The Reds announced the signing of Austin Wynns to a major league contract. The Ball Players Agency client reportedly inked a split deal that pays $950K for time spent on the MLB roster and a $300K rate in the minors. To clear space on the 40-man roster, Cincinnati designated outfielder TJ Hopkins for assignment.
As was the case a season ago, the Reds are likely to carry three catchers on the MLB roster. Wynns joins Luke Maile as glove-first veterans to work alongside Tyler Stephenson, who seems set to log the majority of his time at designated hitter.
Wynns, 33, has appeared in the majors in five straight seasons. He spent his first few seasons with the Orioles before bouncing around over the last two years. Wynns played for a trio of NL West clubs in 2023, following brief stints in San Francisco and Los Angeles with a more extended run in Colorado.
The Rockies carried Wynns on the MLB roster from early May onwards. Originally claimed off waivers from the Dodgers, he operated as the backup to Elias Díaz. Wynns didn’t offer anything at the plate despite the hitter-friendly home park, turning in a .214/.273/.282 slash. He owns a .226/.273/.324 line across 653 big league plate appearances overall.
Wynns posted stronger results on the other side of the ball. Statcast graded him slightly positively as a pitch framer for the first time in his career. He cut down nearly 31% of opposing basestealers, well above last year’s 19.8% league average in a much more favorable environment for baserunners.
The Rockies nevertheless cut him loose at the end of the season as a result of his lack of offensive production. Wynns secures a 40-man roster spot in the short term, although the split contract suggests there’s a chance the Reds waive him at some point. Wynns is out of options, meaning Cincinnati can’t send him to Triple-A unless he first clears waivers.
As a player with between three and five years of MLB service, Wynns would have the ability to decline a minor league assignment but would forfeit any guaranteed money to do so. By guaranteeing a $300K salary for whatever time he spends on a minor league roster, the deal could incentivize Wynns to accept a stint in Triple-A if the Reds do run him through waivers at any point. If he remains in the majors all year, he’d be eligible for arbitration again next offseason.
For now, Wynns is on the roster. That necessitated a move which makes Hopkins available to other clubs. A ninth-round pick in 2019, Hopkins reached the big leagues in June. The South Carolina product didn’t see much action in his first MLB stint, tallying 44 plate appearances through 25 games. He hit .171/.227/.171 with 17 strikeouts and two walks.
The 26-year-old (27 next month) had a much better performance in Triple-A. Hopkins posted an excellent .308/.411/.514 slash with 16 homers over 393 trips to the plate in the International League. He walked a massive 14% clip against a slightly elevated 23.9% strikeout rate. Hopkins spent the majority of his time in the corner outfield after seeing scattered center field work early in his professional career.
Cincinnati has a week to trade him or place him on waivers. Between the strong upper minors production and pair of remaining option seasons, there’s a decent chance he changes organizations for the first time in his career.
Mark Sheldon of MLB.com first reported the contract terms.
Image courtesy of USA Today Sports.
Correction- TJ Hopkins is an outfielder, not a first baseman.
Never mind you guys beat me to it smh
Let’s hope he adds to the Wynn column…
Loved him with the giants, not flashy but always did a great job behind the dish for us. Underrated backup imo.
I hope this is just for depth because with all of the good young position players on the Reds carrying a third Catcher all season again seems like a waste of a roster spot
This is a BFD!
Doesn’t surprise me. A 3rd catcher that will maybe start 40 games, pushing Stephenson to DH and 1B some was bound to happen.
Since they plan to have at least two infielders playing the outfield, I guess Po Boy thought he could do it.
Maybe they’ll get someone who understands team building someday.
No, they’re not looking for Stephenson to play any meaningful days at 1B. This move is because they lost both of their AAA catchers.
Finally, somebody who gets it!
I guess they chose Wynns above replacement..
Baseball’s Topics…AGGHHHH!!!! No more analytics, please! (By the way, don’t forget Mason Winn.)
Clown comment
The Reds need Wynns…
Another clown.
Is Bozo running rampant on this site?
He’s from Chicago, so maybe…
Curly! It’s quite clearly Clarabell!
Are you the original Trumbo?
You know it old sport!! It’s me TJ haha.
Hope you have been well my friend!
I almost called it quits, I dried up for a while on posting, because it got too woke. Great to see you back!
Ditto amigo! I felt inclined to question Tim on his “Contract Tracker” post earlier today so I will invariably be excommunicated from posting again by 5pm PST. It was nice chatting while it lasted though haha Why do that hate us?? We are such nice guys??
Trumbo, I was suspended before. I pleaded my case and was reinstated. They love our obtuse opinions. If they suspend you, chat with Tim, as I did, they’re understanding (and they actually like our diverse ideology)
Peace to you mon frere.
I didn’t know you could get suspended on this site. Let the people speak!
Don’t think “suspended” per-se…Think “exiled.”
How dare you guys have an opinion one person doesn’t like!
The site won’t let that happen my friend
Not sure it was worth DFAing a young player in Hopkins. But their usual bring in a third catcher for ST move.
Wish it would’ve been on just a minor league deal though if that’s the case. The fact they gave him a Major League deal tells me they’re expecting him to be on the roster, not just a ST get a look guy
This is per the MLB article:
Dec. 14: Signed catcher Austin Wynns to a one-year contract; designated OF TJ Hopkins for assignment
Wynns will earn $950,000 from his split contract in 2024 if he makes the big league club and $300,000 if he is at Triple-A Louisville. Cincinnati already has Tyler Stephenson and Luke Maile as catchers on the 40-man roster and former Cubs catcher P.J. Higgins coming to Spring Training as a non-roster invite on a Minor League deal.
“It’s catching depth. We don’t really have it in Triple-A,” Reds president of baseball operations Nick Krall told MLB.com’s Mark Sheldon. “There’s a little bit of an insurance policy here.”
The fact they gave him a ML deal means there was competition for his services, and the roster spot decided it.
Ugh I was hoping they’d see the 3 catcher thing was unnecessary after last season. And with everyone in house now there’s zero reason for Stephenson to get any meaningful chunk of ABs from 1B/DH. His bat has value as a C, it’s a huge disadvantage from those positions
He may bounce back
Oh we’re gonna do that stupid 3 catchers thing again huh?
If they were wanting to do that, bring Farm Dog back. At least he can play other positions also.
Personally, for an actual catcher, I would have brought Barnhart back before this guy.
I mean Barnhart would e cost much more right?
Yeah, that might dent that 88 million payroll by another million or two.
I’m not saying your wrong, just that the reds are cheap.. and hopefully saving up for something cool
I expect he would cost less. Barnhart has really slid.
No. It’s a depth move
If it was a depth move it would have been a minor league deal with an invite.
This is per the MLB article:
Dec. 14: Signed catcher Austin Wynns to a one-year contract; designated OF TJ Hopkins for assignment
Wynns will earn $950,000 from his split contract in 2024 if he makes the big league club and $300,000 if he is at Triple-A Louisville. Cincinnati already has Tyler Stephenson and Luke Maile as catchers on the 40-man roster and former Cubs catcher P.J. Higgins coming to Spring Training as a non-roster invite on a Minor League deal.
“It’s catching depth. We don’t really have it in Triple-A,” Reds president of baseball operations Nick Krall told MLB.com’s Mark Sheldon. “There’s a little bit of an insurance policy here.”
There is zero reason to do a split deal if they weren’t planning on carrying 3 catchers like they did last year. It’s called reading between the lines.
That doesn’t make any sense. Why would they do a split contract if they were planning on carrying him on the major league roster? If that were the case, it would only be a major league deal.
In case he sucks? If he plays well in spring training, he’s a cheap backup. If he sucks, send him to AAA and find someone else. But they’re carrying 3 catchers again. No doubt in my mind. They did it all last year and are setting themselves up to do it again.
No way they carry 3 catchers again. Time will tell
We already had Luke Maile (who I do like)… did we need another one?
This is per the MLB article:
Dec. 14: Signed catcher Austin Wynns to a one-year contract; designated OF TJ Hopkins for assignment
Wynns will earn $950,000 from his split contract in 2024 if he makes the big league club and $300,000 if he is at Triple-A Louisville. Cincinnati already has Tyler Stephenson and Luke Maile as catchers on the 40-man roster and former Cubs catcher P.J. Higgins coming to Spring Training as a non-roster invite on a Minor League deal.
“It’s catching depth. We don’t really have it in Triple-A,” Reds president of baseball operations Nick Krall told MLB.com’s Mark Sheldon. “There’s a little bit of an insurance policy here.”
I’ll always remember this guy from the Twitter meme “The Orioles are stacking Wynns”
The article says Stephenson to be primarily at DH. No chance that happens. Maybe he plays there some but with his bay no longer tracking elite he’s a catcher period. The infielders get the DH spot. Knowing this, it’s likely no matter how much the reds limit Stephenson he still ends up on the IL at some point, so the need for a third catcher.
Not saying I agree with it but that’s the only thing that’s logical here.
If Stephenson can’t/doesn’t C how much value does he honestly have
I enjoy reading the comments that were posted before the article was actually finished…
This is a weird lead up to a cease trade but whatever it takes I guess
Maile and Wynns?
It might be that the Reds are concerned about Stephenson since he struggled offensively following his shoulder surgery. and isnt that great of a defensive catcher .
Who?
TJ Can always go work for John.
There is no way they run 3 catchers with our over crowded infield and DH. He’s going to make $300k in the minors barring an injury or Maile collapsing offensively
I agree Big Red. There is no space on the MLB roster for a third catcher, that’s why they gave Wynn a split contract. The Reds needed to sign him because they lost both of their AAA catchers to free agency.
Another head-scratching signing by the Reds front office. The three catcher experiment proved to be unnecessary last year.
Never need backups til you do, right?
They have Luke Maile as the backup. And then they have P.J. Higgins who they signed last month. Not to mention guys in the minors who deserve a shot.
Anthony, and everyone, read what Krall said. Catching depth. Need AAA catchers. He said Nothing about carrying three catchers. You’ve made that up!
You guys are gonna love this guy. He has the best hotels in Vegas.
Spent time in Los Angeles? Uh, you do realize 2 teams play in “los angeles”? Do better.
Are you upset about a free article? Write and post your own free article bub.
Yeah super upset. Can’t stop thinking about it.
From a personal standpoint it makes me feel good that Austin has signed a contract to keep playing…he is one of at least three that are currently playing MLB or are free agents…Kevin Newman and Connor Joe complete the three that all played for me in High School. Austin is a great guy and an above average catcher defensively. and he is a better hitter than what he has showed and will be a great addition should the need arise.
Reds are gonna be the 1st team ever to start 6 ss and 3 catchers
Just for the sake of novelty, let’s assume Krall has a plan. Didn’t see a signing bonus, so no money has actually changed hands. Unlikely Wynns beats out Ty Steve or Maile for a catching job on the active roster and keeping 3 catchers is a nonstarter. This appears to be a temporary move to prepare the way for a larger move- I think maybe trading Ty Steve for pitching.
The only surprise here is that TJ Hopkins was lower on the 40man roster totem pole than Bubba Thompsom, Barerro, Fairchild, or Martini.
Just read an article Miami’s Luzardo is drawing trade interest. They need catching and shortstop. How about offering Stephenson, Williamson and Arroyo? Seems to check boxes for both teams.
The most soulful eyes in the game. Austin Wynns. And that’s saying something. The man has the perpetual look of the quietly supportive, yet disapproving of your new friends, look on his face. Dude needs to be the face of Falkor in the inevitable Neverending Story remake. Bank it.