The Reds have acquired outfielder Delino DeShields Jr. in a trade with the Red Sox, as announced by both teams. Boston will receive cash considerations in return, and the Reds have assigned DeShields to their Triple-A affiliate.
Since DeShields wasn’t on Boston’s 40-man roster and was playing on a minor league contract, he was eligible to be dealt after the July 30 trade deadline. The Sox and Reds have each made similar deals this August — Cincinnati previously swapped Mallex Smith to the Blue Jays for cash, while Boston picked up right-hander Brad Peacock from the Indians just yesterday and added DeShields himself from the Rangers four weeks ago.
DeShields is still looking to appear in his first big league game of the 2021 season. The veteran was non-tendered by Cleveland last winter and signed back on with Texas on a minor league contract, though he didn’t receive a call-up from either the Rangers or the Red Sox. The expanded September rosters create some extra opportunity for DeShields to get a look from the Reds, especially since Jesse Winker and Nick Senzel are still on the injured list. There is also a family connection involved, as Delino DeShields Sr. is Cincinnati’s first base coach.
With Winker expected back in a couple of weeks, the Reds will have Winker and Nick Castellanos in the corner outfield, with DeShields perhaps serving as a right-handed hitting complement to Tyler Naquin and Shogo Akiyama in center field. Aristides Aquino and Max Schrock are also on Cincinnati’s roster, though they lack DeShields’ experience and speed. The latter skill could be potentially very useful for DeShields to earn pinch-running opportunities for the Reds down the stretch and potentially into the postseason.
DeShields is 21-for-24 in stolen base attempts at the Triple-A level this season, and he has hit .252/.385/.366 over a combined 381 plate appearances with the Rangers and Red Sox affiliates. While DeShields is best known for his fielding and baserunning, his offense has been much of a mixed bag, as he has hit only .246/.326/.340 over 2056 career PA in the majors.
Now is the point where all the RS haters, that complained about us picking up DD, will now complain about us getting rid of him.
Why would the Reds pick him up? They already have outfielders who couldn’t hit water if they fail out of a boat
I’ve failed out of a boat a few times, but I’ve never failed in a boat. Then again, I never took any classes in a boat, either.
What??
Read
Lol not right
Nothing more than papi being a coach in Cincy. Chance to coach his son.
They need someone who can hit lefties.
Unless he has picked up some pitching skills, a hard pass
His dad is the Reds first base coach.
Aah, nepotism. Giving unqualified players and coaches opportunities for as long as I can remember.
Reds need to release Shogo Akiyama. They’re basically playing with a 25 man roster. He is abysmal.
Shogo akiyama 324 at bats 0 hr
Bartolo colon 299 at bats 1hr
Lol
Don’t mock Big Sexy’s power…
I’ve met DD and he’s a very nice guy. Good speed. A leader. Give him a shot.
But is he a GoOd cLuBhOuSe GuY??!?!?
At least Shogo can put a bat on a ball. Aquino looks clueless when he is at the plate and more clueless when he is in the outfield. The only time he looks comfortable is when he is sitting on the bench.
Not expecting much but if he gets called up to the Reds maybe being there with his Dad could help him turn it around and be serviceable for a week or two.
Can’t hurt. Speed guy. Low risk.
Shows you the fine line being a ML player and a 4A guy! He is better than quite a few guys who have played for the Brewers this season, yet he sat in AAA! The life of a Ham and Egger minus player!
DeShields Sr. Is the Reds First Base coach so perhaps a family reunion?
It would be a shame if he doesn’t get along with his dad!
Pretty incredible that this guy has hung around for 2,000+ PAs in the majors. He’s always been barely about replacement level. Oh well, Cincy can waste a few more PAs on him.
If only he could play like his pops, The only thing he has is more speed than Sr had.
115 comments when the RS acquired him.
22 comments when we sent him away.