Cincinnati Reds: Freddy Galvis’ $5.5M club option is a no-brainer

With so much indecision surrounding who’ll play shortstop for the Cincinnati Reds in 2020, picking up Freddy Galvis’ club option is a no-brainer.

With free agency set to begin, the Cincinnati Reds will several decisions to make with regards to upgrading next year’s roster. One decision that’s a virtual no-brainer is picking up the $5.5M club option owed to infielder Freddy Galvis. Whether he is the Reds primary shortstop or plays second base, Galvis should be part of the team’s plans in 2020.

Freddy Galvis signed with the Toronto Blue Jays as a free agent last season. The deal was worth $4M with a $5.5M club option for 2020. The contract includes a $1M buyout in the event that the Reds don’t have plans for Galvis in 2020. But, as I mentioned, keeping Galvis at that price is a no-brainer.

Make no mistake, Freddy Galvis is never going to win a batting title. For his career, Galvis is a .248 hitter and has a career-OPS of .675. However, last season, Galvis had career-highs in home runs (23), RBIs (70), slugging (.438) and OPS (.734). For all those fans clamoring for the Reds to re-sign José Iglesias, his career-OPS is .687, just one point higher than that of the oft-criticized José Peraza.

Given the current situation surrounding the Cincinnati Reds, unless they decide to get into a bidding war for the services of Iglesias and fellow free agent shortstop, Didi Gregorius, picking up Galvis’ club option is the best avenue for the front office to take. It secures a highly-skilled defensive shortstop, with some pop in his bat.

While Iglesias’ defensive wizardry was something to behold last season, at 30-years-old, he’s unlikely to come cheap and also unlikely to accept anything less than a two-year deal. Cincinnati could pursue Gregorius, and while that’s definitely an option, he’ll likely command upwards of $12M-$15M per season, and will also be looking for a long-term deal.

The Reds could always decide to to roll the dice and install Peraza as the team’s starting shortstop heading into 2020. After all, that was the plan heading into last year. However, after a paltry performance, some fans are even questioning if the Reds will bring Peraza back through arbitration, which according to MLB Trade Rumors, will cost $3.6M.

All signs should be pointing at Galvis. Even if the Reds decide to keep Peraza, re-sign Iglesias or pursue Gregorius, Galvis has the flexibility to play second base. I personally think it’s a mistake, as Galvis, Peraza and Iglesias all have very poor plate discipline. In fact, when it came to drawing walks, Galvis was the best of the three, with a walk-rate of 4.8%.

With the rapid ascension of Jose Garcia, a Top 10 prospect in the Reds farm system according to MLB Pipeline, Cincinnati would be wise to avoid handing out a long-term deal to a player like Gregorius or even Iglesias. Even Peraza can add depth at the position and is under team control through 2022.

The Cincinnati Reds need to add arms to bullpen, find a true centerfielder and maybe a new catcher. Picking up Galvis’ option gives the team a solid shortstop heading into 2020. Picking up his $5.5M option should be the team’s first order of business this offseason.