Reds: 5 non-tender candidates Cincinnati could target this offseason

2. Danny Santana could be added to the Reds infield.

Danny Santana appeared in just 15 games during the 2020 season and was quite unimpressive. Following a breakout campaign in 2019, Santana slashed just .145/.238/.273 last season. However, it’s hard to make a judgment based on just a 15-game span. Santana’s 2019 season was career-best for the 30-year-old.

Santana, who garnered some Rookie of the Year votes back in 2013 while a member of the Minnesota Twins had several inconsistent seasons from 2014-2018. During that four-year span, Santana’s batting average was sitting at a dismal .219 and his OPS+ of 55 was not appealing at all.

However, in 2019, Danny Santana appeared to turn a corner, turning in a slash line of .283/.324/.534 with 23 doubles and a career-high 28 home runs. His .857 OPS led the Texas Rangers that year.

Santana offers a lot of flexibility. Last season, Santana played first base as well as left and center field. The previous season, Danny Santana played virtually every position expect pitcher and catcher. Having a versatile defender who’s also a switch-hitter with power seems like a perfect candidate to play in David Bell’s system.

The Cincinnati Reds need to find better defense throughout the infield. Kyle Farmer, a utility player in his own right, may have provided the best defense on the team last season. While another utility infielder is not the best solution to cure Cincinnati’s defensive woes, should the Reds go into the eighth or ninth inning with a lead, having a player like Santana could be very advantageous.