Reds rumors: Cincinnati Reds look to add catcher on minor league deal

The latest Reds rumors have the team addressing one of their biggest needs. Catcher Nick Ciuffo appears to be on the Cincinnati Reds’ radar.

With the trade deadline approaching, with so many players heading into free agency next season, the Reds rumors are sure to start making headlines in the coming weeks. However, this latest rumor involves a potential minor league deal with former Tampa Bay Rays catcher Nick Ciuffo. With Tucker Barnhart on the injured list, the Cincinnati Reds are in need of help behind the plate.

According to a report posted by Roster Roundup, the Cincinnati Reds are nearing a deal with Ciuffo, who was designated for assignment last month by Tampa Bay. Ciuffo, the former first-round pick of the Rays back in 2013, has been on the injured list since recovering from thumb surgery last month.

Because of the injury and a need for an opening on their 40-man roster, the Rays were unable to retain Ciuffo. Once designated for assignment, injured players cannot pass through waivers. Ciuffo would’ve had to re-sign with the Rays on a minor league deal in order to remain with the organization, but it sounds like the Reds are a better fit for the former No. 21 overall pick.

This is a nice get for the Cincinnati Reds. Though injured, Ciuffo provides a level of depth to the catching position within the Reds organization. The big league club, with Barnhart on the IL, is currently relying on Curt Casali to pick up the majority of starts as the team’s backstop with Kyle Farmer filling in when necessary.

Farmer has been much more a utility infielder rather than a catcher this season. He’s filled in twice as the starting catcher since Barnhart went on the injured list. The heavy load that Casali’s received of late appears to have affected his offensive output. Casali is slashing .067/.222/.067 with 1 hit and 8 strikeouts in his last 15 at-bats.

Of course, being injured, Nick Ciuffo is unlikely to be immediately inserted to the big league roster. Ciuffo does give the Reds a much greater depth at the position, as Juan Graterol is the team’s best option in Triple-A and top prospect Tyler Stephenson is still at Double-A Chattanooga.

Hopefully these latest Reds rumors come true in the coming days and the Reds are able to add another talented backstop to their organization. If Ciuffo adds the same level of production as the last Rays’ catcher the Reds picked up (Casali), Cincinnati may have landed another solid piece.