Reds News: Cincy re-signs utility player, new addition speaks on Terry Francona

The Cincinnati Reds quietly checked two important boxes this week — one focused on organizational depth, the other on a clear Major League need — with moves that underscore how this front office is building out the margins of the roster.

Cincinnati re-signed utility man P.J. Higgins to a minor-league contract, according to the club’s transaction log. The 32-year-old become a familiar presence in the Reds’ organization over the last two seasons, serving as a steady, versatile option at Triple-A Louisville. In 2025, he appeared in 111 games for the Bats, hitting .240/.300/.345 with 24 extra-base hits while bouncing all over the diamond.

The versatility is the selling point here. Higgins logged time at first base (29 games), third base (22 games) and catcher (66 games), giving the Reds a plug-and-play option who can absorb innings, cover injuries, and help stabilize a Triple-A roster that routinely feeds the big-league club.

While Higgins isn’t pushing for everyday major-league at-bats, his value is clear: depth that doesn’t disrupt development plans. For an organization that leaned heavily on its pipeline the last two seasons, keeping reliable, experienced insurance like Higgins around remains a smart, low-risk move.

Reds News: Caleb Ferguson is a strategic upgrade for Cincinnati bullpen under Terry Francona

The more impactful news came earlier this week, when the Reds landed left-handed reliever Caleb Ferguson on a one-year, $4.5 million deal.

Ferguson, an Ohio native born in Columbus, brings both experience and dependability to a bullpen that needed another trusted lefty. Splitting the 2025 season between the Pittsburgh Pirates and Seattle Mariners, he posted a 5-4 record with a 3.58 ERA across a career-high 70 appearances. Over seven MLB seasons, Ferguson owns a solid 3.66 ERA and 1.27 WHIP — production that plays well in leverage spots.

But performance wasn’t the only factor in Ferguson's decision to come to Cincinnati. When speaking with local media, the southpaw pointed directly to manager Terry Francona as a driving reason behind his signing with the Reds.

“I have heard from him," Ferguson said of Francona. "He was very, very excited. He told me it was a need on his roster last year, so he’s very excited that it’s filled for him.”

That quote says a lot. Francona identified a weakness, pushed for a solution, and the front office delivered — exactly the type of alignment the Reds hoped for when they brought in the veteran skipper. For Ferguson, it’s a chance to pitch for a respected manager in his home state. For the Reds, it’s a proven arm who should immediately slot into meaningful late-inning situations.

Neither signing will dominate headlines, but together the additions of Higgins and Ferguson reflect a front office working with purpose in Cincinnati. Higgins reinforces organizational stability. Ferguson directly addresses a Major League need — and does so with Francona’s endorsement.

As the Reds continue shaping a roster built to contend while still developing young talent, these are the kinds of moves that quietly matter over the course of a long season.