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Cubs Reportedly Interested in Former Reds Infielder Scooter Gennett

By Brendan Balsamo

Gennett, best known for his time with the Reds, is reportedly drawing interest from the Cubs.
Gennett, best known for his time with the Reds, is reportedly drawing interest from the Cubs. / Christian Petersen/Getty Images

After a lackluster 2019 campaign in which he only played 42 games, free agent second baseman Scooter Gennett still finds himself on the market towards the end of January. However, he is garnering interest from MLB teams.

As first reported by Bruce Levine, the Chicago Cubs are reportedly interested in signing Gennett.

Gennett was primed for a breakout 2019 after having great 2017 and 2018 seasons with the Cincinnati Reds, but injuries kept him from seeing his true potential. In 2017, Gennett hit .295 with 27 home runs and 95 RBIs including an MLB-record 4-home-run game on June 6. The next season featured Gennett's first All-Star appearance and saw him hit .310 with 23 home runs and 93 RBIs.

Gennett has a high ceiling, as shown by two of his last three seasons, but 2019 was just utterly disappointing. The Reds traded him to the San Francisco Giants at the deadline, and he was subsequently released a month later.

Gennett could end up being the surprise of 2020, especially for a team that has no clear-cut starter at second base like the Cubs. Don't count him out just yet.