If I had $50 for every time the Cincinnati Reds expressed interest in a player via trade or free agency only to back out because the cost—whether in money, contract length, or prospects—was deemed too high, I’d be debt-free. Heck, I might even retire early. That dream feels more achievable than seeing the Reds land their targets.
Recently, infielder Gleyber Torres signed a one-year, $15 million deal with the Detroit Tigers. According to Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press, the Reds had shown interest in Torres.
What’s curious about this is that the Reds already have an overcrowded infield, even with the designated hitter available. It’s part of the reason they felt comfortable trading Jonathan India earlier in the offseason—they didn’t have a spot for him to play daily if everyone was healthy. Matt McLain is expected to man second base, and if Torres had been signed, perhaps McLain would have shifted to third.
But that would displace players like Noelvi Marte and Jeimer Candelario. Marte likely needs a strong spring or more Triple-A time to earn his spot back, and Candelario could move to first base or DH. However, this creates a logjam for Christian Encarnacion-Strand, who was supposed to be the team’s first baseman of the future despite a disappointing, injury-affected 2024 season.
The Reds’ interest in Torres suggests they aren’t entirely sold on their current infielders, outside of Elly De La Cruz and perhaps McLain. While that skepticism might be justified, infield depth isn’t exactly the team’s biggest issue. And while Torres is a solid player, he’s not a game-changing hitter. In 2024, he posted a league-average 101 OPS+, following two stronger years at 113 and 118. Good numbers, but not the kind that would significantly alter the team’s trajectory.
Still, Torres would have improved the roster. Perhaps he preferred Detroit, but on a one-year deal, the Reds should have been selling Great American Ball Park as a hitter-friendly environment where players can rebuild value. More likely, the Reds balked at the cost—an odd choice since Torres signed for less than MLB Trade Rumors projected. If they weren’t willing to spend in that range, why even express interest?
In competitive markets, being overly rational about spending often means missing out. Sports aren’t like retail, where you can wait for restocks or sales. If you keep shopping for bargains, you’ll likely end up with less value and production than you originally sought. Winning isn’t about saving money; it’s about building a roster that can compete for championships.
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