CINCINNATI (AP) - Yonder Alonso had three options right at his
fingertips as the deadline for signing a contract approached.

If he didn't accept the Cincinnati Reds' offer worth 4.55
million dollars, the first baseman could have gone back to the
University of Miami for his senior year.

Or he could have gone to New York to live in Alex Rodriguez's
apartment and play in an independent league, biding his time until
next June's amateur draft.

But shortly before the Friday midnight deadline, Alonso accepted
the Reds' offer, which was less than he'd wanted. He got a
five-year major league deal that includes a 2 million dollar
signing bonus.

Alonso was Cincinnati's seventh overall pick in June. He'll
report to the Reds' spring training facility in Sarasota, Florida,
on Monday.