Headlines

  • Brewers To Promote Jacob Misiorowski
  • Red Sox Promote Roman Anthony
  • Craig Kimbrel Elects Free Agency
  • Marlins Place Ryan Weathers On 60-Day IL With Lat Strain
  • White Sox To Promote Grant Taylor
  • Mariners Designate Leody Taveras For Assignment, Outright Casey Lawrence
  • 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
    • 2024-25 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2025-26 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2024-25 Top 50 MLB Free Agents With Predictions
    • Projected Arbitration Salaries For 2025
    • Free Agent Contest Leaderboard
    • 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

ad: 300x250_1_MLB

    Top Stories

    Brewers To Promote Jacob Misiorowski

    Red Sox Promote Roman Anthony

    Craig Kimbrel Elects Free Agency

    Marlins Place Ryan Weathers On 60-Day IL With Lat Strain

    White Sox To Promote Grant Taylor

    Mariners Designate Leody Taveras For Assignment, Outright Casey Lawrence

    Angels Acquire LaMonte Wade Jr.

    Corbin Burnes To Undergo Tommy John Surgery

    Braves Select Craig Kimbrel

    Jerry Reinsdorf, Justin Ishbia Reach Agreement For Ishbia To Obtain Future Majority Stake In White Sox

    White Sox To Promote Kyle Teel

    Sign Up For Trade Rumors Front Office Now And Lock In Savings!

    Pablo Lopez To Miss Multiple Months With Teres Major Strain

    MLB To Propose Automatic Ball-Strike Challenge System For 2026

    Giants Designate LaMonte Wade Jr., Sign Dominic Smith

    Reds Sign Wade Miley, Place Hunter Greene On Injured List

    Padres Interested In Jarren Duran

    Royals Promote Jac Caglianone

    Mariners Promote Cole Young, Activate Bryce Miller

    2025-26 MLB Free Agent Power Rankings: May Edition

    Recent

    Blue Jays To Promote Will Robertson

    Casey Lawrence Elects Free Agency

    Diamondbacks Outright Aramis Garcia; Scott McGough Elects Free Agency

    Pirates Re-Sign Tanner Rainey To Minor League Deal

    Giants Place Matt Chapman On 10-Day Injured List

    Mariners’ Bryce Miller Out Four To Six Weeks With Elbow Inflammation

    Roberts: Chance Of Ohtani Pitching Before All-Star Break Is “North Of Zero”

    Diamondbacks Place Justin Martínez On IL With UCL Sprain

    Orioles Select Luis Vázquez

    Rangers To Sign Craig Kimbrel To Minor League Deal

    ad: 300x250_5_side_mlb

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

    Latest Rumors & News

    Latest Rumors & News

    • 2024-25 Top 50 MLB Free Agents With Predictions
    • Nolan Arenado Rumors
    • Dylan Cease Rumors
    • Luis Robert Rumors
    • Marcus Stroman Rumors

     

    Trade Rumors App for iOS and Android

    MLBTR Features

    MLBTR Features

    • Remove Ads, Support Our Writers
    • Front Office Originals
    • Front Office Fantasy Baseball
    • MLBTR Podcast
    • 2024-25 Offseason Outlook Series
    • 2025 Arbitration Projections
    • 2024-25 MLB Free Agent List
    • 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

    ad: 160x600_MLB

    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

    hide arrows scroll to top

    Register

    Desktop Version | Switch To Mobile Version