Cincinnati Reds released Ryan Raburn despite him being an elite bench player

Mandatory Credit: Kareem Elgazzar/Cincinnati Enquirer via USA TODAY NETWORK
Mandatory Credit: Kareem Elgazzar/Cincinnati Enquirer via USA TODAY NETWORK

The Cincinnati Reds released former Detroit Tiger utilityman Ryan Raburn from his minor league deal.

When the Cincinnati Reds moved Jose Peraza to second base, they changed the structure of their bench and roster.  They opened up playing time for another back-up.  They also changed the way the bench would be designed.  Peraza has been waiting for this moment since he was a spring standout for the Atlanta Braves.

To give themselves more pinch-hitting and bench flexibility, the Reds signed Ryan Raburn from the Colorado Rockies.  Last year Raburn shared left field with Gerardo Parra.  Parra had a bad year, while Raburn’s was only a little bit down.

The three years before that Raburn was a member of the Cleveland Indians.  The best season of his career was in 2013 when he hit .272 with 16 home runs over 87 games.  He had a career high with a .357 OBP thanks in large part to 29 walks.

Prior to 2013 Raburn had spent his entire career with the Detroit Tigers as a utility player.  In each of the three years 2009-11 with Detroit Raburn played in at least 113 games averaging 15 home runs.  During this time both his batting average and OBP were slowly decreasing.

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In 2016 Raburn played left field, right field, and first base for the Rockies.  Earlier in his career he spent time as both a back-up third baseman and a back-up second baseman.  With two roster spots eventually likely to be taken by back-up catchers Raburn’s flexibility, or current lack thereof, likely cost him his job with the Reds.

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With catchers and outfielders dominating the roster, the Cincinnati Reds could have used Ryan Raburn as a bench player.

The Reds need someone who can go a week without playing or have a single at-bat every night.  They need someone who can bat for the pitcher in sixth inning or be part of a double switch in the tenth.  As a veteran, Raburn is comfortable in most any situation that the Reds will uncover.

Because so many of the players on the forty man roster are high value prospects, the Reds had to find someone who can play irregularly to start the season off of the bench.  Originally, it appeared that that player would be Arismendy Alcantara.  Alcantara’s defense became the focus  for his role when Patrick Kivlehan’s power became apparent this spring.

The Reds also needed someone that would start when a regular needed an off day.  The main requirement is that the player hits enough to start several time per week.  While some people have called for Dilson Herrera to be that guy, but waiver wire acquisition Scooter Gennett won that role.

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Raburn ended up not making the team.  His flexibility appeared lacking as he couldn’t play first, let alone second with any success this spring.  Now Raburn is a free agent and the Reds are relying on Gennett to be the lone veteran on a young bench.

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