MINNEAPOLIS, MN - JUNE 21: Manager David Bell #25 of the Cincinnati Reds looks on against the Minnesota Twins on June 21, 2021 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images)
Cincinnati Reds acquire infielder Santiago Espinal from Toronto Blue Jays
If you’ve been under a rock all offseason, you missed the scuttlebut about the Cincinnati Reds having more infielders than any team could possibly need. The addition of Jeimer Candelario, for instance, was widely palled – me, included – since it seemed crazy to find space for him amid a sea of Christian Encarnacion-Strand, Noelvi Marte, Matt McLain, Elly De La Cruz, Jonathan India, Spencer Steer, and potentially Edwin Arroyo.
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The Cincinnati Reds were desperate for infield depth on Wednesday afternoon, and they struck a deal with the Toronto Blue Jays to acquire former All Star Santiago Espinal in exchange for minor league pitcher Chris McElwain.
The last week or so has been devastating for the Reds infield depth. Noelvi Marte was popped for an 80-game suspension for PEDs, Matt McLain – who had already missed most all of camp with an oblique issue – suddenly had a shoulder issue that may end up requiring surgery, and on Wednesday evening we learned that Arroyo had labrum surgery and will miss the entire year.
On top of that, India had another bout of plantar fasciitis that set him back in camp (and will surely flare up again at some point) while TJ Friedl – the team’s CF – broke a wrist that may require Steer to backfill more in the outfield as Will Benson moves to CF as cover.
Enter Espinal, who was squeezed out of a regular spot by the Blue Jays offseason that saw them, among many moves, acquire both Justin Turner and Joey Votto to further crowd their infield mix. He’s a career 96 OPS+ bat that won’t really scare anyone, but his glovework around the infield has been impressive (and lauded) over his four years in the big leagues.
I’m not going to speculate on what this means for McLain, whose status is still technically up in the air, but I can’t imagine it’s an endorsement that he’s mostly fine and will be ready to roll on Opening Day next week. That said, my head is busy spinning trying to process this all in the first place, so perhaps I’m just delusional.
