Reds' chase for international player comes full circle after failed Yankees' tenure

The Cincinnati Reds finally got their man. According to the team's transactions page, the Reds agreed to a minor-league deal with former New York Yankees shortstop Alexander Vargas. The 23-year-old was recently released by the Yankees, and according to MLB insider Francys Romero, will now report to the Reds' High-A affiliate in Dayton.

This signing has a bit of backstory, however. The Reds had their eye on Vargas — a top-15 prospect — during the international signing period back in 2018, but their bonus pool allotment was rather scant. According to MLB Pipeline, however, Cincinnati had already worked out an agreement with Vargas prior to the signing period.

But the Yankees had their sights set on Vargas as well, and essentially cobbled together enough money to overwhelm the young Cuban infielder with a hefty offer — one that the Reds couldn't match. New York signed Vargas for $2.5 million that year, and he'd been part of the Yankees farm system until he was released this season.

Reds' chase for international player comes full circle after failed Yankees' tenure

Vargas is now part of the Reds organization and will report to the Dayton Dragons. He was not in the Dragons' starting lineup on Tuesday night, but he'll likely be splitting time with some of the Reds' young infielders like Carlos Sanchez and Johnny Ascanio over the final few weeks of the 2025 season.

The 5-foot-11 Vargas is known for his plus-speed and above-average defense. He made it all the way to the Yankees' Double-A affiliate this season, but has never posted a wRC+ over 100 in a single minor-league season. The youngster doesn't strikeout much, but he also lacks any semblance of power. Though Vargas has seven home runs this season, his slugging percentage is sitting at a meager .351 on the year.

The Reds just lost a talented shortstop from A-Ball after trading Sammy Stafura to the Pittsburgh Pirates as part of the Ke'Bryan Hayes deal. Vargas is four years older than Stafura, but gives the organization even more shortstop depth in the minor leagues.

Some Reds fans would argue that Cincinnati has more than enough shortstops in their farm system — Edwin Arroyo, Ricky Cabrera, Tyson Lewis, Steele Hall, and Leo Balcazar — but one more can't hurt. It took longer than they've have liked, but the Reds were finally able to sign Vargas and didn't have to match his $2.5 million international signing bonus to do it.

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