Cincinnati Reds: Free agent options to platoon with Joey Votto at first base

It’s time for Reds first baseman Joey Votto to find a running mate.

Most fans do not like the idea of platooning, but it’s time to face the reality that it’s part of the game of baseball. Furthermore, it’s time to face the reality that Joey Votto is not the same player he was back in 2017. The 2020 season marked a low point in Votto’s career when he was benched due to poor performance. Is there a free agent available who the Cincinnati Reds could pair with Votto?

To think of Joey Votto as an everyday player as we head into the 2021 season is a bit of a reach. At 37-years old, can the former MVP be counted on for 162 games? No, especially if you want him to be effective. Additionally, Votto’s defensive performance in 2020 was horrendous. Any metric you look at would show he was among the worst fielding first basemen in the league.

Votto’s five errors were tied with Pete Alonso for the most among first basemen in the National League. In 133 games last season, Votto was charged with just seven errors. According to FanGraphs, Votto’s -7 defensive runs saved was his worst performance since 2016 (12 DRS). Votto’s -7 DRS was the worst in the NL with Rhys Hoskins -5 ranking second-from-the-bottom.

Since there’s no one in the Cincinnati Reds minor league system fit to join Votto at first base, perhaps the front office would do better to sign a free agent. While there’s not a plethora of options currently available, that could change as the December 2nd non-tender deadline approaches. So, which free agent first basemen could Cincinnati pursue this winter?

Carlos Santana, Cleveland Indians

At age-34, Carlos Santana would not be a longterm solution at first base for the Cincinnati Reds. But the former Cleveland first baseman would give David Bell an above-average defender to replace Votto late in games and a switch-hitting power bat off the bench. Santana hit just .199 last season, but still owned a .349 on-base percentage.

Santana was an All-Star in 2019, slashing .281/.397/.515 with 34 home runs and 93 RBIs. The former backstop racked up 47 walks this season to lead the league. Santana accumulated more than 100 free passes in three of the previous five full seasons.

In terms of defense, Carlos Santana was tied for third in the American League with five defensive runs saved. According to FanGraphs, after putting up -11 DRS in 2015, has had three seasons in which he’s accounted for four or more defensive runs saved.

Another advantage to adding Santana is his bat. The Dominican native is a switch hitter, something that would no doubt make David Bell salivate. We’ve seen over his two seasons at the helm how much the Reds skipper enjoys playing the lefty-righty matchups. For his career, there’s not a steep drop-off in terms of production for Santana whether he faces a right-handed or left-handed pitcher.

Working out a contract with Carlos Santana may be a huge sticking point for the former Indians first baseman. Santana’s $17.5M option was not picked up by Cleveland, but the slugger is sure to be looking for a starting spot and sizable salary heading into 2021. Platooning with Votto may not appeal to Santana, but the market may dictate what role he takes next season.

Howie Kendrick, Washington Nationals

The Washington Nationals declined the exercise their team option on infielder Howie Kendrick, effectively making him a free agent. The hero for the Washington Nationals during the 2019 postseason, Kendrick would bring playoff experience and a consistent bat to the Cincinnati Reds; something this organization sorely needs.

The Reds addition of Mike Moustakas last winter showed a willingness to win. Moustakas had been part of several successful teams and was handsomely rewarded with a four-year/$64M contract. While Kendrick might not fit the mold of an multi-time All-Star, he was the NLCS MVP in 2019.

Injuries shelved Kendrick for all but 25 games this past season, but he still managed a .275 batting average and .320 on-base percentage. Like every other player on this list, he’s not a left-handed hitter, which would afford Cincinnati’s manager David Bell to play the percentages.

While Kendrick played second base throughout the majority of his big league career, he’s seen over 50 games at first base over the last two seasons. In fact, that was his exclusive position with the Nats last season, though he also saw time as the team’s designated hitter.

Kendrick was a much more sought-after commodity following his success in the postseason following the 2019 season. Coming off an injury-plagued 2020 campaign and entering what would be his age-37 season may affect his ability to land a considerable contract. The Reds should explore the idea of adding Kendrick to give Joey Votto a few days off per week.