The Reds are among the teams with interest in free-agent utilityman Brock Holt, per Bobby Nightengale of the Cincinnati Enquirer. The report comes just one day after Cincinnati president of baseball operations Dick Williams indicated that his club may not yet be done adding pieces prior to the season.
The 31-year-old Holt landed on MLBTR’s Top 50 free agents heading into the offseason after putting together a solid campaign in the last season of a seven-year run with the Red Sox. An eye injury (scratched cornea) kept Holt off the field for several weeks early in the season, but he returned to post a quality .297/.369/.402 slash through 295 trips to the plate. That output aligned closely with what Holt managed to produce a year prior, and his combined .286/.366/.407 slash in 662 plate appearances dating back to 2018 marked a decidedly above-average output.
Holt’s strong showing of late is all the more valuable when factoring in his defensive versatility. He’s been primarily a second baseman over the past two seasons (914 innings) but has also seen time at third base (57 innings), shortstop (186 innings), first base (61 innings), left field (50 innings) and right field (107 innings). Holt has brief experience in center field as well but hasn’t lined up there since 2015. Not only is he versatile, but Holt has racked up +9 Outs Above Average playing around the infield over the past two seasons, per Statcast.
For the Reds, it’s unlikely that Holt would be viewed as a starter at any one position, but he’d give them a nice backup option for any of Joey Votto, Mike Moustakas, Freddy Galvis or Eugenio Suarez. His ability to play virtually any position on the diamond is all the more appealing to an NL skipper who’ll be making frequent double-switches, too. And Holt provides a particularly nice safety net in the event of an injury to Suarez; in an extended absence for Cincinnati’s excellent third baseman, Moustakas could slide over to his natural position at the hot corner with Holt stepping in for regular reps at his own best position, second base.
From a payroll vantage point, the Reds could surely work what would figure to be a modest salary for Holt into the mix. Cincinnati is currently projected to open the year at roughly $128MM, per Roster Resource’s Jason Martinez, with only $148MM in luxury obligations. That’s only marginally higher than the roughly $126.5MM payroll with which they opened the 2018 season, and ownership has shown increased aggression and a willingness to move payroll forward.
It’s been a relatively quiet winter with regards to Holt and the rumor circuit, although with most of the top options now off the free-agent market, several clubs should have interest in bolstering their infield mix with a player who boasts this level of versatility.
Stay away from our Brockstar
He’s a hard nosed player and I always loved his nick name. I know RS nation absolutely loves the guy and I expect to see him back with them.
He’s not coming back. Jose Peraza is his replacement.
The adoration for this average at best ballplayer from Red Sox fans is on the verge of unbelievable….and you’re right, they’ve got his replacement and he’s much cheaper, just as versatile, and probably will post the same offensive and defensive numbers.
Every post screams that Red Sox Nation is in denial over this guy.
Nah, longtime Red Sox fan here. This guy plays hard but is overrated. Bye Brock.
At this point and time he’s much more accomplished than peraza which means your team downgraded
Maybe, but hes going to get paid too much to do what he does. I agree with the Sox and will let someone else do it.
If we don’t want to win, then Peraza is fine. No disrespect meant and I understand it appears Sox fans should be contributing towards a Brockstar statue to add to Fenway’s entrance, but it’s obvious he’s worth more to the organization than elsewhere and short of Peraza having a year like a certain surprise 3Bman had in NY last year, Bloom’s first decision might come back to haunt him. Fans appreciation for his hard work can’t be underestimated.
95% of
Players “work hard” but don’t get this ridiculous head patting because they aren’t 5’7 white dudes
Any BoSox fan who thinks Peraza is their answer has no clue. He spent half a season every year trying to figure out why he’s there.
The entire Red Sox organization is downgraded.
If 95% worked hard, than why are they not super-utility? Never heard one bad thong about Brock and also he has an All Star appearance on his resume which 95% cant say. Stay in your lane and dont put short white guys in a bubble.
Much cheaper? He contract was 3 million….Brock made 250k more I believe last year? I’d rather have Brock knowing what I have on and off the field.
Sox lifer here, I’ve already come to terms with Brock changing addresses. Thanks for everything, good luck. He’s a luxury on a winning team but for a .500 squad he can easily be replaced for a fraction of the cost ie peraza , who people forget has significant upside and is 6 years younger and doesn’t bathe in aqua Velva [reportedly]
I remember Aqua Velva from 1962, and it smell like chicken s*hit.
Have feeling Peraza is going to be really good on that team. A bunch of young stud infielders that will make him better
I have a feeling he won’t be. Peraza played a bunch of different positions but was below average at all of them. Made a bunch of routine errors. At the plate he looks lost and a lot of his hits were literally bloop singles over the first basemen’s head. To be honest, it appeared that he was playing scared in Cincy for multiple seasons. Put it this way… the Reds picked up José Iglesias very late in the offseason last year and as soon as Iglesias got his shot to play, Peraza never saw SS again. Then the Reds went and got Galvis because Peraza at 25 years old was not even a promising utility option. The year before the same exact thing happened with him at 2b (with Scooter taking his spot). Then the Reds last year would put Lorenzen, a pitcher, in the outfield (and have him pinch hit for that matter) during late innings as opposed to Peraza. So… there’s your guy that is going to be really good.
This is a lousy year for free agents when people are excited about Brock Holt. Lol
STEVE HOLT!
This is a lousy year for free agents when people are excited about Brock Holt. Lol
Toronto makes sense as he can back up all their young IF, and easily find playing time on that team and he stays in the AL East
I hate to see him go. Has great instincts. He is a very good player but may never get a chance to play every day. Can’t blame him for taking advantage of free agency. Just sad if he goes WKRP.
Brock Holt is the real Blake Swihart if you know what I mean.
He’d be a pretty decent pickup for them. He’s a good fit for any team that needs a solid utility guy.
Time for Holt to Bolt…you guys got your new “bullfrog” (Peraza) and now it’s time to get ours! Kind of like a trade, right? Besides, the Red(stockings) are tired of the Reds Ox winning WS titles (4 total since the Reds last won it all in 1990). Omg- it’s been 30 freakin’ years?!? What am I doing with my life….
King, I’m still upset about the non call with Fisk throwing to second. I’m not saying the results would have changed but imagine how good the series could have been if Jim Rice wasn’t hurt. Yes he was a rookie but so was Lynn who played great. As much as I love Cecil Cooper (another borderline HOF first baseman), he was overmatched in the 75 WS.
I met Pudge at the Bow Hampton Inn outside Concord, NH in 2001. Nice conversation with the big guy. I was wearing my Clarence DeMar marathon shirt. He saw it and said, “You’re even crazier than me.” That home run. My closest friend in my HS graduating class was killed in September, 1975. He wrote, “Watch the Red Sox won the World Series!” in my 1975 yearbook. Fisk almost made it happen.
Is the double/switch going to be allowed this year? Wouldn’t the pitcher have to face 3 batters? So then if the pitcher was moved into right field after that, they would have to remain in right field as the next reliever also faces three batters, and then the original pitcher would return to the mound to face another three batters? Seems like a stretch.
Never happen but not if the inning ended. It’s three batters or the end of an inning.
Double switch is when you change pitchers and the new pitcher bats next inning, then bring a fielder in to replace a player that made one of the last outs. The new player and pitcher switch spots in the batting order. Now the new player bats next inning and the pitcher won’t come up several batters, usually 7-8.
Interesting, can someone expand upon this?
Say your SS made the last out in the bottom of the 6th. Your starting pitcher gets into trouble in the top of the 7th. The pitcher is scheduled to lead off the bottom of the 7th. The manager brings in a new pitcher and a new SS. The pitcher is now batting 8th and the new SS is batting 9th (leading off the bottom of the 7th). That is a double switch. Now you don’t have to pinch hit for the pitcher in the 7th and he can pitch into the 8th inning.
Shame on the Red Sox for not signing him to an extension…. They’re going to be over the luxury tax either way
A light hitting utility guy? To an extension? Stop. This guy is a dime a dozen..
You are so wrong Ken. Look at all the support for Holt herein. Is everyone else wrong? The only question has been health and now moving forward whether or not his versatility will stay as important with the extra roster spot. A back up who literally can play every fielding position other than catcher and not look ridiculous who by the way has delivered key at bats is very important to me at least. A dime a dozen. Assume he will cost $4m x 2. Show me the other ten to twelve that are available without having to give up anyone in return.
Because the fans like him they should pay him? I like him, but the guy is vastly overrated by this fan base.
Brock Holt is awesome as a person and I really like him but the fact is he is a backup that can play lots of positions and that is his value.
If you have to march Brock Holt out their every single day he will get exposed and well as just break down physically. I have really enjoyed having him on the team and wish him the best he is not a starter though and he would get exposed if he had to start every day. If you are a team that needs a dirt dog that can play any position a few times a week he is great guy to have. He is luxury on a good team especially if he gets 2/10 or so.
On A reds board I frequent I listed holt as a under the radar pick up Id like to see the reds make. A player that can back up nearly every position while still being a impact guy with the bat would be great for a team like the reds who have weaker defenders all over. Course he’d be a great fit for most any team. I’d trade peraza for him in a heartbeat.
Good to know what you posted on another board.
Reds have a good team. He should fit in well there if he signs.
That will be reds 4th top 50 acquisition while brewers cubs cards total 2
3 combined while all loosing players vs reds not loosing anyone. The tide is turning
But if Osuna and Castellanos return to StL and Chicago it’s a huge blow. We should’ve signed at least one of those guys to keep them from our rivals.
Akiyama might be okay, but like the commercial says, “Just okay is not okay”
Akiyama going to destroy mlb pitchers
I’ll take Akiyama and his near .400 career OBP (not to mention the equivalent of several gold gloves in CF in Japan) at 7 mil per as opposed to the 15-18 mil Castellanos and Ozuna will get. He also set the record for hits in a season in Japan. Hit 20 bombs last year. Granted it’s a lesser league but even with a decent amount of regression from his numbers in Japan you are still getting a quality MLB outfielder.
Depends on what it will cost the Reds in dollars. However, a solid pick-up if they can get him. They can still keep VanMeter, who is equally as versatile and put Farmer, who I believe has options remaining, in the minors as a back-up and third catcher.
Signing Holt would probably squeeze either of those guys off the roster. And honestly, neither are good enough that they’ll be missed.
You are probably correct. I’m not sure who they have in the minors as a third catcher. As you recall, Farmer had to step in. But, they could always sign one or two later like they did last year.
If Farmer goes, it will be the last player remaining from the Dodger trade. Which means, the Reds lost big on that one.
Need for a third catcher is too rare to worry about imo. If it’s something you want to worry about though, the only thing we could do is have Tucker or Casali be a late-inning replacement for Votto when we need the other to PH. (so long as one’s not hitting for the other, obviously lol)
Farmer’s just not good enough offensively to keep around. And with the Dodgers’ loaded farm system, Downs and Gray may be a backup and a reliever, which isn’t worth worrying about either.
Remember the Reds like guys that can play multiple positions and therefore I can see VanMeter being sent to AAA
Reds have Nick Senzel who can play 2B or 3B if Suarez or Moustakas is out, and can play CF if Akiyama is out. Not sure they need Holt unless they trust him as a backup SS.
Offensively, he’d be a big boost over Galvis, who is more suited as a late-inning defensive replacement.
It would be interesting if Holt slides into the SS spot over Galvis or if he will continue to be a super utility guy.
They have tried Senzel at SS and 2B with no success. They may give it another go but, I doubt it.
Can Nick play SS too?
Senzel is a natural 3B and can play 2B. Reds used him in CF last year with no prior experience there. He has no experience at SS.
Would like to see Holt back in Boston but that is obviously not a priority for the Sox at the moment.
Brock brings the cliche’d intangibles to the clubhouse. Good presence, veteran voice, willing to play anywhere on the field at at least an average level. For a team that hasn’t seen the playoffs in years he would be a great addition
As a Red Sox fan, I love Brock Holt, but I’ve always remembered what he cost us. While there were multiple players in the trade with Pitt, Boston sent a young Mark Melancon to Pitt as part of that deal and he went on to be a dominate bullpen piece for many years.
Brock certainly brought passion, clutch plays and great clubhouse presence to the Red Sox but I still believe Boston lost this trade. Best of luck to him in his future endeavors. He will make any team better just with his leadership and heart.
Yes, I think they were impatient with Melancon and may not have used him properly. How else do you explain a 6.20 ERA when the guy is sub-3:00 career.
He pitched poorly, ergo bad ERA. Also career ERA NL 2.48, AL 5.79. Not difficult to see where his issues were. He was never going to pitch well for the Red Sox.
Best of luck for him. He’s been a solid utility player with a added plus.
Feel like the Reds already have this type of player with Kyle Farmer.
You’re comparing him to a career .230 hitter just because they both play multiple positions? Holt is a proven MLB player. That’s a pretty significant upgrade over what Farmer has done so far.
This guy I was hoping Pittsburgh Pirates would get. He’d be good to have for back up or start at 3B or if Bell gets traded, he could man the position with Wil Craig at 1B. I am disappointed to see a cheap guy not even being looked at by the front office.
Noooooooooooooooooooooo, Brockstar must stay in Boston!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Watch out for Stearns and the Brewers to go after him.
I heard the need more infield help.
Maybe the Yankees should pick up holt
The problem with a guy like Holt is that, though he’s a great fit on a lot of teams, he’s also pretty replaceable. Most teams have some IF or OF waiting in the minors that they can bring up in a utility role at first, give them favorable matchups to get their feet wet, etc., all for a fraction of the price. He’s a pretty decent utility guy, but $4M for him vs $550K for someone else is an easy decision for a lot of teams.
Holt would be such the perfect piece on the Yankee roster, the finishing touch. Good clubhouse personality, lefty bat, clutch hitter, can play virtually everywhere, high OBP. Yes please
It works because Brock can sub for both Galvis and Moose. Folks – Senzel is the starting CF this season. Shogo is going to a corner and will sub for Senzel. Senzel’s D was strong last season for his try at CF. However, he is an excellent 3B and good 2B should things change.
I think Wilmer Flores could provide the same for cheaper
I’d be fine with him going to Cinci. Then I could drive up and have him sign my Reds Themed Allstar Jersey of his.
Brock Holt plays like Trot Nixon, the Sox should be more interested in retaining such grit.
Chi Sox Should be all over him. He can cover second until madrigal is ready and provides a left-handed bat to a primarily right handed hitting lineup.
BoSox should sign Alex Cora I heard he’s looking for a job lol
What, like dating or just friends?
Brockstar needs to be signed in Boston!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Brock Holt’s versatility seems like the quality that the Oakland A’s could use and need! Unfortunately, at this point I don’t see Billy Beane and the A’s organization being willing to spend what it would take to get Brock.
I have no problem with Holt but I would much rather see them bring back Scooter Gennett.
He’s one I’ve hoped they would go after from the start
We need the Brockstar in Boston, for any other reason he’s a shining star off the field, n a clutch player on the field. With all the upheaval in Boston, the players losing a well loved manager(his own doing)they need a bright light like Brock.