If I had a $50 invoice for each time I’ve seen that the Cincinnati Reds confirmed curiosity in a participant through commerce or free company however couldn’t land that participant as a result of “it prices an excessive amount of” in both cash, years, each, or prospects, I might not have any debt. Heck, I would even be capable to retire and never work anymore. Oh, to dwell that dream. Infielder Gleyber Torres just lately signed with the Detroit Tigers on a 1-year, $15,000,000 deal. The Reds, based on Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press, had proven curiosity in Torres.
The curiosity proven by the membership for one more infielder is fascinating. Torres, who has spent his total massive league profession with the New York Yankees, has solely performed shortstop and second base in his profession, with all however six video games within the final three seasons being at second.
The Reds, as you certainly know, already appear to have too many infielders and that’s even once we take into account that the workforce has the designated hitter possibility now. It’s one of many causes that they felt ok to commerce away Jonathan India in the beginning of the offseason – they didn’t have wherever for him to play day by day if everybody was wholesome.
Second base, presumably, goes to be Matt McLain’s place. Perhaps he strikes to 3rd base if the workforce had been to have introduced in Torres. However that implies that some mixture of Noelvi Marte and Jeimer Candelario had been going to be enjoying elsewhere. Marte, after what occurred final season, in all probability must have an unlimited spring to be given a beginning spot anyhow and certain may use a while in Triple-A to show he belongs again within the massive leagues. Candelario can play first base and be the designated hitter at instances, however that implies that Christian Encarnacion-Strand can also be shifting into some form of not-playing-daily form of function. His 2024 season was poor, and it barely lasted a month, and he was doubtless enjoying whereas injured – however he entered the 12 months as part of the longer term plans for the membership and was the for-sure first baseman.
If the Reds had some curiosity in Torres, then they clearly don’t appear to have a lot religion in any of their infielders aside from Elly De La Cruz and perhaps Matt McLain. And whereas that may be comprehensible for a number of causes, infield is hardly the largest weak spot on the membership. It could be one factor if Torres had been an absolute stud of a hitter. However he’s not. That’s to not say he’s a nasty hitter – in 2024 he was primarily league common as he posted a 101 OPS+ (which is OPS adjusted for ballparks performed in the place 100 is common). The 2 earlier seasons he was at 113 and 118. These are good numbers, however not difference-maker caliber numbers, both.
All of that mentioned, Torres in all probability would have strengthened the workforce total. For one purpose or one other it didn’t work out. Perhaps Torres most popular to play in Detroit, although on a 1-year deal the Reds completely must be attempting to promote Nice American Ball Park to all hitters as a strategy to “rebound and money in”. What appears extra doubtless is that Cincinnati merely wasn’t keen to spend the cash. Which appears unusual on condition that he signed for much less in each phrases of years and {dollars} per 12 months than was projected by MLB Commerce Rumors. For those who weren’t keen to be form of in that vary, what’s the purpose of displaying curiosity?
In markets the place provides are restricted, typically you’ll be able to’t be rational about spending. Overpriced, not value it, and many others….. that doesn’t actually exist in sports activities as a result of you’ll be able to’t simply wait till subsequent week till the brand new inventory is available in for the very same factor. Being rational about “paying market worth” normally means you proceed purchasing available on the market and wind up with one thing much less priceless in manufacturing than you had been looking for. Positive, perhaps it value much less, however they don’t allow you to cling banners celebrating how little cash you spent, you get to hold banners for successful extra video games than everybody else.
