The Cincinnati Reds made an important splash in free agency in recent hours.
Late on Wednesday night, MLB insider Jeff Passan reported that the Reds had signed infielder Jeimer Candelario to a multi-year deal.
It’s nice to see the Reds spending money to be better and give themselves a chance to win.
However, it’s puzzling to see them add another infielder when they had Jonathan India, Christian Encarnacion-Strand, Matt McLain, Elly De La Cruz, Noelvi Marte, and Spencer Steer.
With Candelario, there would be seven starting-caliber infielders on the Reds roster.
The team appears committed to playing Steer in left field, but there is still a logjam.
Could the Reds be preparing to trade India for pitching?
It would make a lot of sense.
If they can’t clear the logjam, they will enter the 2024 season with a lot of quality depth which is not necessarily a bad thing.
Candelario hit 22 home runs and 39 doubles with a .807 OPS last season and makes for a fine addition to the lineup.
The Reds’ good offseason continues, as they have brought in starter Nick Martinez, reliever Emilio Pagan, and now Candelario.
They came very close to making the postseason last year and could be a move or two from positioning themselves for a playoff run in 2024.