Fireworks, a light show and a raucous introduction were Arthur Rhodes' first experiences as a member of the Reds on Friday.

It just so happened to be Redsfest weekend, and Rhodes was brought to the Duke Energy Center moments after he finalized his two-year, $4 million contract with Cincinnati.

"I'm glad it's done and over with," said Rhodes, wearing a Reds jersey backstage before his introduction. "Now we'll just move along, start working out and getting ready for Spring Training."

Rhodes later joined about 50 current and former players who were introduced to kickoff the evening.

The signing of the 39-year-old Rhodes completes general manager Walt Jocketty's efforts to fortify the Reds' bullpen. Last week, free agent Mike Lincoln was re-signed to a two-year, $4 million contract. On Sunday, free agent David Weathers agreed to arbitration.

Rhodes will fill the void left when Jeremy Affeldt departed to the Giants as a free agent.

"I think we have a very strong bullpen," Jocketty said. "We've got some experience, some youth, guys that pitch long, short and specialists. We have a quality closer. I'm very happy with our rotation and our bullpen. Now we have to keep working on the offense."

A veteran of 16 Major League seasons, Rhodes went 4-1 with a 2.04 ERA in 61 games for the Marlins and Mariners in 2008. After a July 31 trade from Seattle to Florida, he posted a 0.68 ERA in 25 games.

Overall, lefties batted .157 (11-for-70) against Rhodes, while right-handers batted .309 (17-for-55). Over his 17-year big league career, lefties batted .221 against him, with righties batting .245.

Lifetime, he is 79-61 with a 4.23 ERA in 714 big league games.

The Type B free agent was not offered arbitration by the Marlins, so there are no compensation concerns for Cincinnati.

MLB.com learned last week that the Reds were one of several teams to make an offer to Rhodes. During the Winter Meetings, the Reds were one of three teams still in, and they left Las Vegas with an agreement on Thursday.

Rhodes had several reasons for choosing Cincinnati, and geography was one of them. His home is in Baltimore, and he wanted to stay in the Eastern time zone, but he also liked the makeup of the Reds team.

"They have a lot of young guys, a good starting rotation and I'll help that bullpen," said Rhodes, who has also pitched for the Orioles, A's, Indians and Phillies. "The bullpen will be great. When you have a good starting staff and good bullpen, you can win a lot of games like that."

Rhodes came to Cincinnati on Friday and passed an extensive physical that included an MRI exam. He missed all of 2007 to have ligament-replacement surgery on his throwing elbow, but returned strong in 2008.

"He gives us an experienced left-hander, obviously," Jocketty said. "He'll help complement Bill Bray and is a left-handed specialist. I'm sure [manager] Dusty [Baker] will find a lot of ways to use him. His experience will help, along with Weathers and [closer Francisco] Cordero, to mentor some of the young guys in the bullpen. He'll be one of those strong character guys in the clubhouse."

As Rhodes lined up with his new teammates to take the stage, it was noticed that both he and rookie starter Daryl Thompson were wearing No. 53. Rhodes wore the number most of his career, so it appears that Thompson will be getting some new digits soon.

"Who's got more time, Thompson or me?" Rhodes asked.