3:11pm: Per Mark Sheldon of MLB.com, Harrison would have a salary of $1.5MM this season if he makes the club and has an opt-out opportunity on March 21.
1:44pm: The Reds have come to terms on a minor league contract with utility man Josh Harrison, as confirmed by Harrison’s agency MSM Sports. The deal includes an invitation to spring training.
In his age-35 season, Harrison appeared in 41 MLB games, splitting his time between third base, second base, and the corner outfield spots. He also has experience playing shortstop and has filled in at first base, in center field, and on the mound as needed. Yet, given Cincinnati’s abundance of infield depth, it’s hard to imagine Harrison making the team out of spring training. Barring an injury to one (or several) of Elly De La Cruz, Jeimer Candelario, Jonathan India, Noelvi Marte, Matt McLain, and Spencer Steer, there simply isn’t any space or any need for another infielder on the 26-man roster, no matter how versatile. However, if Harrison, an Ohio native and University of Cincinnati alum, is willing to bide his time at Triple-A, there could be a role for him eventually as injuries inevitably pop up.
Harrison was a valuable role player as recently as the 2022 campaign, when he posted a 97 wRC+ and 1.4 FanGraphs WAR in 119 contests for the White Sox. Unfortunately, he struggled mightily the following year with the Phillies, hardly ever walking and hitting for even less power than usual. He was worth -0.6 fWAR in just 41 games, leading to his release after the trade deadline. Although he landed with the Rangers soon after on a minor league deal, the veteran infielder failed to make his way back to the majors before opting out of his contract at the end of August. Considering his age and steep decline, it would be fair to presume Harrison’s best days are behind him. At the same time, he has a long track record of success and played well from 2020-22. If he can bounce back, the young Reds offense could certainly benefit from his experienced presence in the clubhouse.
Reds will be fun to watch this year. Will enjoy watching them playing LA.
Walking, breathing human catalyst for the playoff Bucco teams from a decade ago. Crazy he’s a 2x All Star and is probably washed but a good dude to have around in Cincy.
He’s from Cincinnati, too. What fan doesn’t love a homecoming story?
Welcome to Cincinnati, where being a good dude can get you in David Bell’s infield rotation on Thursday night games against lefthanders.
Stop signing more infielders we don’t need!
The Louisville Bats need to field a team too
Really hating on this signing ? Great pick up ! He will swing a hot bar at some point
It’s wild how angry people get about minor league signings….he is a nice depth piece at AAA so that the reds dont have to trot out guys like Jason Vosler, Matt Reynolds, Jose Barrero etc…like they did last season.
Rather have Matt Reynilds in Louisville, but Harrison will help. Need another bat or two on a MiLB deal.
Exactly, they act like as that the team needs to have All Stars all over, not just the hitters but also the entire pitching staff, which is absolutely ridiculous.
Lots of hot bars in Cincinnati, too. And some have swingers in them.
Now I see the point of this signing.
Happy to have a Bearcat in the org but something(s) would have to go very wrong for him to see much time with the Reds this year.
Absolutely, let’s just hope he is a nice vet in AAA
I wouldn’t be surprised if he makes the team out of spring training as the last bench guy. Harrison’s potential ceiling is probably just slightly above league average at this stage of his career but as a righty bat to play corner outfield against lefty starters, the versatility to bounce around the field for late game situations or to cover for injuries basically anywhere and as a veteran prescence on a young team he checks just about every box the Reds need on the position player side of the roster. Taking a cheap flier on him makes a lot of sense since there’s no real risk involved on this minimal level of investment. The homecoming aspect is just icing on the cake.
Maybe it’s a precursor to a trade for a pitcher.
It’s not…signing Josh Harrison to a minor league deal is not a precursor to anything…it’s the signing of a 35 year old guy that hit .204 last season and nothing more.
If the Reds do make a trade, they’ll have to replace the infield depth at Louisville that’s sure to be included in any deal.
I don’t believe this is accurate…what infielder in Louisville is currently a desirable trade piece?? The reds minor league prospect infielders and their placement are:
Cam Collier – low A
Edwin Arroyo – AA
Sal Stewart – high A
Ricardo Cabrera – low A
Carlos Jorge – high A
Leo Balcazar – Low A
I swear I thought it said “Red Sox”. I was almost impressed.
He could start for the Angels. At least he’d want to play 3rd.
Once you go, Harrison. There’s no comparison.
Sounds like the Reds are also interested in signing Tony Kemp as well. I just wish they would take the money they put aside for garbage and try to sign a player who might actually help them win.
It is almost spring training and they still have not addressed their universally agreed #1 need or #2 either in my opinion, a quality setup man to Diaz. But they sre collected infielders they didn’t need.
Someone’s development will suffer and then they’ll call him a bust. Mark my words.
I fail to see how this effects the development of anyone…unless your premise is that giving Harrison 30 or so plate appearances in spring training will ruin some other player because they didn’t get those appearances…seems overly dramatic to me.
Then you don’t really follow this club or hsve a short memory.
oh well please enlighten me as to the last NRI signing that destroyed the development of young player so much so that he was labeled a bust.
Anyone remember Matt Reynolds? How about the immortal Jason Vosler? How many times was Weaver rolled out there last season? This happens every year.
There’s a whole lot of young talent around, or so you all keep saying. They already have six infielders who need full time playing time. Not to mention a couple of nice young players on the verge who are waiting in the wings. Do the math.
I swear the Twitter generation forgets to think before they hit send.
Yes good job on naming guys but lets dive in a bit:
Reynolds wasn’t an NRI signing and you have not made any point to say who’s development was hampered when he had 5 Ab’s last season
Vosler was an NRI so that’s a win for you, but again who’s development was hampered by his 62 AB’s.
Weaver was not an NRI and again you didn’t state who’s development he ruined….
Harrison is not going to be in the mix for an everyday roll in the infield, so instead of getting wildly dramatic about every little thing, maybe just take a breath and relax a bit
He is always overly dramatic and sees baseball with blinders on.
Every good organization makes these types of signings in part because they HELP and not hinder players developments. I don’t know if Harrison falls under the “well respected veteran” label but veteran players come in, mentor, tell players what it’s like, how hard it is to get to and stay in the Majors and show by example how much work they are willing to put in to get back. Here’s Harrison, earned tens of millions of dollars riding the bus with you, staying in the awful hotels with you, bunking up with you all for the chance to get back to the show!
There is also the whole lightening in a bottle aspect as well as depth in the event of injury. Fans always think so and so should be brought up but promoting players too early will derail development more than a veteran getting playing time in AAA.
Lastly, people tend to forget apparently a managers job in the minors is only player development. They don’t care about winning games, it’s getting guys at bats, reps on certain positions, pitch so many innings/pitches etc. they have to treat highly valued prospects with kid gloves as well when it comes to health. That’s why these depth signings are important.
If Antone stays healthy he’s your setup man, Suter and/or Moll not far behind, and I don’t see spending on or trading for an “ace” when my crystal ball points to Greene and Lodolo being a killer 1-2 punch this year, and honestly I could see Abbott and Ashcraft taking massive steps forward as well, and I don’t believe in periods, only commas because I’m freestyling check it check it out yeah yeah
A lot if ifs there, and your “killer 1-2 punch” have not had a full season yet they didn’t spend time on the IL. Antone is two seasons away from playing a full one as well.
That being said, I hope you’re right with all of that. But I feel better about a ballclub that has more certain contingency plans than the dumpster diving of last year.
@DocEllisD You can’t be serious. Do you really think TeJay Antone will be the Reds set up man this season? The guy is coming off his second Tommy John surgery and has only pitched 5 2/3 innings in the past two years. I love Tejay, but if the Reds are depending on him to contribute, it’s going to be a very long year.
I’m not committed to the idea, nevertheless I think the bullpen is in decent shape, and I wasn’t considering their recent acquisitions either, so actually I’m downright smitten with this bullpen!
What is apparently lost on everyone is that the Reds bullpen has not been operated as one of the old “fixed situation” bullpens with a single closer, 8th inning set-up man, a couple 7th inning guys, a lefty specialist etc. Everyone in the Reds pen last year was used in multiple situation, and used regularly to the point of overuse. Adding Pagan, Suter, Martinez, plus returning Farmer gives the Reds veteran depth and should prevent overuse. I believe just about everyone will receive regular use- and except for Diaz (as closer) – all relievers used in multiple types of relief work.
“A thousand infielders, you say?!? We want a thousand and one!!”—-Cincinnati, probably
I would have applauded ten years ago, maybe even five.
Its a non-roster invitee minor league contract….nobody should be applauding nor should anyone be angry about it…it’s really not worth much of a reaction at all
Saw the Jos and thought PLEASE let it be Soler
J Hay was born in Cincinnati. Always wanted the Reds to get him.
Welcome home my man!!! Love this move!
Want to show your kid how to play ball?
Then cue the J-Hey footage. Loved his energy and enthusiasm with the Buccos. Proud to have had him on “my” team! ☠️⚾️
Hall of Very Good.
The Reds sure don’t need another infielder, but maybe Josh Harrison plans to work on his knuckleball with Alex Blandino.
Ok if nobody else will ask I will. Why?
Dear God. Just when I thought the Reds would go into ST without a has been for Bell to cop a crush on.. smdh
Here’s the right handed hitting outfielder you all have been clamoring for. Typical of this front office. Enjoy.