Reds rumors: Cincinnati Reds in discussions with shortstop José Iglesias

The Cincinnati Reds are back in the rumor mill. The latest Reds rumors suggest the team is in discussions to bring SS José Iglesias to Cincinnati.

It’s been a little while folks, but the Reds rumors are back. The latest tidbit comes from The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal who’s reporting that the Cincinnati Reds are in contract discussions with shortstop José Iglesias on a minor league deal. This could potentially give the Reds a true backup at the shortstop position.

Rosenthal and The Athletic’s C. Trent Rosecrans cite sources that Iglesias’ role with the Reds would be that of utility infielder, mainly as a reserve at shortstop. Currently, the team has Blake Trahan as the primary backup to shortstop José Peraza. Alex Blandino is capable of playing the position as well, but is coming off ACL surgery after a collision at second base last season while trying to turn a double play.

Trahan had some time at the major league level in 2018, but he only hit. 214 during limited opportunities and is viewed as more of a defensive shortstop. Blandino’s rookie season was cur short by the knee injury, but he still had a .324 on-base percentage in 128 at-bats last season.

Iglesias had a nice season with the Detroit Tigers last year. Playing in 125 games, Iglesias hit .269 with a .310 on-base percentage. Not a power hitter, Iglesias hit only 5 home runs, but did rack up 31 doubles, 48 RBIs, and had 15 steals. Iglesias would be a nice pick up for the Cincinnati Reds.

Rosenthal suggests that the Cincinnati bench would consist of Iglesias and the newly acquired Derek Dietrich in the infield, while Scott Schebler and Matt Kemp would be the reserves in the outfield. This assumes that Nick Senzel wins the center field job out of Spring Training. Curt Casali, of course, would be the backup catcher to Tucker Barnhart.

This development is very intriguing, as we assumed the Cincinnati Reds were done with additions this offseason. It has been a busy time for the Reds front office. So far this offseason, the Reds have added outfielders Yasiel Puig and Matt Kemp, infielders Connor Joe and Derek Dietrich, as well as pitchers Sonny Gray, Alex Wood, and Tanner Roark.

Iglesias is a former All-Star and would be a fantastic addition to this year’s Reds team. Having a true backup at the shortstop position would allow Cincinnati to keep Eugenio Suárez at third base, rather than switch him to short when Peraza is out of the lineup. Iglesias is known much more for his glove than his bat.

If these Reds rumors are true and a deal is struck, the Reds will not only have improved their starting rotation and lineup, but bolstered their bench as well. Dick Williams, Nick Krall, and the entire Reds’ front office deserves a lot of credit for the type of team they’re trying to assemble this offseason. Now it’ll be up to the players and new manager David Bell to perform.