The Reds are in discussions with free agent infielder Jonathan Villar, per MLB Network’s Jon Heyman (via Twitter). Yancen Pujols initially reported that Villar and the Reds had a deal for $2MM plus incentives, but it now appears as if discussions are ongoing. Villar, one of the last free agent infielders on the market with extended experience in a starting role, could end up settling for a minor league deal before it’s all said and done, per Bobby Nightengale of the Cincinnati Enquirer (via Twitter).
It seemed at the outset of the offseason that the Reds would be players in the shortstop market, and though they dipped their toes in the free agent market, ultimately, they stood idly by as Marcus Semien, Andrelton Simmons, Ha-Seong Kim, and Didi Gregorius found homes outside Cincinnati. New GM Nick Krall has stayed in cost-cutting mode for the majority of the offseason, however.
Villar and his representation at Wasserman might pitch Villar’s potential dynamism as his market advantage. His ability to play both middle infield positions as well as centerfield, on the surface, would provide the Reds with yet another flexible defender. Of course, Villar’s defensive metrics have been subpar pretty much across the board, and if they consummate the deal, he’d be expected to be full-timer at short. He’s flashed enough leather at short in the past to make him a viable option there, though he’ll represent a downgrade defensively from the duo of Freddy Galvis and José García. García remains on hand, of course, and the Reds are high enough on him that he could push Villar for playing time at some point in 2021.
Villar has, at times, been a well above-average option in the infield, most recently in 2019 when he appeared in all 162 games for the Orioles. He put up a triple slash line of .274/.339/.453 with 24 home runs and 40 stolen bases while splitting his time between second and short. Villar runs well, walks at an acceptable 8.8 percent rate for his career, and his bat carries enough thunder to boost the Reds lineup. That is, if he presents closer to the 2019 version of himself (.179 ISO) than the 2020 version (.059 ISO). Generally speaking, that’s the biggest question facing Villar ahead of 2021. As he approaches his age-30 season, Villar boasts a 96 wRC+ for his career, but he could use a season of reputation rehabilitation after struggling to a 66 wRC+ in 207 plate appearances split between the Marlins and Blue Jays in 2020.
dang DD if he’s gonna be that cheap might as well get in on it
You don’t want Villar. Trust.
His time in Birdland was awesome. Always smiling and was fantastic for us. So, your unfounded opinion, is useless
It was so awesome they cut him loose. Your take lacks knowledge.
No it doesn’t. Your assumption is foolish. They let him go because of a little thing called 10 mil. We didn’t need to pay 10mil for a super utility with a roster that was gonna win 60 games. It’s smart business, nothing to do with JohnnieV himself.
Please explain why?
Villar struggles with the glove and is not an accurate thrower from any position. Weak arm from left side of the infield. Runs fast but makes baserunning blunders. If he isn’t hitting he isn’t useful because he doesn’t walk. Not a great hunter either. Undisciplined. All facets.
I say trade everyone. They have zero intention to contend after one year of trying.
Bobby Nightingale? Poor guy.
Boobie prize for missing out on the many good shortstops out there this FA season?
Was hoping the Cubs would get him.
Most likely it’ll be a steal of a deal. Calling it here first, he’ll put up even or better numbers than Didi while making a fraction of the money. Another 20/20 season will be easy in that band box in Cincinnati.
How much does he have to hit to offset that clunky glove work?
Well for purposes of my comparison he only has to be somewhere close to Didi defensively, but your point is valid, he can be a bit of a liability in the field. But you can’t teach that power/speed combo. He’s a net positive cuz with the low $ contract it’ll be surplus value. I enjoyed watching his aggressiveness for the Brewers, and yeah he ran into some outs, but maturity takes different amounts of time for different players. His floor is high and he might put it all together for a season or two you just never know.
His floor is 66 wRC+ evidently. I wouldn’t call that a high floor.
Beat me too it. His time as a Jays was AWFUL. Another case of which do you get 2020 or 2019 .
Might take the under in 19.5 home runs MINUS errors.
True as a true ss or 2b. But to be able to move him around and have him play adaquetly, gives lots of flexibility to a roster.
DPSmith Villar can’t play SS and is not passable at 2B. Before commenting, learn baseball please.
Werealljustguestshere: I’ve noticed that you like to be a dick and I implore you to consider a change of approach. Every person here has one thing in common – we enjoy baseball. Some of us may have more in depth knowledge than others, so be it. Serious question: what do you gain from putting other people down and what does that say about you as a person?
@Were, good thing we have you here to tell us what to think
Well said.
Burnt – maybe take a look above and read what others say first. Hate to break it to you but what are you trying to prove here. You are doing what I do, and I’m the problem? Yet your comment here is ok? You are a hypocrite.
Ksoze I’ve never seen you here. Can’t wait to read your hot takes.
Also read other comments. Blue Jays fans are basically saying the same thing. Condemn all or condemn none.
Hmm well he played SS and 2b so I guess you can’t read. Sad, all that baseball knowledge you have it can’t read a box score.
I appreciate the support. Thankfully box scores tell the real story.
Terrible defence last year with Jays.
Terrible offense as well
Terrible base running as well. The true triple crown.
Triple clown
There was no last year. It was a 60 game extended Spring Training
He couldn’t hit, field or run bases during extended spring training either, per your words.
JackArmstrongWentToRiderUniversity
I put more faith in 2019 results for most everyone. I’m willing to give a 2020 pass given the circumstances and so little playing time … takes some people time to settle in. Votto at times would hit .200 until June , then light it up …
Votto has been hitting .200 since June 2017.
Can Villar play 3rd? If so at that price I would like Atl to sign him to give Riley some competition over there.
That and he’s even an upgrade over Camarillo.. plus he’s played some OF as well
Carmargo stupid spell check
He would be an improvement over Galvis. Get it done Reds!
Sign him for multiple years, Reds. He could start this year at SS and be a better version of Kyle Farmer in the future. If financials improve for 2022, they can go after one of next year’s FA SS’s & have Villar play a utility role.
He was a 4 WAR player in ’19 but Baltimore waived him anyway at a projected $10m. I don’t think it’s because they are cheap. Miami was contending and playoff bound last year and traded him. Again, not because they were sellers. They were buyers at the deadline, getting Marte instead. A playoff team didn’t even want to keep a switch hitting, multi-positional player. Not even for a bench role. I don’t think people in the game like him. “Reckless” and “annoying” are terms I’ve heard. As a fan, he’s really irritating to watch. Running into outs trying to take extra bases when the play is right in front of the fielders, getting picked off third, diving over balls he could have just played in front of him are some of the highlights I will remember from last year. He might be productive statistically, but he seems to do his best to help the other team out a lot.
Several good players waiting to sign a contract hoping for Millions when owners want to pay thousands
Oh he was dumped for money. Nothing more.
Sounds perfect for reds and the city of Cincinnati!
I’ve said all along Villar should be a DH. Who doesn’t want a DH that you can plug in all over the field. And with his speed and bat-to-ball, he can be productive.
The problem is when he gets into the field. His brain farts and lapses are legendary when he has a glove in his hand, so much so that one suspects a severe case of ADD or improper use of recreational drugs.
But as a DH and emergency defensive replacement? Ya, works there. And 2M a pretty good price for that skill set.
This.
Villar has concentration issues …far more often than a professional should. Can’t even attribute the inattention to child-like enthusiasm
I didn’t think that there were enough openings for all the free agent infielders, man.
Down to just a handful of players now. I almost have to abandon hope of an upgrade to Tyler Wade. Which even Villar would be.
Agree with this wholeheartedly. Missed Profar, LaStella, etc. Yankees are doing their level best to stay the same, when everyone at the top is getting better.
Yeah, this was/is the free agent class for infielders & bullpen.
Sucks seeing the Yanks sitting on the sidelines.
Still plenty of relievers available. Couple LH bats that could be shoehorned onto the roster; Miller & Moreland.
Cashman stated that the Yankees would have the “highest payroll in baseball”. That would be helpful.
Lol, right? Who’s the best pen option at this point? I wanted Hand but thinking Rosenthal now? I don’t know.
Yanks really just need to buttress the bridge from starter to end game. So I’m not really even looking at “best”.
Uh?
I’d like one of the LH relievers left: Watson, Wilson, Perez, McGee, Alvarez.
I like Shane Greene and Melancon from the right. They provide different looks than typical relievers. Melancon is a RH Britton type. Greene has a 5 pitch arsenal.
Petit might be a good add. Although I like the Yankees collection of possible multi-inning guys; Cessa, Loaisiga, & Warren. I think someone solid should emerge from that group.
Rodriguez &/or Stratton on the Pirates are my trade targets.
It’d be helpful if Cash could somehow squeeze a couple more solid relief arms into the erstwhile budget.
I’d like to see Greene return to Detroit to fill the closer role and take the pressure off the kids. Easier to be successful when players know their roles. 1 year deal and then Greene can shop himself as a closer.
Yeah, I can see that.
He could end up being in a pennant race, either way. Seems like the kind of signing the Tigers would make, too. They’ve made efforts to not completely suck – or whatever – during their rebuild.
They’ll add some decent MLB veterans.
Still like to have him in the Yanks pen, though.
I always liked Villar. Just a solid player. Sign him this year then go get Story next.
I suggested Cash go to Rox and send, for example, Torres, Garcia/Schmidt, Gil, Florial, Volpe, and Seigler for:
Marquez, Story, & Freeland. Tough sell but a lot of return. I say propose it and see what they’ll give. Even if we end up with Story and Marquez for a bit less, it’s a win imho.
Thoughts DUCKY & Judge?
Seeing as how quickly I liked it, my guess is it’s an underpay by the Yankees.
Doesn’t seem to hurt enough.
Ya know?
What does it look like on BTV? That’ll oftentimes give some indication if you are at least close-ish. My gut reaction is that it’s not even quite enough for Marquez & Story. But I’m not really good at stuff like that.
Beggars can’t be choosers.
I think Blandino is the SS at the end of the year.
Blandino is listed as 3rd and 2nd. I wondered about him as well. He was looking good prior to the knee injury.
Blandino can play SS and as of now it’s probably between him and Farmer there, assuming Garcia gets more development time in the minors. If the Reds add Villar then Blandino’s probably a candidate to get DFA’d since he’s out of options and the Reds’ roster is filling up.
I’ve always liked blandino. Be nice to see him and García split time there. Can’t be that much worse than Villar
Villar is a good player. He is also versatile, and would be one of the few who can steal a bag just about whenever he wants. Sign him! The price is not high.
Villar is one of those many examples of an overpaid player. He’s not bad and shows some real value but $10 million seems somewhat ridiculous unless the Villar shirts are flying off the shelves. They’re not. So an adjustment is in order. This is not collusion. There are many more players like him in the overpaid department. It really is a house of cards, a pyramid scheme, not unlike so many other falsely valued items in our economy. But I hope he gets a job and does well, he’s a decent major league ballplayer and doesn’t have an ny on his hat.
If the Reds are smart they will pay Barry Larkin to work him out at shortstop. He can improve Villar’s skills.
Nick Krall is not a new GM. He took over the GM position in May of 2018. He’s new as president of baseball ops but not GM.
Well, they are obviously not going to spend what it would take to land a high caliber SS in a trade. The only options remaining suck. Signing Villar on a low $ contract isn’t such a horrible deal. He has the tools to go 20-20. Especially in GABP. Get it done and go after Story next year in FA. With Votto nearing the end of that horrendous contract, maybe get him to renegotiate or defer some money for his last two years and throw some of that money at Story.
It will be 2025 at least before this team ever has a shot at anything of value. Even then it will probably need a change of ownership, FO, or even location. They simply do not do baseball well. They love to show pony everything.
Villar and Strange-Gordon could be red herrings.