Zach Buchanan

zbuchanan@enquirer.com

In the biggest non-upset since rock beat scissors, Joey Votto won the 2016 Ernie Lombardi Award for 2016, given out to the Cincinnati Reds' most valuable player by the Baseball Writers Association of America. Votto was a unanimous selection, and also finished seventh in National League MVP voting this season.

Right-hander Dan Straily unanimously won the Johnny Vander Meer Most Outstanding Pitcher Award, and catcher Tucker Barnhart won the Joe Nuxhall Good Guy Award.

Votto hit over .400 in the second half of the season after a rough start, and finished with a .935 OPS and a majors-leading .434 on-base percentage. Straily was a waiver claim before Opening Day and went on to be the Reds' most reliable starter, posting a 3.76 ERA in 191 1/3 innings. Barnhart had a solid season at and behind the plate, and handled more media duties than normal after being elevated to a starting role in the wake of Devin Mesoraco's season-ending surgery.

Joey Votto remains firm in commitment to Reds

The Reds also handed out their own awards at Redsfest. Outfielder Aristides Aquino was named the organization's top minor-league player and given the Sheldon "Chief" Bender Award after hitting .273 with 23 home runs and terrific outfield defense at High-A Daytona. Infielder Shed Long was named the minor-league Hitter of the Year on the strength of his .293 average between Low- and High-A. Left-hander Amir Garrett, who had a 2.55 ERA between Double- and Triple-A, was named Pitcher of the Year for the second year in a row.

Right-hander Barrett Astin was given the Minor League Community Service Award.

Reds decline to tender contracts

The Reds on Friday declined to tender contracts to catcher Ramon Cabrera, right-hander Keyvius Sampson and outfielder Gaby Guerrero. Cabrera and Sampson were designated for assignment earlier in the week, and Guerrero was acquired off waivers from the Arizona Diamondbacks at the same time.

Teams had until 8 p.m. to tender contracts to all players with less than six years of service time, and the Reds will tender contracts to their four arbitration-eligible players: left-hander Tony Cingrani, shortstop Zack Cozart, center fielder Billy Hamilton and right-hander Blake Wood. There is now one open spot on the 40-man roster.