The Reds should have signed Todd Frazier instead of Colin Moran

The Cincinnati Reds have been rumored to be looking a reunion with former pitcher Johnny Cueto, so why not get the entire band back together. Todd Frazier is still a free agent, and while his best years are certainly behind him, The Toddfather would have as about as much impact with the Reds in 2022 as Colin Moran is sure to have.

Okay, this is little over-the-top, but I stand by the idea that a reunion between the Reds and Frazier would not be the worst thing in the world. The addition of the designated hitter gives the former All-Star a regular spot in the lineup, and if there's one thing Cincinnati needs, it's players who can handle left-handed pitching.

The Reds should have signed Todd Frazier instead of Colin Moran.

Todd Frazier received just 35 at-bats last season for the Pittsburgh Pirates before being designated for assignment. Oddly enough, Frazier latched on with Sussex County Miners of the Frontier League in order to help him prepare for the Summer Olympics. Frazier started all six games for Team USA and helped them to a silver medal-finish.

No, Frazier is no longer an impact bat. But neither is Colin Moran. One look at Moran's career stats will reveal a player with a career bWAR of 0.1; that's the definition of average. Moran hit .258 last season for the Pittsburgh Pirates and posted a .724 OPS. Those are very pedestrian numbers, and the Cincinnati Reds have a plethora of players on the roster who can put up those kind of stats.

Adding Moran only further clutters the Cincinnati infield. The Reds now have Moran, Joey Votto, Jonathan India, Kyle Farmer, Mike Moustakas, Jose Barrero, Max Schrock, Alejo Lopez, Donovan Solano, and Jake Bauers all competing for a roster spot.

Votto, India, Farmer, Moustakas, and Solano are locks to make the roster. The Reds have raved about what Barrero can do, so you have to imagine that he has a spot secured as well. Are you telling me that the Reds couldn't find a bat among the group of Schrock, Lopez, and Bauers that can duplicate what they'll receive from Moran?

And why add another left-handed bat who is an utter embarrassment against southpaws? Colin Moran's career slash line against lefties is .216/.281/.331. At least Todd Frazier would give the Reds some quality at-bats against lefties. Frazier's posted a career-OPS of .813 off left-handed pitchers.

All kidding aside, in the grand scheme of things, adding a player who's past his prime like Todd Frazier is not the best idea for the Cincinnati Reds. But neither is inking an average corner infielder to a major league contract when you have so much young talent who could benefit from the increased playing time. Signing Colin Moran is yet another mistake the Reds front office has made this offseason.