The Reds have agreed to a minor league contract with right-handed reliever Heath Hembree, the team announced. The deal includes an invitation to major league spring training.
Hembree, who has appeared in the bigs with the Giants, Red Sox and Phillies since he debuted in 2013, signed a minors deal with Cleveland during the offseason. He became available again when the Indians released him over the weekend.
The 32-year-old Hembree could now compete for a spot in Cincinnati’s bullpen, which has lost Raisel Iglesias and Archie Bradley since last season. Hembree carries a 3.90 ERA/3.80 SIERA over 272 2/3 innings in the majors, though he struggled last season between Boston and Philadelphia. He gave up 19 earned runs on 26 hits and eight walks (against 20 strikeouts) in 19 innings, leading the Phillies to outright him in October.
The Reds need pitching? That’s shocking. Is he a converted third baseman?
Can he play SS?
Hembree was a solid part of the 18 bullpen in Boston. Wish him the best, love to see him land a job.
former future closer for the giants
Heath seemee like he was always on the HotSeat in Boston, but was a performer. Wish him nothing but the best.
Every time he took the mound for Philly I turned the game off and I was right to do so every time….what a disaster
Phillies012TG. I feel your pain because I basically did the same thing every game last year once Boston got behind or brought in any of their late inning relievers before the trade.
Watching him pitch was tough on my mental health. Hope he has a good year but hope he never comes back to Philly lol
There’s the difference. To me it was basically the staff that stunk last year in Boston and I remember his value in holding games close. If he were to earn a spot again in Boston, I’d say good for him. He had a run any of us would be proud to have had.
Reds got half the league on Minors deals
It feels like every team signed a ton of minor league deals this year! Maybe it is because so many players were hurt or because as baseball fans we were just starved for any baseball news.
Teams do sign a truck load of players on minor league deals to fill up AAA and AA rosters every year, but this year it felt like more than usual.
Because more teams chose not to pick up options due to pandemic related budget issues and learning from the Rays and A’s.
The Reds and Indians share a facility, so they have had a chance to see him pitch. Every time the Reds sign onebof these guys I assume that DJ and Boddy see something they think they can work with.
Low risk bounce back candidate. Considering payroll constraints, a fair move.
Side note- the 3rd baseman jokes are not only unoriginal, but at this point they are old and overplayed. A whole lot of parrots around here…..
You just gotta assume those jokes are coming. Like the Jays and being connected to every FA, the Yankees and injuries, Cubs and dumpster diving, Orioles and Chris Davis, Padres are overrated, Dodgers haven’t won a real WS, Astros are cheaters, Marlins and Rays have one fan. Every team has there’s. You gotta own it
Bross16 – lol, That was funny, but if I was still a regular here I can see where it would get old…
Weird, some people don’t like trolls. This site is thick with them.
These bullpens are going to carry other work loads than ever before. This signing let’s him work in AAA for a couple weeks on why they see and be prepared for his call up as soon as they need to “change lines” on some bullpen arms. Sorry for mixing sports metaphors.