Hot- Stove

The Cincinnati Reds continued to bolster their bullpen Monday, re-signing free-agent right-hander David Weathers. Weathers will receive a two-year deal worth approximately $5 million, pending results of a physical, which Weathers will take today.

The deal will keep Weathers in Cincinnati, where he has played the last two seasons appearing in 140 games. The contract also includes incentives that will increase the value of the deal if Weathers ends up closing games.

Interest in Weathers had been high and the reliever turned down three-year deals from a pair of teams to remain a Red.

The Reds received right-handed reliever Ryan Franklin and cash from the Phillies for a player to be named later.

A former starter converted to a relief role, Franklin was 1-5 with a 4.58 ERA in 46 appearances and 53 innings with Philadelphia this season. The 33-year-old was designated for assignment on July 30.

Franklin, who also spent parts of six seasons with the Mariners from 1999-2005, had a 36-55 career record and 4.35 ERA before joining the Reds.

The Reds, continuing efforts to bolster their bullpen, acquired left-hander Rheal Cormier from the Phillies on Monday for right-hander Justin Germano.

Cormier was 2-2 with a 1.59 ERA in 34 innings for the Phillies this season. He has been more effective against right-handed hittters, who are batting .197 against him, than left-handers, who are batting .259. As a player with 10 years of major-league service, five consecutively with the same team, Cormier had the right to block any trade.

Germano, 23, made two appearances for the Reds this season, including a start Saturday in which he pitched 52/3 innings against the Brewers. He was 8-6 with a 3.69 ERA for Class AAA Louisville, the Reds’ top affiliate.