John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer tweets the results of Aaron Miles and Wladimir Balentien being designated for assignment by the Reds. Both players cleared waivers. Miles was released, while Balentien was outrighted to Triple A.
Miles joins the free agent ranks; he'll likely be signed for $400K with the Reds paying the remaining $2.3MM on his contract. The 33-year-old infielder hit .185/.224/.242 in 170 plate appearances for the Cubs last year, battling shoulder and elbow injuries. He was acquired twice during the offseason - by the A's to help facilitate their acquisition of Jake Fox, and by the Reds as a way of dumping the inferior contract of Willy Taveras.
Balentien, a 25-year-old outfielder, hit .234/.305/.385 in 295 plate appearances for the Mariners and Reds last year. He's flashed big power at various minor league stops and was a well-regarded prospect as recently as 2008.
Wow. This is great news for the Reds. I didn’t expect him to clear. I have a feeling that we will see him back in Cincy by the end of the year. He will be behind Heisey who is on the 40 man at AAA, but the reds showed last year with McDonald that they will be willing to bring a guy back around. This gives the Reds a lot of capable depth in the OF in Louisville (also only makes the offense better, which on paper is already unbelievable).
I wonder why Washington didn’t make a claim on him?
Let the bidding war on Aaron Miles begin!
If Aaron Miles finds a team I’ll be surprised. It seems all the teams are all set on infielders and besides that Miles has grown into an old man who is not a good hitter and an average fielder at best at age 33.