3 MiLB signings the Reds should make to help fuel spring training competition

3. Reds should sign Mychal Givens to MiLB deal

First and foremost, the Cincinnati Reds would need to find out whether or not Mychal Givens is fully healthy. Last season, after signing a $3-million contract with the Baltimore Orioles, Givens landed on the IL with both knee and shoulder issues before being designated for assignment before the end of the season.

If Givens is healthy, he should unequivocally be on the Reds' shortlist of players to bring into Goodyear on a minor-league contract. Givens will be looking to reestablish his value after pitching in just six games last season.

The veteran pitcher has over 500 strikeouts in his career and a sub-3.50 ERA. That's the type of production that Cincinnati manager David Bell would love to have in the back of his bullpen. While Alexis Diaz, Lucas Sims, and Sam Moll will probably be the ones handling closing duties in 2024, it definitely wouldn't hurt to have another experienced closer to turn to late in games.

Mychal Givens has been part of the Reds organization before. Cincinnati swung a deal with the right-hander during the 2021 season in an effort to bolster the club's bullpen. A reunion with Givens would have the same result once again. Givens made 23 appearances for Cincinnati that season and recorded eight saves.

Injuries are part of the game, and others players don't live up to the hype. Such is life in Major League Baseball. But with the Cincinnati Reds looking to climb to the top of the standings in the NL Central next season, bringing in some hungry veterans with something to prove could push some of these younger players to perform up to their potential.