Report: Reds trade catcher Ryan Hanigan to Rays

Ryan Hanigan hit .198/.306./.261 for the Reds in 2013. (Jamie Sabau/Getty Images) The Cincinnati Reds have traded catcher Ryan Hanigan to the Tampa Bay Rays,

Ryan Hanigan hit .198/.306./.261 for the Reds in 2013. (Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

The Cincinnati Reds have traded catcher Ryan Hanigan to the Tampa Bay Rays, reports Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com.

The Reds had recently signed catcher Bryan Pena to a two-year contract, making Hanigan expendable. Hanigan appeared in 75 games for the Reds in 2013, hitting .198 with two home runs. Those numbers were markedly down from his career batting average of .262. Hanigan has also led the league in percentage of runners caught stealing the past two seasons.

The Rays re-signed catcher Jose Molina to a two-year contract earlier this offseason, but will likely use Hanigan as their primary catcher next season.

The trade also includes the Diamonbacks sending closer Heath Bell to Tampa Bay.

As part of the deal, Hanigan has agreed to a  new 3-year, $11 million deal with the Rays.

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