Reds: Gauging depth at shortstop after adding Dee Strange-Gordon

The Cincinnati Reds‘ front office made a strange addition on Sunday, agreeing to terms on a minor-league contract with infielder Dee Strange-Gordon. How does Strange-Gordon’s presence affect Cincinnati’s depth at shortstop?

While I’m not so sure the Reds pursuit of a starting shortstop is over quite yet, with spring training just a couple weeks away, Cincinnati is running out of time to add more depth up the middle of their infield. Strange-Gordon’s deal gives the team a veteran presence and some speed, but I’m not quite sure that adding a player who hit .200 last season really moves the needle.

Dee Strange-Gordon is not going to give the Reds what they need.

Last year’s Reds team lacked offense. More than that, it lacked base runners. The team’s .212 batting average was the worst in the National League and Cincinnati’s .312 on-base percentage was good enough for 13th among all NL clubs. However, the Reds power was on full display, ranking fourth in the league in home runs (90).

Strange-Gordon brings a career on-base percentage of .319, however, over the past three seasons, the two-time All-Star has a collective OBP of .293. That’s not exactly going to give Reds Country much confidence.

Let’s take a look at the Cincinnati Reds depth chart at shortstop as is stands currently. I’ll forewarn you, it’s not very good. Perhaps the rumored addition of Jonathan Villar will help boost the team’s offensive profile a little bit more. Until then, this is what Cincinnati’s shortstop situation looks like heading into spring training.