Headlines

  • Red Sox Likely To Activate Alex Bregman Tomorrow
  • Astros To Promote Brice Matthews
  • Phillies Reportedly Targeting Controllable Relievers
  • Yankees Prioritizing Pitching, Also Searching For Infield Help
  • Orioles Trade Bryan Baker To Rays
  • Yankees Release DJ LeMahieu
  • Previous
  • Next
Register
Login
  • Hoops Rumors
  • Pro Football Rumors
  • Pro Hockey Rumors

MLB Trade Rumors

Remove Ads
  • Home
  • Teams
    • AL East
      • Baltimore Orioles
      • Boston Red Sox
      • New York Yankees
      • Tampa Bay Rays
      • Toronto Blue Jays
    • AL Central
      • Chicago White Sox
      • Cleveland Guardians
      • Detroit Tigers
      • Kansas City Royals
      • Minnesota Twins
    • AL West
      • Houston Astros
      • Los Angeles Angels
      • Oakland Athletics
      • Seattle Mariners
      • Texas Rangers
    • NL East
      • Atlanta Braves
      • Miami Marlins
      • New York Mets
      • Philadelphia Phillies
      • Washington Nationals
    • NL Central
      • Chicago Cubs
      • Cincinnati Reds
      • Milwaukee Brewers
      • Pittsburgh Pirates
      • St. Louis Cardinals
    • NL West
      • Arizona Diamondbacks
      • Colorado Rockies
      • Los Angeles Dodgers
      • San Diego Padres
      • San Francisco Giants
  • About
    • MLB Trade Rumors
    • Tim Dierkes
    • Writing team
    • Advertise
    • Archives
  • Contact
  • Tools
    • 2025 Trade Deadline Outlook Series
    • 2025-26 MLB Free Agent List
    • Contract Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Agency Database
  • NBA/NFL/NHL
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors
  • App
  • Chats
Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Reds Sign Erik González To Minor League Deal

By Darragh McDonald | December 5, 2023 at 4:18pm CDT

4:18pm: It is indeed a minor league deal, per Mark Sheldon of MLB.com, with an invitation to camp.

1:00pm: Infielder Erik González has signed with the Reds, per Jon Heyman of The New York Post. There are no details but it’s presumably a minor league deal.

González, now 32, signed a minors deal with the White Sox last offseason. He spent the 2023 season playing for Triple-A Charlotte, getting into 131 games for that club. He hit .272/.322/.360 in that time for a wRC+ of 72 while playing second base, third base and shortstop.

Though he didn’t get called up to the big leagues at any point in 2023, he has 352 games of major league experience. He served part-time roles in each season from 2016 to 2022, suiting up with Cleveland, Pittsburgh and Miami. He hasn’t hit much in that time, with a career batting line of just .242/.276/.340 but he’s been a solid glove-first utility option. He’s received strong marks for his defense at all four infield positions and has even played the outfield on occasion.

The Reds are already loaded with young infielders, as some combination of Matt McLain, Elly De La Cruz, Noelvi Marté, Spencer Steer, Jonathan India and Christian Encarnacion-Strand will be looking for regular playing time while Jose Barrero will likely be in line for a bench role. But injuries are inevitable over a long season and you never know when depth will be needed. The Reds also added Mark Mathias on a minor league deal earlier today and Gonzalez joins him as a non-roster depth option.

Share 0 Retweet 0 Send via email0

Cincinnati Reds Transactions Erik Gonzalez

Rays Re-Sign Chris Devenski
Main
Guardians Win Draft Lottery
View Comments (32)
Post a Comment

32 Comments

  1. Fire Krall

    2 years ago

    Why???

    1
    Reply
    • Mauired

      2 years ago

      They need infielders for AAA

      3
      Reply
    • TheMan 3

      2 years ago

      It’s strike out or bust with Gonzalez and if the Reds were desperate for infielders, why did they let Newman go!

      1
      Reply
      • Dog-Faced Gremlin

        2 years ago

        They’re clearly not “desperate” for infielders. This is simply for minor league depth in the case of injuries. It happens every year with all teams.

        8
        Reply
        • TheMan 3

          2 years ago

          Then why didn’t they sign Kevin Newman who is a far better player than Gonzalez?

          Reply
        • dhud

          2 years ago

          Probably about $3mil reasons why.

          Reply
  2. animedad

    2 years ago

    Well there goes the Mariners big free agent splash

    6
    Reply
    • Bnickles127

      2 years ago

      So true

      Reply
  3. davidk1979

    2 years ago

    Worst winter meetings ever

    7
    Reply
    • HALfromVA

      2 years ago

      Bally’s has several teams by the financial Balleez, so to speak.

      2
      Reply
      • Wire to wire 2024

        2 years ago

        Explain it like I’m five

        1
        Reply
    • octavian8

      2 years ago

      Relax, long way to go. Free agents take their time holding out for the best deal. Once log jam breaks dominoes will start to fall.

      1
      Reply
  4. vaderzim

    2 years ago

    He did hit an opposite field Grand Slam in Cincinnati once… so maybe that was influential on Cincy’s decision here.

    2
    Reply
    • Fire Krall

      2 years ago

      yeah 1 AB…STHU!

      Reply
      • vaderzim

        2 years ago

        Your STHU proves that your IQ is in the single digits, since you are incapable of understanding sarcasm. Take your pent up rage and channel it towards what is really making you angry.

        1
        Reply
      • SufferingRedsFan

        2 years ago

        It’s a minor league contract… people lose their minds over the dumbest things. This guy will be the late inning replacement during spring training and then straight off to Louisville, where he’ll likely be a spot starter/utility guy. If the reds are hit with a wave of injuries he’s the option to call up rather than an actual prospect so you can use his services for a week or two then DFA him to clear the roster spot. Jesus…. Chill out

        4
        Reply
  5. DBH1969

    2 years ago

    Another analytical department wet dream, no doubt HOF bound infielder who can’t hit off the market. What will other teams do now?

    1
    Reply
  6. Catuli Carl

    2 years ago

    Erik González

    12
    Reply
    • solaris602

      2 years ago

      I can’t believe he’s 32 already. Seems like yesterday I was watching him in Columbus before he was called up to CLE, but that would have been like 2013 or 2014. Time does fly.

      Reply
  7. spudchukar

    2 years ago

    Strange! They already have an infieldie glut and said earlier today they were going to hang on to India. I know AAA need players too and Gonzalez is no chump but still seems unnecessary.

    1
    Reply
    • spudchukar

      2 years ago

      infield

      Reply
  8. This one belongs to the Reds

    2 years ago

    Just what they need, another infielder.

    And you wonder why I say he knows nothing about team building….

    Reply
    • dhud

      2 years ago

      It’s a minor league depth signing dude

      Has 0.01% to do with the major league plan

      5
      Reply
      • PiratesPundit51

        2 years ago

        The Reds seem to love former Pirates’ utility guys – Gonzalez and Matthias, not to mention giving them a good bullpen arm last season for Kevin Newman. I’m sure the Pirates would give them Alika Williams for Daniel Duarte if the Reds need a few more Pirates’ utility guys.

        Reply
  9. alwaysgo4two

    2 years ago

    Why are the Reds picking up more IF castoffs? Isn’t that what they’re heavy on?

    1
    Reply
  10. Fire Krall

    2 years ago

    why sign there…no way to back to the show

    Reply
  11. cguy

    2 years ago

    If nothing else these minor league depth signings are bringing Krall and Reds a lot of press- during a quiet Winter meetings.

    Reply
  12. Wire to wire 2024

    2 years ago

    This is not the reds news we’re looking for

    1
    Reply
  13. Here’s the pitch

    2 years ago

    Likely minor league filler but maybe the signings of Mathias and Gonzalez means there isn’t an infield glut, eg., pending trade.

    1
    Reply
  14. This one belongs to the Reds

    2 years ago

    A guy who played in the bigs, unlike any of us.

    Reply
  15. Steve Roberts

    2 years ago

    I’m saying arroyo gets traded for a starting pitcher why this signing.

    Reply
  16. Birdieman2

    2 years ago

    Most inconsequential winter meetings ever so far.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Please login to leave a reply.

Log in Register

    Top Stories

    Red Sox Likely To Activate Alex Bregman Tomorrow

    Astros To Promote Brice Matthews

    Phillies Reportedly Targeting Controllable Relievers

    Yankees Prioritizing Pitching, Also Searching For Infield Help

    Orioles Trade Bryan Baker To Rays

    Yankees Release DJ LeMahieu

    Trevor Williams To Undergo UCL Surgery

    Nationals Fire PBO Mike Rizzo, Manager Dave Martinez

    Brewers Activate Brandon Woodruff

    Clarke Schmidt Expected To Undergo Tommy John Surgery

    Bobby Jenks Passes Away

    Braves Release Alex Verdugo

    Top 40 Trade Candidates For The 2025 Deadline

    Rays Reinstate Ha-Seong Kim

    Yankees Have Shown Interest In Ryan McMahon

    Royals Interested In Bryan Reynolds

    Rangers Option Josh Jung

    Kevin Pillar Announces Retirement

    Braves Place Spencer Schwellenbach On IL With Elbow Fracture

    Giants Exercise 2026 Option On Manager Bob Melvin

    Recent

    Red Sox Likely To Activate Alex Bregman Tomorrow

    Poll: Which Teams Should Make The Biggest Push For Jarren Duran?

    MLB Finalizes Home Run Derby Field

    Astros To Promote Brice Matthews

    Giants Outright Sergio Alcántara

    Joe Coleman Passes Away

    Dodgers Outright CJ Alexander

    Trade Deadline Outlook: New York Yankees

    Clarke Schmidt To Undergo Tommy John Surgery

    Trade Deadline Outlook: Atlanta Braves

    MLBTR Newsletter - Hot stove highlights in your inbox, five days a week

    Latest Rumors & News

    Latest Rumors & News

    • Sandy Alcantara Rumors
    • Luis Robert Rumors
    • Alex Bregman Rumors

     

    Trade Rumors App for iOS and Android App Store Google Play

    MLBTR Features

    MLBTR Features

    • Remove Ads, Support Our Writers
    • Front Office Originals
    • Front Office Fantasy Baseball
    • MLBTR Podcast
    • Trade Deadline Outlook Series
    • 2025-26 MLB Free Agent List
    • Contract Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Agency Database
    • MLBTR On Twitter
    • MLBTR On Facebook
    • Team Facebook Pages
    • How To Set Up Notifications For Breaking News
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors

    Rumors By Team

    • Angels Rumors
    • Astros Rumors
    • Athletics Rumors
    • Blue Jays Rumors
    • Braves Rumors
    • Brewers Rumors
    • Cardinals Rumors
    • Cubs Rumors
    • Diamondbacks Rumors
    • Dodgers Rumors
    • Giants Rumors
    • Guardians Rumors
    • Mariners Rumors
    • Marlins Rumors
    • Mets Rumors
    • Nationals Rumors
    • Orioles Rumors
    • Padres Rumors
    • Phillies Rumors
    • Pirates Rumors
    • Rangers Rumors
    • Rays Rumors
    • Red Sox Rumors
    • Reds Rumors
    • Rockies Rumors
    • Royals Rumors
    • Tigers Rumors
    • Twins Rumors
    • White Sox Rumors
    • Yankees Rumors

    Navigation

    • Sitemap
    • Archives
    • RSS/Twitter Feeds By Team

    MLBTR INFO

    • Advertise
    • About
    • Commenting Policy
    • Privacy Policy

    Connect

    • Contact Us
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • RSS Feed

    MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com

    Do not Sell or Share My Personal Information

    hide arrows scroll to top

    Register

    Desktop Version | Switch To Mobile Version