Cincinnati Reds: Three remaining free agents to chase before camp begins

3. Brock Holt, Utility player

Not much had been mentioned about adding Brock Holt to the Cincinnati Reds roster until rumors surfaced last week about a potential interest in the former Red Sox utilityman. It appears, after signing José Peraza, Boston is ready to move on from Holt, who’d be a nice left-handed hitting addition to Cincinnati’s bench.

The odd thing about signing a player like Holt is the practically of it. Doesn’t Cincinnati have enough utility players? I mean, Kyle Farmer, Josh VanMeter, Phillip Ervin, Alex Blandino, and the recently signed Matt Davidson all seem to occupy a similar role heading into spring training, right? Holt brings something that none of them really have – veteran experience and success.

Adding Moustakas and Miley brought players to the Queen City who’ve won at the highest level. Moose has a World Series title to his name, and Miley has been part of back-to-back playoff teams. That has to count for something. Adding Holt would fit that mold as well. The Reds, with the exception of Joey Votto, is made up of several players who’ve never tasted success. Holt has.

Not only that, but he’s a pretty good ball player as well. Brock Holt had a career-year at the dish in 2019, hitting .297 with a .369 on-base percentage. The 31-year-old is not going to go opposite-field too often, if ever, but he will get on base, as evidenced by his .340 career on-base percentage.

Will the Cincinnati Reds be more competitive in 2020? We all think so. Would one or two more additions to the squad make the Reds the unquestioned favorites in the NL Central? Probably. The question is, will Cincinnati make another move or two heading into the final weeks of the offseason, or will the front office stand pat. I’m guessing the former rather than the latter.