jason LaRue became the Reds' longest-tenured current player. On Wednesday, the club announced its intentions to keep it that way.

Continuing a flurry of housekeeping moves this week, Cincinnati signed LaRue to a two-year contract worth $9.1 million.

The deal allowed LaRue to avoid arbitration with Cincinnati and ensured his spot as the team's starter behind the plate. The 31-year-old will earn $3.9 million in 2006 and $5.2 million in 2007. If he is traded after Oct. 15, his 2007 salary jumps to $5.45 million automatically.

LaRue established new career highs with a .260 average and 60 RBIs in 110 games (104 starts) while making $3 million in 2005. He also had 14 home runs and teamed up with Javier Valentin to form one of the best offensive catching duos in the Major Leagues, as the two combined for 28 homers and 101 RBIs.

Knowing that he could become a free agent after next season, LaRue and his agent approached the Reds about a new contract soon after the 2005 season ended.

"I wanted some sort of a commitment instead of just playing this year and becoming a free agent next year," LaRue said by phone while taking a break from hunting with his son on his south Texas ranch. "They stepped up and they did the right thing."

It also gave the Reds a little more certainty about their payroll beyond the upcoming season.

"It allows us to, hopefully, maintain the stability of our core position players," Reds general manager Dan O'Brien said.

A fifth-round draft pick by Cincinnati in 1995, LaRue broke in with the Reds in 1999 and is a lifetime .243 hitter. He's also thrown out 39 percent of runners trying to steal and has a .990 fielding percentage for his career.

Without Casey's presence, LaRue will be looked to as a focal leader in a relatively young clubhouse. It already comes with the territory being a catcher, who is required to lead on the field.

"I try to play the game the right way -- or the old way as I consider it," LaRue said. "I'll just go and take care of business and try to be a leader like Casey was. I'll step up, do the right things and help the younger guys along to do the right things."

"First and foremost, Jason has affected his teammates and our organization by the way he's gone about his business," O'Brien said. "There's no harder worker and no better competitor. You know for all nine innings, he's going to give you an honest effort that day. You have to respect players that play the game like that."

Six Reds players are still eligible for arbitration -- Valentin, outfielder/first baseman Adam Dunn, pitcher Aaron Harang, outfielders Austin Kearns and Wily Mo Pena and shortstop Felipe Lopez. The club avoided the process with utility player Ryan Freel by signing him to a two-year, $3 million contract on Monday. Two other pitchers, Ramon Ortiz and Joe Valentine, were not offered contracts Tuesday and became free agents.