The 2011 Cincinnati Reds season was the 142nd season for the franchise in Major League Baseball, and their 9th at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati. The team attempted to return to the postseason for the second consecutive year following their NL Central division championship in 2010. Dusty Baker returned for his fourth year managing the Reds and his eighteenth season managed overall. Offseason The Reds off-season began with fans calling for a full-time power-hitting left-handed left fielder; a leadoff hitter; and a strong offensive shortstop as many were unhappy with the weak bat of Paul Janish. The Reds exercised the options of Jonny Gomes, while declining the options of Aaron Harang and Orlando Cabrera. They also exercised the option on Bronson Arroyo, but later signed him to a 3-year, $35 Million extension through 2013. They also extended 23-year-old right-fielder Jay Bruce for 6 yrs./ $51M. They resigned catcher Ramón Hernández, who will again team up with Ryan Hanigan in what was the 2nd best offensive catching duo in the NL of 2010, while giving highly touted prospect Devin Mesoraco more time to develop in the minors. They also resigned another veteran in backup corner infielder Miguel Cairo. Jocketty brought in two young outfielders on minor league deals, Brian Barton and Jeremy Hermida. Hermida was invited to spring training. The Reds also signed former phenom pitcher and 2003 Rookie of the Year Dontrelle Willis to a minor league deal, also giving him a spring training invite. Then on January 7, the Reds made their biggest acquisition of the off-season, signing the current World Series MVP, veteran shortstop Édgar Rentería. GM Walt Jocketty has stated that Rentería will be in a backup role to Janish. On January 10, the Reds signed left fielder Fred Lewis for $900 K. He is expected to, at the very least, platoon with Gomes in left field. On January 16, it was announced that the Reds and Joey Votto agreed to a 3-year, $38 million deal. Regular season The Reds opened the 2011 season with a walk-off home run against division rival Milwaukee to win on opening day 7–6 which eventually propelled them to a 5–0 start to the season, their best start since 1990 (the year which they last won the World Series). Throughout the months of April and May the Reds were either near the lead or the leader of the NL Central division.