5:13pm: Cincinnati has officially announced both deals. As expected, Farmer is in camp on a minor league contract as a non-roster invitee.
2:45pm: The Reds have signed infielder Donovan Solano to a contract worth $4.5MM, per Jon Heyman of MLB Network. It was previously reported by various reporters, including C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic, that Solano had a locker in the Reds’ spring clubhouse, along with right-hander Buck Farmer.
Solano, 34, spent many years as a classic journeyman, bouncing from the Cardinals to the Marlins, Yankees and Dodgers, playing 370 MLB games from 2012 to 2018. Prior to the 2019 season, he signed a minor league deal with the Giants and has quietly had an excellent showing for San Fran over the past three campaigns. In that time, he’s gotten 775 plate appearances and hit .308/.354/.435, for a wRC+ of 114. He mostly slotted in at second base but also saw some time at third base and shortstop for the Giants.
The Reds don’t really need help at the keystone as they have Jonathan India, last year’s National League Rookie of the Year, slotted in there. Third base is a bit more open, however, in the wake of this week’s trade of Eugenio Suarez. The club could use Mike Moustakas as their everyday third baseman but he dealt with multiple injuries last year and only got into 62 games. Now that National League teams are able to use the designated hitter, Moustakas could be a good candidate for slotting into the DH role. There’s also the possibility of a platoon, as Moustakas hits from the left and Solano from the right. Solano’s career spits aren’t drastic, but he did put up a wRC+ of 121 against lefties last year, compared to just 96 against righties.
As for Farmer, the 31-year-old has spent his entire big league career up until now with the Tigers, who drafted him in 2013. Over the past seven seasons, he has appeared in 241 games, mostly as a reliever, throwing 320 2/3 innings with a 5.33 ERA, 20.3% strikeout rate and 10.6% walk rate.
The club released him in August, at which point Farmer signed a minor league deal with the Rangers but never cracked their big league roster. Presumably, his deal with the Reds is a minor league deal as well.
TF4L
Solano is a good pickup. Should be able to flip him easily at the deadline.
Gothamcityriddler
The Reds are hoping Soloano can play 2nd, short & 3rd …all at the same time to save them some dough. Ahahahaha!
BUCKCINCY73D
Hell Minor , Solano and Buck. WS here we come lol
SFBay314
Giants shouldn’t have let him walk, screwed him on Arbitration last year. At least the Reds are doing something right.
giantsphan12
Good luck in your future play with the Reds, and life in general, Donny Barrels. You were a great Giant and well loved by many fans here in SF!
VANTABLACK
Solano was an error machine and at the worst possible times. I’m relieved to see him go. His average was good, but it didn’t sustain so many failed clutch moments and low IQ plays.
Rsox
Solano at 2B, India to 3B, Moustakas DH?
Player to be named in the future 2
Buck Farmer great guitar player for Blue Oyster Cult
paddyo furnichuh
If they’re in Ohio, maybe Farmer Boys can be a sponsor now that Reds have Buck and Kyle.
greatgame 2
Farmer with the 5.33 ERA? Why??
Rsox
Can they at least put Kyle Farmer behind the plate when Buck pitches? They can have a Farmer Boys battery…
differentbears
Farmers only dot com, Reds battery tracker.
Pete'sView
Solano is a very smart hitter and can rake. This is one of the (very) few Reds moves that makes ANY sense.
crazybaseballgal
I watched him with the Giants. Agree that it’s a smart move for the Reds
AAChapel
For many years now, Colombian DONOVAN SOLANO has been one of the most underrated players in MLB. This guy is a real pure-hitter . but it’s really behind comprehension why he has never been awarded a well-deserved better deal
bubba3b
thanks “Donnie Barrels”. hope Giants can sub with a strong bat from the right side…
differentbears
I have zero recall of Donovan Solano in Dodger blue, but it might because of the total recall of his seemingly HOF-level hitting against LA of late. Glad to see him leave the NL West.
HalosHeavenJJ
Solano is a really nice player.
George Ruth
Solano was with the Dodger Organization for the 2018 season but never played a game for them
crazybaseballgal
But he was great for the Giants
differentbears
Thanks Babe.
Tiger22matt
A 34 year old infielder and 2 pitchers that have eras above 5.5. What a way to spend the savings of some of the money.#selltheteambob.
FromTheCheapSeats
For real. Smdh.
warnbeeb
This Tiger fan always liked Farmer Buck. Good luck to him. Always took the ball. Never backed down. Started some. Mostly relieved. Always firing.
bravesfan
Would have liked seeing the Braves being home buck … hometown kids always fun to have on the hometown team
angt222
Nice deal for Solano. Glad to see he landed on his feet somewhere.
crazybaseballgal
I really like Solano. Good add
cguy
Reds locker room in Goodyear must be like playing musical chairs.
davemlaw
Love Donnie Barrels! Reds are getting a good player who should easily hit 20+ bombs in that ballpark. He’s going to get traded in July so enjoy him in Cincy while you can.
Texas Outlaw
Buck Farmer sounds like an x-rated movie star.
lady1959
Lol didn’t see your comment before posting. ⚾️
dsett75
So glad Farmer isn’t a Tiger anymore!
ThonolansGhost
Agreed.