Jose Iglesias has been an effective pickup at a low price for the Reds, who inked the former Boston and Detroit shortstop to a minor league contract last winter. Although he had to settle for a non-guaranteed deal, Iglesias earned a spot on the Reds’ roster and a $2.5MM salary coming into the season. The 29-year-old has since turned into a starter for Cincinnati, where he has batted .290/.321/.417 with a career-high eight home runs in 390 plate appearances.
It’s possible the slick-fielding Iglesias’ output this year will be enough to convince a team to sign him to a major league pact prior to next season. Whether or not that happens, Iglesias would like to stay in Cincy, he explained to Mark Sheldon of MLB.com.
“We haven’t gotten deep into that conversation yet. It’s going to happen soon, I guess,” Iglesias said. “Man, I love this group. That’s all I can say. This is where I belong. I don’t know, it’s totally out of my hands after that. I’ve enjoyed every single day I’ve come to the ballpark and leading by example, helping the younger players, and I’m very, very happy to be here.”
The Reds are also open to continuing their relationship with Iglesias, with president of baseball operations Dick Williams telling Sheldon that the club “could have any combination of (Jose) Peraza, (Freddy) Galvis and Iglesias on the team next year. None currently have guaranteed contracts, but we have interest in all of them as well as control over some of them, and we’ll evaluate how the pieces best fit together.”
Peraza, Galvis and Iglesias are currently part of a Reds middle infield mix that also includes Josh VanMeter, Kyle Farmer and the injured Derek Dietrich. Among Peraza, Galvis and Iglesias, the former has posted the least productive 2019. After racking up encouraging numbers last year, Peraza has only hit .241/.287/.355 in 321 trips to the plate this season. He’s on a $2.775MM salary and controllable via arbitration two more times. Galvis, just claimed from the Blue Jays on waivers this week, has a $5.5MM club option (or a $1MM buyout) for 2020. This has been a respectable campaign for the 29-year-old switch-hitter, owner of a .274/.305/.456 slash with 19 homers over 479 PA.
With everyone from the above group looking like candidates to return next season, the Reds once again appear as if they’ll have no shortage of in-house middle infield choices. However, Cincinnati could nonetheless seek higher-upside possibilities than Iglesias and the rest during the winter, when Williams and general manager Nick Krall figure to make an earnest attempt to construct a playoff-caliber roster. The Reds (56-63) have made obvious strides this year, but they’re still on pace for their sixth straight sub-.500 season, leaving room for improvement in their middle infield and elsewhere.
It’s quite amazing the transformation of Kyle Farmer. The dude was a chubby Catcher who can play a little bit of third while in the dodgers organization. He’s slimmed down considerably, and improved his athleticism exponentially, as he can now play pretty much every infield position. Props to him.
As for Iglesias, it’s hard for me to be on the side of keeping him when they should be allocating money towards pitching. However, they could keep him and trade away some of their offensive depth for pitching. I would bet one of Iglesias/Galvis will be on the squad next year, and the other is gone.
“As for Iglesias, it’s hard for me to be on the side of keeping him when they should be allocating money towards pitching.”
What pitching is out there to be had this upcoming FA season that resigning Iglesias will keep them away from?
I don’t really see too much talent heading out there.
Cole, Odorizzi, Hamels, Bumgarner, Betances, Chapman. Just to name a few
Cole will demand top dollar. I think they need bullpen help more than anything. That’s a pretty solid rotation. Hamels or odorizzi maybe on 1 year deals but idk. They will be tough with some bullpen pieces
Hamels and Odorizzi ain’t getting 1 year deals bud
You might get hamels for 2 years. Odorizzi is going to be at least three. Market is super thin.
Freddy was a great pick up for nothing all he is really doing is replacing scooter like andrew said i would love to have freddy at 2nd and iggy at short next year hughes is all but gone we need some some arms in the pen
I would like to see them keep Iglesias and Galvis next season. They’ve both had good years and seems like it should be sustainable with their past history. Biggest needs are in the bullpen for sure.
Jose just wants a place to call home
I love Jose Iglesias. He is a fine hitter and a terrific fielder. That’s all you ever really need in a SS.
If it were up to me, Peraza would be a trade chip. He’s had opportunities to be the guy and hasn’t seized the opportunity.
I get that…he’s still just 25…the punisher is 25 and just now cracking the big leagues.
I think this makes Suárez a bigger trading chip.
They have to keep Suarez. He’s a monster.
…and he’s on an unbelievably good contract.
Suarez is untouchable.
Agreed. Suarez is going nowhere.
Third base is also a very deep position right now.
His bat was a black hole for 2.5 years prior to 2019. Buyer beware
Always liked Iggy in Detroit. He could make the hardest plays look easy…then sometimes blow a routine throw to 1st. Nevertheless, when dialed in I thought he was good a SS as there was in MLB. He also has a sneaky good bat. Sadly, Tigers couldn’t afford what he would’ve gotten in arbitration last year after some of the dreadful contracts they had doled out to Zim and Miggy. Still think Iggy has several good years to go. Someone will sign him.
I’m hoping they bring Iggy back, and pick up the option on Galvis. I think I saw the other day that Iggy is setting .293 with runners in scoring position, that’s big for a club that’s struggled offensively. I also think they should bring #66 back and plug him into one of the corner outfield spots. Him, Senzel and Aqunio makes for a pretty solid OF. They’re also going to have some interesting trade chips to work with…possibly Winker, Ervin, Peraza…
Titanic, I’m with you on Iggy and Galvis: bring them back. However, I’m in the “Let the Kids Play” camp for the OF. Between Winker, Senzel, Ervin, and Aquino you have 3 starting OFrs, all with upside, all on min. contracts. I agreed with you on Puig a couple of months ago, now I’d rather use those $ elsewhere (another quality starter and a couple of quality BP arms).
Gotta wear shades.
If you can get him for under $5M then sure…but if not then get a power hitter.
It would be a serious step back having a roster without J-Iglesias based on the current players in the org. Sign him if reasonable. Time for Peraza to be moved.