We have a video of the entire press conference, but it has also been transcribed for you to read if you prefer to consume things that way.
Was this your first choice because it seems like the perfect match?
It’s perfect. That’s why I’m here because it’s perfect. Everything worked out. Everything is perfect now, beautiful. Very excited to be back home.
What made you decide the Reds were the best option for you?
First of all, the Reds were the team that talked to my agents about me in the offseason and always asked (inaudible) to bring me back. If you see, if you put it all together, it will be easy for me to be back home. I still have some of my family here. My daughter was born here. My wife and I think we made a good decision to come back here.
When you gave me the opportunity to win the World Series or go to the World Series and talked to my agents, they obviously put the numbers together. I think the chance of winning, the chance of bringing the playoffs to town, the chance we have with me and making the playoffs and winning it all – was great. So I think that made everything easier.
The personal why – I know everyone. I know the city and I am very happy to be back. I think the ballpark is going to make my career and keep it in good shape. For me, I think the division is very easy for me and like I said, I already know it and that makes everything easy.
Nick Krall just told us that the owner was willing to expand payroll to get your deal done. What does that mean for you?
It means a lot. Like I said, they were the team that asked about me all the time, almost the entire offseason. We put everything together. Both parties reached a good deal and I am happy that it worked out. I think the owners, Nick Krall, Jeff (Graupe – the vice president and assistant GM, player acquisitions and strategy), everyone did a really good job of bringing everything together to make this deal happen. It is clear that both parties are happy to have achieved that.
Did you leave years or money on the table to return to Cincinnati?
No, it’s not years, it wasn’t about years. It’s about where you want to be. We worked two years and combined it with one year and one year with a mutual option, and it is basically good for both parties.
When you were traded for spring training in 2022. Did you ever think you’d end up here again?
I remember that conversation with you and I said “you never know”. This game is like that. That’s what this company is like: you never know where your career will end. You know what you’re getting into. I started in Detroit, right, but you don’t know where you end up. But I said at the time that I might end it in Cincinnati. And five years later, here I am. God’s time is perfect, as I always say. God has been good to me, to my family, and to my career. I think this is a gift to be back where everyone knows you, where you feel comfortable, where you are very happy to be. Like I said, it feels so good and I’m happy to be here again.
What does it mean to return to a team that sees you as a missing piece that could take them to the World Series?
I think we look really good at the moment when I see the line-up. I can’t wait to put it all together. I’ve met these guys over the years and I see how good they’ve been. The pitching staff was great. The crime happened there. I know they have speed, they get on base quickly and they have very good defense. They’re looking for something like me, and maybe they’re looking for something different than me, and I’m here now to help the team, help the lineup. Not to be a superhero. Not being a superhero, but being my best version and putting everything on the field, doing my best to help the team win games. That’s more important to me. I don’t come here to be a superhero. I only came here to help my team become a better team on the field and I will help the team win games.
Do you know which number you will wear?
I’m not going to be number 7, like I said before. #7 belongs to Steer and he has been very good under that number the last three years and there is no way I can take that number from him. They said they have #28 open so I will keep #28 that I have worn for the last five years so yes it is #28.
How do you think you can help Elly De La Cruz?
I mean, whatever he needs from me, I’m there. He has the talent, he knows what he can do on the field. Whatever he needs from me, I will help him. I know how good he is and maybe he can help me a lot too. I came here to help the team win games and become the best version of the Cincinnati Reds. To be one of the guys that helps the young kids get better, not only on the field, but off the field as well. Be mentally stronger because it’s not just about physical, it’s more about mental. You have to be strong here (points to your head) and that will help you be your best version on the field. Whatever Elly needs from me, I already have text messages from him and he is very happy and it is very good to have it and I will be there for him. For him, but not just for him, but for everyone on this team.
Who did you hear from when you signed with the current and former Reds?
I got a text from Emilio Pagan. I never played with him but he was one of the guys who texted me, who welcomed me really well and texted me really good words and that means a lot when you have teammates that want you to hear it and they’re happy for me and that means a lot. I received a few text messages from Elly, from Emilio. I always talk to a few other guys – Tomas Vera (athletic trainer), Freddie Benavides (bench coach), always have conversations with them and it’s great.
Have you seen the reactions from the fans, what is it like to see the excitement from them to have you back?
Just bring the good atmosphere to the field, be happy. Like you said, I’m not a big social media guy, but I already see the messages from the fans and of course it feels great to have all their support and that they feel happy. I’ve seen some guys in town and they’re really happy for me and that means a lot. I can’t wait to see Great American Ball Park on opening day with the entire crowd cheering for our team.
How are the vibrations?
It’s high now. Always. Very high.
Have you had a chance to talk to Terry Francona and what that was like?
Yes, I’ve already had a conversation with him. He told me how excited he was and I told him back how excited I was. It’s a pleasure for me and I told him it was an honor for me to play for him. I know for me he’s one of the best managers in the game and he’s a Hall of Fame manager. We already talked about where I will play and what my role on the field will be. I told him that I am open to giving 100% of my best every day. Whatever he needs, I will give him 100%.
Is there anything different about the player you are now compared to the player the Reds traded away?
Yes, as you get older you know more, you learn more and you know more about this game. I feel like I’m the same guy on the field, doing my best every day and playing 100% every day, even when I’m not feeling well. But it’s more like I grew up as a person. Who you are, who you want to be when this is done. Now I’m a different man. I just try to be the best husband, the best son, father and all that stuff. You know what I mean? The way you grew up, because on the field you put your talent in, you work every time, every year to do really well on the field. At the same time, it is also something different without baseball and you have to think about that now. But like I said, on the pitch I think I’m the same guy, the guy who enjoys the game 100%, the guy who will give the team the best version of me and try to win games. That’s our goal, that’s my goal.
To what extent would you embrace the role as one of the leaders in the clubhouse?
Obviously I’ll be one of the oldest on the field, but I don’t want to be the guy they have to listen to because I’m the older guy. It doesn’t work that way for me. I want to be a good example and a good model, and I want to be the man, whatever they need from me. I’m here. If they want to talk about baseball, I’ll talk about baseball or talk about something else. I want to be that man. I don’t want to be the guy who has to listen to me or do what I say. No, that’s not what it’s about. I want to be the good model and the good model is the man who can do good things. Even if you don’t feel good, you have to do something good and make everyone happy and give everyone a good smile, and that’s something I want to be in the clubhouse this time.
Last year at the trade deadline there was talk about teams you could end up with and three of them were the Mariners, Tigers and Reds – teams you had already been with. What did it mean to you that they all came back to you and that the Mariners and the Reds both brought you back?
To me it means a lot. It’s like what I always say: leave doors open. How to open doors by being a good teammate, being good on the field and treating everyone the same. If you sit back and you see I’ve been to Seattle twice, now I’ve been here twice, Arizona twice. It’s just because God is good and God has given me something special. I want to share all those good things that God gave me with everyone. The grace is not just for me, it is something I want to share with everyone. And that means a lot when people or teams ask for you and they want you because they know you and what you can do on and off the field. That means a lot to me and that’s something when I look back and see young Geno and back in Venezuela and I never thought it would happen to me and now it has happened and I just have to enjoy the time, enjoy the moment, and be grateful. Be grateful for every time the door was open and every time be yourself and share the grace you have received from God.
Do you have a favorite memory from your last time in Cincinnati?
I have a few husbands. I think this is one of the best for me, this is obviously off the field, but my daughter being born here in Cincinnati is a very good memory, not only for the team but also for the city. Everything I do, when I hit the 49th home run to break the Venezuelan record, when I made my debut here, when I hit the home run against Jon Lester from the boat. There are a lot of good things I had in mind and I want to continue and collect memories of this city, this ballpark and the team.
What will your emotions be like on Opening Day?
I can’t wait. I know how excited people are about opening day here in Cincinnati. How big it is for our fans and for me. I can’t wait to see the crowds around town and around the ballpark, see the kids and the people cheering us on. It’s a party. It’s a party and you enjoy it and play for it. You enjoy that day because you see all the people and the opening of the baseball season and it’s very exciting for me to be a part of that this year.
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