Another day, another new sighting in the Reds’ clubhouse. Bobby Nightengale of the Cincinnati Enquirer tweets that veteran infielder/outfielder Brandon Drury has a locker with the Reds, signaling that the two parties have agreed to terms. Presumably, a deal with the Wasserman client will formally be announced once he passes a physical.
Drury, 29, spent the 2021 season with the Mets organization, appearing in 51 games at the big league level but primarily serving as a bench player. He logged just 88 plate appearances across those 51 contests and posted a strong .274/.307/.476 batting line with four homers and five doubles.
That was far and away Drury’s most productive showing in the past several seasons. The former 13th-round pick looked on his way to solidifying himself as a solid big league hitter with some defensive versatility back in 2016, when he hit .282/.329/.458 with 16 homers and 31 doubles in 499 plate appearances with the D-backs. He followed that with a solid enough .267/.317/.447 output in 2017, but Drury’s bat went dormant from 2018-20, when he mustered only a .205/.254/.346 triple slash through a combined 582 plate appearances.
Drury has played all over the diamond in the big leagues, although his most frequent positions have been second base (1264 innings) and third base (1082 innings). He’s also logged more than 400 innings in both outfield corners in addition to 139 innings at first base and 57 frames at shortstop.
The Reds are largely set at second base and third base, with reigning NL Rookie of the Year Jonathan India and veteran Mike Moustakas, respectively. Cincinnati also inked Donovan Solano to a one-year deal last week, and he can fill in at second, third and shortstop as needed. The outfield is a bit less certain following the trade of Jesse Winker, but the Reds still have Jake Fraley, Nick Senzel, Tyler Naquin, Shogo Akiyama and Aristides Aquino on the big league roster. That doesn’t leave a ton of room for Drury to win a roster spot — assuming this is a minor league deal, which seems likely — but injuries or further transactions could always open up playing time.
I swear these guys line up at the door of the Reds’ clubhouse to see who has a locker every day
To bad he couldn’t produce with the Yankees because I really wanted Judge and Drury to be a thing.
He hit well for the Mets; I was sorry to see him go. Former manger Rojas miss used Drury.
When Drury got hot Rojas killed his At Bats.
Yeah Rojas was extremely pitching and defense minded manager, but without offense
Your 100% right. Rojas would play Conforto who was batting under .200 then play Drury who was smoking hot for a 2 week stretch. Only used Drury as a pinch hitter 3 times a week after his hot stretch. Rojas was clueless
If Aaron’s the Judge then Brandon’s the Drury.
Cringe joke of the day award
Drury is not that bad. Especially with gold glove level defense at 3B. Still only 29. But for whatever reason he’s one of these guys they don’t let play
Yeah there’s holes in his offensive approach, but tons of guys have similar problems. Suarez hit .182 or something over 500+ at bats last year
Let Drury play!
Where? They have 746 corner infielders and 87 guys who can play 2nd.
Drury is a utility player at best. The defense is definitely there. Not sure he’ll hit enough to be a starter though. He’s worth a look.
It’s not really fair to discuss Drury without mention of his struggles with migraines and his hand injury. When he’s healthy he’s a good player.
If you’re signing with the Reds you’re going to keep getting migraines.
The fact that Drury can play the OF probably helps. Out of work players seem to pulling a “Willie ‘Mays’ Hayes” and just showing up to Reds camp and being given uniforms
Redox- yeah put Drury in the outfield with a hand injury and migraines. Maybe it’s time for him to retire? It’s time for the Reds to sell.
He’s healthy now. Why should a 29-year-old player retire?
Drury is underrated. Nice signing by the Cincy front office. Low risk/High Reward.
Thought there might be a reunion with the Snakes. It appears they might not man the 3rd base position this season.
They also have lefty TJ Friedl who looked good in a small sample last season.