Ramon Hernandez Traded For Ryan Freel

The Baltimore Orioles have traded catcher Ramon Hernandez to the Cincinnati Reds for outfielder Ryan Freel and two prospects, according to a major-league source.

The deal is pending the approval of the commissioner’s office, because it involves a cash transaction of more than $1 million.

On Monday, major-league sources said the deal would not be completed unless the Orioles picked up a significant portion of Hernandez’s remaining salary, and apparently they did just that.

Hernandez is owed $8 million in 2009 with a club option of $8.5 million or a $1 million buyout for 2010, meaning he is guaranteed $9 million.

The Mets might have considered Ramon Hernandez had they gone through with a rumored deal that would have sent Brian Schneider to the Red Sox.