Reds offseason starts early after midseason pickup bolts for free agency

It comes as little surprise that Connor Joe, a midseason pickup by the Cincinnati Reds this year, has opted to test the free agency waters. After all, his time in Cincinnati will likely not be remembered fondly by him or the fans. But Joe’s middling year and hasty departure can serve as a reminder of the dangers of quick fix transactions.

The Reds traded for Joe in early May in the wake of Tyler Callihan’s gruesome season-ending injury. Although Joe had historically been a serviceable fourth outfielder and first-base option, he had been on a downward slide and had spent most of the early season with the Padres’ Triple-A affiliate.

Sure, players can find a second life in a new environment, but for a journeyman like Joe, you don’t often see a mid-career rebound. Still, the Reds didn’t need him to be great; they just needed him to be fine.

Reds utility player Connor Joe jumped at the chance at free agency, surprising no one

Unfortunately, Joe wasn’t fine. He was detrimental to the play on the field. In 35 games with the Reds, Joe posted a .213/.286/.279 line. He had a -7 batting run value, a -2 baserunning run value, and a -2 fielding run value. In other words, he actively cost the Reds in all areas of the game. 

Sadly for Joe (and the Reds), some of these results came from bad luck. Joe rarely chased bad pitches and frequently found the sweet spot of the bat. His expected slugging percentage (.334) was significantly higher than his actual rate (.243), and somehow, despite his patient approach, he wound up with the lowest walk rate of his career.

Even if Joe had come closer to actualizing his expected rates, his production would not have been enough for a team making a postseason push. He was splitting time with Garrett Hampson, who ended up hitting an appalling .143 this season. When the Reds DFA’d Joe in advance of September call-ups, no team picked him up, which could mean few saw him as a player that could have an immediate impact at the season’s most important juncture.

Joe will likely find a home for next season. He’s going to be a low-cost, perhaps even Minor League contract, player who can fill multiple positions. Joe has a compelling story and could capture fans’ hearts as an underdog. But as the Reds aim to build on their 2025 success, Joe and the team know he just doesn’t fit into the picture.

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