The Reds announced that outfielder Aristides Aquino has been designated for assignment. The move opens up roster space for right-hander Connor Overton, whose contract was officially selected in time to start tonight’s game.
Aquino was off to a miserable start, with only two hits and a .215 OPS over his first 43 plate appearances. Since Aquino is out of options, the Reds had no choice but to DFA the outfielder, and they now risk losing him on the waiver wire. It remains to be seen if Aquino might generate any interest, considering he has batted only .164/.271/.347 over 303 PA since the start of the 2020 season.
Then again, a team might take a flier on Aquino to see if a change of scenery might help him rediscover any of his amazing 2019 form. Aquino made his big league debut with one game in the 2018 season, and then returned to the majors after being called up by Cincinnati on August 1, 2019. Aquino then went on one of the more memorable out-of-nowhere tears in recent memory, as he hit 15 homers and slashed .313/.379/.750 over his first 124 PA. Even after that Ruthian month, however, Aquino significantly cooled off during September.
Playing mostly as a right fielder during his career, Aquino has experience in both left and center, so he at least offers three-position depth even if he isn’t a defensive standout anywhere on the grass. Nick Senzel, Tommy Pham, Tyler Naquin, and Jake Fraley make up the Reds’ top outfield choices on the current roster, with Matt Reynolds and Brandon Drury able to play some outfield in a pinch.
About time.
About time for sure! I think I can strike out Aquino
what could’ve been
Saw this coming. Was definitely going to regress after the hot start in 2019, but he fell off a cliff.
DFA’d by the 2022 Cincinnati Reds. Can you think of anything more crushing to someone’s self esteem?
Watch – he will go to AAA and crush
There is a lot the Reds can be blamed for but this certainly isn’t one. The guy had every chance in the world and didn’t come close to producing.. Way past time to cut bait.
Yes sir..
Getting cut by the Pirates honestly
DFA by pirates
Was Matsui a male model in his homeland?
I doubt it probably the ugliest man in baseball next to Willie Mcgee
The punisher is being punished for 2 hits in 43 at bats
The only thing he has punished outside of August 2019 is us fans
Seems like yesterday Thom Brennaman was jumping up and down on his desk shouting AQUIIIIIIIINOOOOOO during his initial call-up.
And what a just awful nickname, the Punisher?
Who has he punished? Ever? Literally no one in the league is intimidated when he comes to the plate
He will go to the Giants and rake
A hidden gem waiting to be unearthed by FZ?
Another team can have him. Probably one of the most clueless looking players at the plate I’ve ever seen. He might hit 20 HR in 600 AB’s with a .180 AVG. Terrible hitter with good power. Great arm too. I don’t think he’ll ever amount to much. Good luck to him if someone wants him.
There’s no way this man can be any worse than Kole Calhoun. Throw him on the stockpile, Rangers.
Kind of hitter that would probably do well in Korea, but nowhere else…
sounds like a guy who if he listens can make a comeback with a new hitting coach.
The tough news just keeps on coming for the Reds. That’s going to be a lot of strikeouts to try to replace.
Going to be an Athletic, calling it now.
Nationals.
Thank god!
You have to be real bad to be designated by the Reds this year
Flash in the pan.
23K in 41AB for AA— good riddance.. Votto is still team leader with 24K & now with Aquino gone , no one stands in Joey’s way to own that dubious stat.
Are you really calling Votto’s hitting ability into question? Sawing batter, sawing. Now go sit down. In a corner.
Votto is a notorious slow starter. Check back in a few months.
Nevertheless, Joey is still the odds on favorite to lead the Reds in being K(ed).. In 2020 came in 4th behind Nick Castellanos, Suarez, & Winker (all gone). Last year came in 3rd behind Suarez & India. India having trouble staying healthy, so it’s Joey’s to win (I mean lose).
So in 2020 he had less strikeouts than Castellanos and Winker, two recent All Stars. In 2021 he had less strikeouts than the ROY. Terrible company.
Don’t be that guy, or that cguy.
Pretty sure he was just pointing out that Votto is on pace to lead the club is K’s, which isn’t wrong.
Finally… Loved his tear up but it’s been damn awful ever since… Best of luck AA!
Once the league found out his Kryptonite (breaking pitch down and away) he was toast…
Rockies don’t tend to play the waiver game much, but this guy would be nice in purple. At the very least worth a shot.
Rays will somehow turn him into a hofer
Bet Kevin Long can fix that situation. But pretty sure it’s not worth the effort at this point. If Pillar opts out with the Doyers I’d take a platoon of him and Odubel. At least until Moniak comes back and hopefully is the same hitter he was in the spring.
The next transaction the Reds make should be designating David Bell for assignment
It’s unlikely that any team will pick him up with those numbers and rosters being reduced back to 26-man. The talent is there, perhaps a lengthy stay in the minors will get his stride back.