The Reds are in agreement with veteran infielder Cliff Pennington on a minor league contract that would pay him a $1.5MM base salary in the Majors, reports ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick (via Twitter). He’ll be in camp as a non-roster invitee this spring. Pennington is represented by Sosnick, Cobbe & Karon.
The 33-year-old Pennington spent the past two seasons with the Angels, where he batted a combined .232/.287/.320 through 405 plate appearances. Offense has never been a calling card for Pennington, a switch-hitter with a career .243/.310/.341 hitter through 3108 plate appearances, spanning 10 seasons. But, he’s a versatile defender capable of providing average or better glovework at shortstop, second base and third base, which makes him a nice utility option to have on hand — particularly for a Reds team that has yet to see Jose Peraza establish himself as a big leaguer.
Really need a backup SS to Jose.
If Jose gets hurt, no one really ready to take over on a daily basis.
Alex Blandino or Nick Senzel would likely be the regular SS if Peraza gets injured.
Alex is defiantly an option.
There is no noise from the Reds on Nick playing short, and I do not expect them to call him up until late May or early June.
Interestingly, there was an article today, just hours after that post, saying Senzel will spend the vast majority of the spring at SS and 2B. I bet if he hits well he could be up as soon as the Reds get the extra year of control
Senzel would not be an option at Shortstop and will not even be a consideration
Senzel is already practicing at SS amongst other positions
Would most definitely be a consideration
Senzel was asked during a Reds Caravan event where he’d like to play everyday and he answered “Shortstop”.
Most scouts agree Blandino cannot handle the position on a regular basis
When Senzel is ready I’d like to see Peraza backing up second and Suarez at SS if he can play it
Surprised he couldn’t get a major league deal as a utility infielder. There are far worse ones than him currently on major league rosters.
Agreed. I feel the Braves made sense for him.
maybe he can pitch for them
The Padres still need a veteran UTL infielder who can fill in for Galvis from time to time and bounce around to spell 2B/3B, Pennington would have been a nice fit.
Now it looks as if JJ Hardy is the best SS backup option left. Yunel Escobar is still available but I’m not sure if he can still handle SS know he has been playing 3B/2B the last couple years for the Halos.
He’s a pretty good fill in guy I remember last year he hit a grand slam to win a game for the Angels !!!
Didn’t even know this dude still played.
Won’t make the roster, if Senzel shows he can indeed play SS, he’ll be up by May. Until then Blandino will be the backup.
Peraza hasn’t shown patience at the plate. I hope he gets it before he’s passed up