Reds to target Mike Morse, Norichika Aoki in free agency

Reds general manager Walt Jocketty said that free-agent outfielders Mike Morse and Norichika Aoki are on Cincinnati's list of outfield targets, according to John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer. Jocketty also noted that he would prefer to add a bat via free agency instead of a trade.

The Reds' current outfield setup has Jay Bruce, Billy Hamilton and Skip Schumaker as the starting three, with a weak group of backups due to the departure of free-agent Ryan Ludwick. Cincinnati appears unlikely to target big-name outfielders like Nelson Cruz or Melky Cabrera in free agency, but can fill holes by adding a second-tier player like Morse or Aoki.

Morse, who just won a World Series with the Giants, is thought as of as unlikely to return to the Giants but has been linked to the Mets and Indians in early offseason rumors. The 32-year old can play first base as well as the outfield, and hit .279/.336/.475 with sixteen home runs and 61 RBI in 131 games for San Francisco.

Aoki, 32, has been linked to the White Sox in some rumors and could return for his second season in Kansas City. The speedster hit .285/.349/.360 while stealing seventeen bases for the Royals last season, and is likely to get a multi-year deal on the open market.