Cincinnati acquired right-hander Kirk Saarloos in a trade with the Athletics on Tuesday for Minor League reliever David Shafer. Both sides also exchanged players to be named.

Saarloos was 7-7 with a 4.75 ERA and two saves in 35 games that included 16 starts last season with the A's. The 27-year-old won 10 games as Oakland's fifth starter in 2005 and was expected to compete for that role again this coming season.

With the Reds, the right-hander could be vying for a role as either a starter or reliever.

"Either one, we'll see how he does in Spring Training," Reds general manager Wayne Krivsky said. "He's succeeded doing both. He's a versatile guy and a ground-ball pitcher."

"I think [in Cincinnati] I might have a little better of an opportunity with regard to competition," Saarloos said. "I think Oakland was kind of set in wanting a left-hander in the rotation. In my mind, I think they wanted a lefty, and I think [Joe Kennedy] was that lefty. Now at least, there's an opportunity for me to come into Spring Training and have a viable chance of being in the rotation."

Over his five-year big-league career -- which began with Houston in 2002 -- Saarloos has better than a 2-to-1 ground-ball-to-fly ball ratio. That is something that could help him at hitter friendly Great American Ball Park. He is 27-25 with a 4.79 ERA lifetime.

Krivsky said his scouting reports praised Saarloos' sinker pitch and his ability to change speeds. He also fields his position and holds runners well.

"He does a lot of things the way you want them done," Krivsky said. "We've been looking to add competition at the fifth starter's spot and improve ourselves. We felt this was a step in the right direction."

On Friday, Saarloos avoided arbitration with the A's when he signed a one-year contract worth $1.2 million. The pitcher would prefer to be a starter for the Reds.

"Definitely. I enjoy it more," Saarloos said. "It's your game from the beginning. As a reliever, it's a different mind set. You have to attack a little bit more. As a starter, you can mix and match your way around the lineup because you know you're going to see them two or three more times. I enjoy it more mentally."

Last season at Double-A Chattanooga, Shafer had 26 saves and a 2.36 ERA in 44 games.

"Kirk can help us now in the Major Leagues. David's opportunity will come a little later," Krivsky said.

In another transaction, the Reds signed veteran infielder Mark Bellhorn to a Minor League contract and invited him to big-league camp as a non-roster player.

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The 32-year-old Bellhorn could offer the Reds infield versatility. Although primarily a second baseman, he has experience at all four infield positions.

"[Bellhorn's] played a little of the outfield, too," Krivsky said. "He's a versatile guy that can switch-hit and hit the ball out of the ballpark. He's a good all-around player that knows his role and can help our team."

Bellhorn batted .190 with eight homers and 27 RBIs in 115 games last season for the Padres. A lifetime .231 hitter, he has also played for the A's, Cubs, Rockies, Red Sox and Yankees.

In 2002 with the Cubs, Bellhorn hit a career-high 27 home runs. In 2004, he hit 17 homers and won a World Series with Boston.