The Reds have moved quickly to keep Oswaldo Cabrera in the fold after giving the former Yankees infielder a brief look in Cincinnati last season. On Thursday, the club signed Cabrera to a one-year big league deal that avoids arbitration this offseason, according to Reds reporter C. Trent Rosecrans.
It’s another small but telling move for a team trying to piece together a roster that fits Terry Francona’s vision. Cabrera gives Cincinnati a versatile defender with the kind of utility that can help a club in a few different spots, and the Reds appear to value that flexibility. He also offers more at the plate than Ke'Bryan Hayes brings at the hot corner.
Cabrera’s time in Cincinnati last season was limited, but it was enough to give the Reds a clearer picture of what he can provide. He appeared in four games for the club and went 4-for-13 with two doubles.
Before that, he played three games for the Yankees and went 0-for-9 before New York cut him loose. It’s a tiny sample, but the Reds clearly saw enough to keep him around.
What stands out is the profile. Cabrera isn’t an elite defender, but he’s been above average with the glove more often than not, and he usually puts the ball in play. His low strikeout rate makes him a tough out, and his ability to handle several positions gives Cincinnati another player in the Spencer Steer mold - someone who can cover multiple infield spots and both corner outfield positions.
That kind of flexibility matters for a roster the Reds are still trying to shape. Cabrera’s deal won’t be the move that changes everything, but it does remove a potential arbitration headache and keeps a useful piece in place. For Cincinnati, the message is pretty clear: this is one step, not the finish line.
The Reds still have more work to do this offseason if they want to be viewed as a serious contender. Cabrera helps, but the heavy lifting is still ahead.
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