Catcher Austin Wynns passed through waivers unclaimed and has accepted an outright assignment to Triple-A Louisville, per C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic on X. The backstop had been designated for assignment by the Reds earlier this week.
Wynns, 33, signed a split deal with the Reds in the offseason that pays him a $900K salary while in the majors and $300K in the minors. Since he is out of options, the club has outrighted him off the 40-man three times already this year. As a player with more than three years of service time but less than five, Wynns can reject an outright assignment but would have to walk away from his remaining money in order to do so.
That specific contract structure and service time situation have allowed the Reds to shuttle Wynns on and off the roster whenever they have needed a third catcher to support Tyler Stephenson and Luke Maile. Wynns was added a couple of weeks ago when Stephenson was hurt but bumped off the roster when Stephenson felt better. Shortly thereafter, Stephenson went on the paternity list, which gave Wynns another few days on the roster before being bumped off again.
It’s possible that Wynns may be quickly needed yet again in short order. Maile appeared to injure himself running to first base today, with video relayed on X by Bally Sports Cincinnati. He initially stayed in the game but was later replaced behind the plate by Stephenson. Wynns has hit just .229/.276/.331 in his career but is generally considered a competent defender behind the plate.
He might be back soon if Luke Maile tweaked his hip.
Austin got waived and then the added gift of nobody wanting him….
Biggest mistake the Cincinnati Reds made was not trading for Ian Happ
Happ Is single handle the best team In MLB a major beat down this afternoon.
Jed could get two to three top 10 prospects for most clubs.
If the Cubs decide to trade him.
Happ does beat up the Redlegs when they play against him. When was this potential trade you’re talking about? I remember once the Reds almost got Nimmo too. That would have been a good trade. Every team has these sort of “what ifs.”
Do you really think he is worth even two top ten prospects? I mean, if you are talking a really bad farm system, than maybe? His career is that of the really good above average guy, not a star. He is a guy you want on your team though.
His contract continues to benefit both the Reds and Wynns.
i think more backup catchers might look into signing a wynns deal. split contracts that allow a team to have a third catcher rostered when they need, and pays the player well over the whole season.
Funny how the Reds guy is staying while the Yankees guys are jumping in the life boats and getting the heck out of there. Huh.
If I were a fringe guy I’d stay in the Reds organization too. Given the history of this front office, odds are they will dumpster dive for you at some point.