The Reds officially announced their signing of right-hander Frankie Montas, with catcher Austin Wynns designated for assignment in a corresponding move.
Wynns, 33, was just signed by the Reds to a split deal a couple of weeks ago. He was added to the roster on a deal that will pay him a $950K salary for time spent in the majors and $300K in the minors. Given the nature of that deal and this quick transaction, it seems the club is hoping that Wynns will pass through waivers unclaimed and stick in the minors.
As a player with more than three years of MLB service time, Wynns has the right to reject an outright assignment and elect free agency. But since he has less than five years of service, exercising that right would mean leaving the remaining money on the table. Since he is set to get paid decent amount even in Triple-A, he may decide to stay. For reference, the recent collective bargaining agreement signed for minors leaguers included a minimum salary of $35,800 for Triple-A players, well south of what Wynns is set to make.
If all this comes to fruition, the Reds will have an experienced backstop providing them with depth in a non-roster capacity. Wynns has played 232 major league games, having hit .226/.273/.324 in 653 plate appearances. That translates to a wRC+ of just 61, but he’s generally regarded as a solid framer and defender, though stronger with his throwing than his blocking.
The Reds now have just two catchers on their 40-man roster in Tyler Stephenson and Luke Maile. If an injury should occur, perhaps Wynns will be first in line to step up and fill in, though the club also signed P.J. Higgins to a minor league deal.
It’s not a guarantee that Wynns will go unclaimed, however. Last year, the Orioles agreed to a split deal with outfielder Jake Cave and similarly tried to pass him through waivers, though the Phillies interrupted those plans by claiming him. If some other club likes the idea of Wynns at a salary barely above the league minimum, perhaps they will grab him. Wynns is out of options and can’t be sent to the minors without occupying a roster spot.
Guess they didn’t need a third catcher after all after just signing him.
Shaking my head at Po Boy once more.
He signed to a split contract. He’ll pass through waivers and go to AAA
Then they should have just signed him to a minor league deal.
Other teams could’ve been offering him MiLB, maybe it’s as simple as they really wanted Wynns in the organization and the only way they could get him was to offer a split contract to
Yes sir. Funny how some folks on here are scared of deductive reasoning skills.
Also catchers were a hot commodity at the beginning of offseason. Nearly every player who will sign a major league contract already has. Unlike any other position in free agency
And this is just a hunch, but I think they do need 3 catchers. I think they give Stevenson a chance to prove himself w his bat this year and he plays a lot more dh and 1st than catcher
I think that Wynns is going to be one of the AAA catchers after losing both of last year’s AAA catchers to minor league free agency. Absent a run of injuries, I don’t see Stevenson playing a ton at first base. Candelario and CES have 1B more than covered, and are better bats for DH. Of course, injuries will happen so the versatility of the roster will be a huge asset.
You seem to be profoundly malcontented. Your act of “Po Boy” is tiresome at best and baseball imbecile in the crosshairs. Your opinion is a irrevocable right, but why the incesant negative spin on the Reds. Perhaps you are a baseball savant replete with years of GM expertise [not spelled arm chair], if so please share your bonafides. Lastly, your monicker is a shocker to all those in Reds country who heard those same words said in glee by the Reds broadcast team of JN (RIP) and MB and the contrast you perpetually utter. Choices. Respectfully
M
Krall could trade a pimento cheese sandwich for Gerritt Cole and this person would be upset that we didn’t get Judge and Soto also.
Hillarious. If satire is a strength, Hercules quite likely should be fearful.
M
If you remember that broadcast team of Marty and Joe, you also remember an ownership group and a front office that was committed to winning. Why do you accept mediocrity now from the current ones?
This front office wouldn’t go out and trade for a Joe Morgan or a Tom Seaver type, and you all dang well know it.
Dang,
The game has significantly changed since the 1970s ( and I’m not limiting this to the convention of “ghost”runners”). The complexities of trade to include the myraid of actors intricately involve makes these exchanges more difficult. They can still occur but landing a Tom Seaver type is becoming less likely. On the other hand, clubs can improve in other ways. Pop quiz: name the most important move the Reds organization made thus far this off season (support your notion). Oh and bonus points if you identify the most important trade in the last three years. Look the club has undergone an epic paradigm shift… they’ve largely walked away from big splashy signings and sought to draft and develop talent internally. This club is much better compared to this same time one year ago. And the Reds are not alone in this strategy. Anyway all the best,
M
I’m curious why they signed him to a Major League Contract if he was going to be DFA’d anyway.
The Reds signed Wynns to a split contract, so they agreed to both a major league salary and a minor league salary. But they can’t assign Wynns to AAA outright. They can only assign him to AAA once he passes through waivers. Makes sense they’d want to do this now, to see whether or not he clears waivers.
I appreciate the clarification. This move makes a lot more sense now.
That was a quick Hook
WAAR
Wynns ain’t above replacement.
You Wynn some, you lose some.
You are prime beef comments.
The Wynns of WAR.
The question I have is why Jose Barrero is still on the 40 man roster.
The Marlins are in need of a short stop. Barrero to the Marlins for almost nothing in return, maybe a single A pitcher?
Still has some solid upside as a utility guy. Versatile, good speed, and hit quite well at AAA last season. Only 25 years old.
There are three shortstops in the big leagues who have also proved versatile and countless others in the minors. The team collects shortstops if you haven’t noticed.
I have certainly noticed, but it’s still not a bad thing to have a young, potentially solid utility guy who you can shuttle between AAA and the majors as needed. He was a top prospect not long ago, could still turn into a useful player.
You Wynns some, you lose some.
You do realize that you missed this comment by 18 minutes after MannyBeingMVP posted it? Probably just a coincidence.. or maybe not. Did you just add a “S” to Wynn to differentiate betwee the two? 😉
You Wynns some, you lose some
You do realize that you missed this comment by more then an hour after MannyBeingMVP posted it? Probably just a coincidence.. or maybe not. Did you just add a “S” to Wynn to differentiate betwee the two?
You do realize you posted duplicate comments while losing the “n” on between. You Wynns some, you lose’n.
Yes. That was the point.
Mix in a spell check next time when you make a half-hearted attempt at a point. Now like my message again.
You lost this one by 18 minutes
Just looked at Cave’s ’23. Can’t believe he only had 203 pa’s? For all the consternation he caused Philly fans (including me), would’ve thought he was in the 450 pa range?
Guy had a decent defensive season in 2023 but in general, he’s not a great offensive or defensive catcher so I don’t see why he’s was signed to a split contract.
He’s had some decent offensive years (for a catcher). He’s a bounce back candidate.
Uh Buck farmer will be next to get released! 2.5 mil down the drain! Someone please explain to me where this dude fits in the reds pen as is now? I don’t even see a spot for Frenchy with 2 lefties! Reds have a history of over signing resources like Moose and Akiyama then cry poor! We still don’t have a proven legit setup guy either for the Diaz! I like Martinez and Montas but we need a legit setup man especially if Antone has any issues. Don’t think Bell trusts Sims. Please enlighten me on Farmer??
Farmer is simple. There is no such thing as enough pitching. Solid pitcher, hopefully we sign more
He’s signed to a major league deal which means if he doesn’t make the squad he gets released and reds eat his 2.5 mil which could have gone towards Neris, Kimbrel… You get my point? Still don’t see how he makes the team unless there is an injury! Who does he beat out for a spot??
The current pitching staff looks something like Greene, Lodolo, Ashcraft, Abbott, and Montas as starters with Diaz, Sims, Pagan, Martinez, and Moll with the final two spots going to some combination of Farmer, Gibaut, Antone, and Cruz,,,,Farmer getting 2.5 million is nothing for an mlb contract so I am not sure why you are so concerned with the reds spending some of Bob’s money to see which guys stay healthy and win a job in the spring.
You forgot Young and of all those, Farmer is least likely to make it. I’m saying the 2.5 could have gone to better use. This is the same team that dismantled a playoff team two seasons ago! Dont forget what you’re dealing with in the reds owner. Additionally, if they do well a trade will need to be made and more payroll taken on this year. Yes, it’s silly to argue over a 2.5 mil sign but with this owner that does mean something! Could have been better spent on a player that will actually make the team!
Can Joey Votto catch his final year?
Depth, he will not be released unless he gets into the season and sucks. Small risk, in MLB terms. Many of the pitchers have options and will be shuffled back and forth. Injuries are not an if, they will happen. I would say you need 14-17 relievers and 7-8 starters. Farmer signing is just a small amount of proof reds are in it to win it.
This is a major league deal. There is no sending him up and down. He doesn’t make the team he gets released and the reds pay his salary while he pitches for another team in the minors or majors. I’m a little shocked how soon people forget what owner we are dealing with! Now he’s a saint?? Lol tiger don’t change its stripes!
Yes, Farmer is a very cheap depth option. The Reds had 40(!!!) pitchers who threw in MLB in 2023, including 17 starters. I’d rather have Farmer than somebody plucked off the Long Island ducks (Independent League) roster midseason.
How is he a depth option if he doesn’t make the opening day roster?
Chris Getz on line 2.
That’s pretty funny lol