Cincinnati Reds and Bengals miss a chance to bring the same player into the fold for both teams

The Cincinnati Reds had a chance to bring in Ken Griffey’s son before he signed with the Indianapolis Colts.

The Cincinnati Reds had a chance to draft Trey Griffey and the Bengals had a chance to sign him as a rookie free agent.  While Griffey was at Arizona he let it be known that he was focusing on football.  Why not bring in the player who could be the first ever third generation Cincinnati Red?

Last year the Seattle Mariners drafted Griffey in the 24th round as part of the year of celebration for his father.  The Hall of Fame has already inducted Junior, backward cap and all.  The culmination of this year of celebration was the unveiling of a statue outside of Safeco Field in Seattle.

More recently following the NFL Draft, the Indianapolis Colts signed Griffey to a rookie free agent contract.  That means that the Bengals could have drafted him or signed him themselves.  More importantly it was a great chance for the two Cincinnati teams to work together.

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Long term Trey’s career is almost certainly in football, but with his family history wouldn’t it be nice to have baseball as a back-up.  Reds’ fans everywhere would have received Trey warmly.   Plus it would be great for the Bengals to have some good PR in the wake of drafting the controversial running back, Joe Mixon.

The Cincinnati Reds have the honor of being the last team in MLB to successfully have a two sport player in Deion Sanders.

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Sanders played for the New York Yankees, Atlanta Braves and Reds, while he was playing Hall of Fame cornerback for the Atlanta Falcons.  Sanders later moved on to the Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers, but it was his time in Atlanta that created Primetime.  The Reds and Braves leaned into this aspect and received an exciting, athletic centerfielder.

This is what the Bengals and Reds could share with Trey.  He could be an exciting kick returner with good hands in the slot at wideout.  He resembles Emmanuel Sanders on the football field perhaps more than any other player.

For his part, playing baseball allows the increase of flexibility and hand-eye coordination.  That is  unlike what most off-season training regimen can match.  As a young wideout, Trey could improve his already plus hands.  This would be benefit for both the Reds and Trey,

It may not happen now that Trey is with the Colts.  They would have to cut him and the Bengals would also have to add him to their practice squad.  The Reds can make a move for Trey whenever they want, since the Mariners never signed him.

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This sort of fun interaction with history is something that has often been missing with the Reds.  Having Trey in the minors and playing in spring training would be great fun.  Having him excel for the Bengals at the same time would icing on the cake.  These two are a pair of teams that could use some PR wins.