Reds Showing Interest in Former Yankees SS Didi Gregorius in Free Agency
By Sean Facey
Didi Gregorius might be fresh out of his pinstripes, but it seems as though he's already drawing interest from another familiar friend out on the open market.
Right as the market's opened, the Cincinnati Reds have emerged as possible suitors for his services. Gregorius started his career with the Reds, and they'll likely have an opening at shortstop, with Jose Iglesias entering free agency this offseason.
Reds have interest in Didi Gregorius, whose original team was yes, the Reds. Gregorius is a good bounce-back candidate as @KMillar15 said on @IntentionalTalk today.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) November 8, 2019
Gregorius, who came back from injury in June, struggled for most of 2019. In 82 games, he slashed just .236/.276/.441 with a .297 wOBA and an 84 wRC+, both of which were well-below league average.
His expected numbers don't offer much solace either. Gregorius' .293 xwOBA ranked in the 12th percentile in 2019.
With that being said, perhaps a full offseason of rest and a change of scenery could be just what he needs to get back on track. He did show flashes of his 2018 form in the playoffs, and if he lands in a hitter-friendly environment like Great American Ballpark, he could thrive.
The Yankees Did Not Extend Didi Gregorius a Qualifying Offer, Making Him a Free Agenthttps://t.co/pgoFaF1Y9B pic.twitter.com/udPqBpjpVQ
— Eric Hubbs (@BarstoolHubbs) November 4, 2019
It'll be interesting to see if the Gregorius and the Reds do end up crafting a reunion. If it's at the right price, it could go down as one of the more underrated moves made in this offseason.