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

4 of 4

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – SEPTEMBER 05: Nicholas Castellanos #6 of the Chicago Cubs (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

The free agent market is starting to dry up, however, there’s a few impact players remaining. Could the Cincinnati Reds sign one more before camp starts?

The Cincinnati Reds set out this offseason to strike some free agent deals with impact players who could help the team chase a division title in 2020. The additions of Mike Moustakas, Wade Miley, and Shogo Akiyama are nice, but it feels like Cincinnati is one piece shy of cementing their spot atop the NL Central. Who else could the front office sign before spring training.

In just a few weeks, the Reds will descend upon Goodyear, Arizona with a reshaped roster. Fans would be foolish to think that the roster slated to take the field in 2020 is not in position to compete for a return to the postseason. However, fans would also be foolish to think that the additions made this winter guarantee the Reds return to the playoffs.

There are still some holes on the Reds roster. While a lot of fans think shortstop is the biggest void on Cincinnati’s roster, it’s not the only spot that could use an upgrade. Furthermore, if the Reds are going to bring in a new shortstop who’s better than Freddy Galvis, it won’t be via free agency. That ship sailed when Didi Gregorius signed with the Philadelphia Phillies.

Catcher has been a hot topic as well this offseason, but again, there’s no one better on the free agent market than the platoon of Tucker Barnhart and Curt Casali. Yasmani Grandal signed earlier this offseason with the Chicago White Sox. So, who’s left? Which remaining free agents could the Reds brass set its sights on?

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – JULY 22: Jeremy Jeffress #32 of the Milwaukee Brewers (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

1. Jeremy Jeffress, Right-handed pitcher

Other than some minor-league signings, the Reds have done nothing to address the bullpen. Now, that’s not to say they have to, as the relief corp was a strength of the ball club in 2019. However, another arm or two in the bullpen is never a bad thing, and former Milwaukee Brewers reliever Jeremy Jeffress is still available.

Now, I know Reds Country wants to see the team add another lefty to the bullpen, but that may have to come through a trade. There’s really no impact left-handed relievers remaining on the free agent market. Drew Pomeranz was scooped up by the San Diego Padres and Will Smith signed a three-year deal with the Atlanta Braves.

There are other relievers still available, such as Sam Dyson and Brandon Kintzler, both of who would be fine additions as well. However, Jeffress, if healthy, is better than both Dyson and Kintzler. The right-hander did not have a good season in 2019, putting up a 5.02 ERA in just 48 games after landing on the injured list with a hip injury.

Jeffress is no stranger to current Reds pitching Derek Johnson, who was with the 32-year-old during his All-Star season with the Milwaukee Brewers. At this point in the offseason, it’s hard to find fault with signing a player like Jeffress. Jeffress saw a major downturn in his production last season, making him a perfect low-risk/ high-reward signing before spring training.

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – SEPTEMBER 16: Nicholas Castellanos #6 of the Chicago Cubs (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images) /

2. Nicholas Castellanos, Outfielder

You can’t put together a list of the best remaining free agents without including Nicholas Castellanos. While the latest rumors surrounding the outfielder point towards a signing with the Texas Rangers, money talks. We just saw Marcell Ozuna sign a one-year deal worth $18M, so a contract for Castellanos would figure to be in the same ball park.

There will be fans reading this that say, won’t adding Castellanos just add to an already overcrowded outfield? Yes, but it would allow Cincinnati to swing some trades before the start of the season. Adding the 28-year-old to multi-year deal would give Cincinnati the flexibility to move the likes of Nick Senzel, Jesse Winker, Aristides Aquino, or Phillip Ervin.

Castellanos’ defensive deficiencies have been well-documented. What hasn’t been well-documented is the improvement from 2018 to 2019 in terms of his defense. In 2018, his first season playing in the corner outfield, Castellanos had -19 defensive runs saved. That number was more than cut in half last season, as Castellanos had -9 DRS in 2019 while playing right field.

Are we really going to grumble about a player who has a less-than-stellar defensive track record with Jesse Winker on the team? Castellanos, just like Winker, is valued for his offense. The right-handed slugger led all of Major League Baseball in doubles (58) last season while putting up a career-high in homers (27) and OPS (.863).

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – SEPTEMBER 29: Brock Holt #12 of the Boston Red Sox looks on after striking out against the Baltimore Orioles at Fenway Park on September 29, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

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.

Next. Which Reds players have minor-league options left?

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.

Home / Reds News

The free agent market is starting to dry up, however, there’s a few impact players remaining. Could the Cincinnati Reds sign one more before camp starts?

1. Jeremy Jeffress, Right-handed pitcher

2. Nicholas Castellanos, Outfielder

3. Brock Holt, Utility player

Schedule