How Cincinnati Reds landed their own version of Shohei Ohtani - sort of | Press Box Wag
The Cincinnati Reds not only got a switch-hitting, veteran corner infielder with pop when they landed free agent Jeimer Candelario last week, but they also got the righty-hitting outfielder many said they needed.
That’s because last season’s ultra-versatile rookie, Spencer Steer, now becomes a full-time outfielder going into 2024 and into what the Reds expect to be a window of playoff expectations.
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It’s not quite the two-way impact of, say, Shohei Ohtani.
But it’s certainly a two-for-one move with the chance to have an impact on manager David Bell’s flexibility and that provides quality depth for both an infield and outfield that needed it probably more than many assume.
Steer last season became the fourth player in Reds history to play at least 15 games at four different positions and the first in nearly two decades (Ryan Freel, 2004). Steer played 45 games, including 36 starts, in left field, which is where he’ll likely be on Opening Day.
Candelario, whose three-year, $45 million deal is expected to become official after Monday’s physical in Cincinnati, could start at third, second, first or DH, depending on the status of the rest of the infielders and the Washington Nationals starting pitcher in the opener.
Steer also becomes insurance against injuries to infielders, at first, second and third.
“You handle things the way your roster is built, and that’s the strength that our guys have,” Bell said a few days before the Reds and Candelario reached agreement. “We do have guys like Spencer Steer, who does not care where he plays; he just wants to be on the field. And I don’t really care where he plays, either, because he does a good job everywhere, and I just want him on the field.”
On second thought, it’s a lot like Ohtani.
Reds October?
A source close to Candelario said a big draw for him with Cincinnati was the chance to win, something he rarely had the chance to do in his big-league career, playing mostly with the Detroit Tigers and Washington Nationals.
That’s part of why he delayed his Reds decision until one of the other interested teams, the New York Yankees, finished its top-of-the-market pursuits. Once the Yankees landed lefty slugger Juan Soto in a trade late Wednesday and no longer had the same fit for Candelario, he was done waiting and agreed to terms with the Reds.
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The Nationals were very interested in bringing him back, too.
But when he looked at the Reds talent and 2024 intentions, it made the decision for him.
As recently signed free agent right-hander Nick Martinez described it, “This youthful team, man, is definitely going to keep me on my toes and give me some energy. It’s going to be a lot of fun. Who knows what this team can accomplish? This division is up for grabs, and we’ve got a lot of guys who are hungry. It’s going to be a dogfight.”
Now two guys who have one season of playoff experience between them just need to help make it happen.
The Big Number
87 million
Those are the dollars committed to major-league free agents by the Reds through Dec. 9 — more than the New York Mets ($16 million), Chicago Cubs (zip), Boston Red Sox (nada) and San Francisco Giants (bupkis). Combined.
The Reds’ biggest offseason in years already includes multiyear deals for Candelario ($45 million), Martinez (two, $26 million) and reliever Emilio Pagán (two, $16 million).
The Bigger Number
700 million
The dollars committed to Ohtani with the world-record deal he struck with the Dodgers over the weekend would have covered the Reds’ 25- and 26-man payrolls for the last seven years combined.
For the Last Time . . .
Jonathan India’s status with the Reds doesn’t change because of Candelario’s signing — no matter how many times pundits want to speculate.
Obviously, it provides incremental flexibility if they were to trade him to any of the large number of teams that have asked about the 2021 Rookie of the Year, but the Candelario deal was made with both players included in the Reds’ 2024 plans.
Team officials considered the infield an area of depth concerns despite the large number of young players who might seem penciled in to fewer positions than would-be starters.
Four of those young players don’t have even a full year in the majors, all having debuted last season – including after the All-Star break for both Christian Encarnacion-Strand and Noelvi Marte.
Candelario and India are the only members of the Reds’ projected 2024 infield who didn’t debut in 2024.
Infield Depth?
As for depth at Triple-A Louisville, there isn’t any.
Top infield prospect Edwin Arroyo reached Double-A late last season, and the Reds are still filling out their Triple-A infield with recent minor-league signings of Mark Mathias and Erik Gonzalez. They also added minor-league infielder Levi Jordan in the Rule 5 draft.
With designs on a playoff run in 2024, the Reds expect to keep India unless offered a trade they think exceeds his significant value to that effort.
“I know where I stand,” India said during Redsfest after recent conversations with the front office.
That Guy Looks Familiar
The Nationals’ loss of Candelario turned out to be Nick Senzel’s gain.
Almost immediately after Candelario chose the Reds, the Nats pivoted to the former Reds third baseman/center fielder to help fill their third base void.
Senzel, who was non-tendered by the Reds last month, got a one-year, $2 million deal.
The Nationals open the season March 28 at Great American Ball Park.
They Said It
“It was really hard for me to watch the playoffs because I know that should have been us. It definitely has fueled my focus more than anything.”
*Reds outfielder Will Benson, echoing a theme among players during Redsfest.
Sho Time
The Reds won’t have to wait long to get their fill of Shohei Ohtani near the top of a Dodgers lineup alongside Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman.
They get their first peek May 16 in Los Angeles — the first of seven games against the Dodgers in 11 days.
That stretch finishes with a weekend series in Cincinnati.
The last time the Reds faced Ohtani, he pitched against them Aug. 23 in Anaheim, leaving the mound with the elbow injury that required surgery and will keep him off the mound all of 2024.
He retired four of the Reds’ five batters until the injury. Steer was the last to reach base against Ohtani, drawing a leadoff walk in the second during the 9-4 Reds win.
Glove Story
For those who might wonder about the wisdom of making Steer a full-time outfielder at his second- or third-best defensive position, look no further than across the NL Central for the blueprint.
And the best-case scenario.
University of Cincinnati product Ian Happ was one of the Cubs’ most versatile players, an infielder-outfielder who was not necessarily great at any one position, when infielder Nico Hoerner’s arrival pushed Happ to left field full-time.
Forced to work at one position every day, Happ became proficient enough to become part of the Cubs’ long-term outfield plans and signed a multi-year extension.
And won the past two National League Gold Gloves in left field.
Just sayin’.
Did You Know?
At 30, Candelario is the Reds' oldest infielder.
He’s one of only three players in their 30s among the hitters on the Reds’ projected opening roster (also Nick Martini, 33, and Luke Maile, 32).
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: How the Cincinnati Reds filled 2 needs with 1 player | Press Box Wag
