4:18pm: It is indeed a minor league deal, per Mark Sheldon of MLB.com, with an invitation to camp.
1:00pm: Infielder Erik González has signed with the Reds, per Jon Heyman of The New York Post. There are no details but it’s presumably a minor league deal.
González, now 32, signed a minors deal with the White Sox last offseason. He spent the 2023 season playing for Triple-A Charlotte, getting into 131 games for that club. He hit .272/.322/.360 in that time for a wRC+ of 72 while playing second base, third base and shortstop.
Though he didn’t get called up to the big leagues at any point in 2023, he has 352 games of major league experience. He served part-time roles in each season from 2016 to 2022, suiting up with Cleveland, Pittsburgh and Miami. He hasn’t hit much in that time, with a career batting line of just .242/.276/.340 but he’s been a solid glove-first utility option. He’s received strong marks for his defense at all four infield positions and has even played the outfield on occasion.
The Reds are already loaded with young infielders, as some combination of Matt McLain, Elly De La Cruz, Noelvi Marté, Spencer Steer, Jonathan India and Christian Encarnacion-Strand will be looking for regular playing time while Jose Barrero will likely be in line for a bench role. But injuries are inevitable over a long season and you never know when depth will be needed. The Reds also added Mark Mathias on a minor league deal earlier today and Gonzalez joins him as a non-roster depth option.
Fire Krall
Why???
Mauired
They need infielders for AAA
TheMan 3
It’s strike out or bust with Gonzalez and if the Reds were desperate for infielders, why did they let Newman go!
Dog-Faced Gremlin
They’re clearly not “desperate” for infielders. This is simply for minor league depth in the case of injuries. It happens every year with all teams.
TheMan 3
Then why didn’t they sign Kevin Newman who is a far better player than Gonzalez?
dhud
Probably about $3mil reasons why.
animedad
Well there goes the Mariners big free agent splash
Bnickles127
So true
davidk1979
Worst winter meetings ever
HALfromVA
Bally’s has several teams by the financial Balleez, so to speak.
Wire to wire 2024
Explain it like I’m five
octavian8
Relax, long way to go. Free agents take their time holding out for the best deal. Once log jam breaks dominoes will start to fall.
vaderzim
He did hit an opposite field Grand Slam in Cincinnati once… so maybe that was influential on Cincy’s decision here.
Fire Krall
yeah 1 AB…STHU!
vaderzim
Your STHU proves that your IQ is in the single digits, since you are incapable of understanding sarcasm. Take your pent up rage and channel it towards what is really making you angry.
SufferingRedsFan
It’s a minor league contract… people lose their minds over the dumbest things. This guy will be the late inning replacement during spring training and then straight off to Louisville, where he’ll likely be a spot starter/utility guy. If the reds are hit with a wave of injuries he’s the option to call up rather than an actual prospect so you can use his services for a week or two then DFA him to clear the roster spot. Jesus…. Chill out
DBH1969
Another analytical department wet dream, no doubt HOF bound infielder who can’t hit off the market. What will other teams do now?
Catuli Carl
Erik González
solaris602
I can’t believe he’s 32 already. Seems like yesterday I was watching him in Columbus before he was called up to CLE, but that would have been like 2013 or 2014. Time does fly.
spudchukar
Strange! They already have an infieldie glut and said earlier today they were going to hang on to India. I know AAA need players too and Gonzalez is no chump but still seems unnecessary.
spudchukar
infield
This one belongs to the Reds
Just what they need, another infielder.
And you wonder why I say he knows nothing about team building….
dhud
It’s a minor league depth signing dude
Has 0.01% to do with the major league plan
PiratesPundit51
The Reds seem to love former Pirates’ utility guys – Gonzalez and Matthias, not to mention giving them a good bullpen arm last season for Kevin Newman. I’m sure the Pirates would give them Alika Williams for Daniel Duarte if the Reds need a few more Pirates’ utility guys.
alwaysgo4two
Why are the Reds picking up more IF castoffs? Isn’t that what they’re heavy on?
Fire Krall
why sign there…no way to back to the show
cguy
If nothing else these minor league depth signings are bringing Krall and Reds a lot of press- during a quiet Winter meetings.
Wire to wire 2024
This is not the reds news we’re looking for
Here’s the pitch
Likely minor league filler but maybe the signings of Mathias and Gonzalez means there isn’t an infield glut, eg., pending trade.
This one belongs to the Reds
A guy who played in the bigs, unlike any of us.
Steve Roberts
I’m saying arroyo gets traded for a starting pitcher why this signing.
Birdieman2
Most inconsequential winter meetings ever so far.