Former Reds shortstop lands early free agent deal while Cincinnati remains idle

The GM Meetings just concluded and the MLB Winter Meetings have yet to begin, but the Cincinnati Reds fanbase is starved for some offseason action. The news of Terry Francona's hiring was great, but where are the free agent additions or blockbuster trades?

To date, things have been exceedingly stagnant; not just in Cincinnati, but throughout Major League Baseball. Last winter, everyone was waiting to see where Shohei Ohtani signed and this year all eyes are on free agent outfielder Juan Soto.

But while the Reds and every other club is stuck in the mud, the Los Angeles Angels are making moves. The Halos already swung a trade for Atlanta Braves slugger Jorge Soler, and now former Reds infielder Kevin Newman is nearing a deal with LA.

Former Reds SS Kevin Newman lands early free agent deal with LA Angels

Newman spent last season with the Arizona Diamondbacks, and put up some of the best stats of his career. After a down-year in Cincinnati , Newman played in 111 games for the D-backs last season while hitting .278/.311/.375. The veteran, as he did during his time with the Reds, played all over the diamond for Arizona with most of his starts coming at second base and shortstop.

The Angels got some bad news recently after it was revealed that LA's starting shortstop Zach Neto underwent shoulder surgery and could miss the start of the 2025 season. Having Newman under contract will help the Angels weather the storm with Los Angeles' GM Perry Minasian seemingly the only executive willing to make some early offseason moves. In addition to adding Newman and Soler, the Halos also inked former Braves catcher Travis d'Arnaud to a two-year deal.

Reds fans are hoping to see Nick Krall get the lead out and follow Minasian's lead. While the Reds have one of the better young cores throughout the league, the likes of Elly De La Cruz, Matt McLain, and Hunter Greene will need some roster reinforcements this winter if Cincy hopes to compete in 2025. C'mon, Nick. What are you waiting for?

More Cincinnati Reds News and Rumors