The Cincinnati Reds signed first baseman/outfielder Jake Bauers to a minor-league contract with an invitation to spring training Monday, increasing their number of non-roster invitees to camp to 10.
The Reds were one of three teams, along with Cleveland and Oakland, who didn’t sign a free agent to a Major League contract prior to the Dec. 2 lockout. Teams are not permitted to make moves on their 40-man roster during the lockout and they are limited to minor league transactions.
Bauers, a left-handed hitter, played 115 games in the Majors last season with Cleveland and Seattle, but he was considered a minor league free agent because he cleared waivers and was outrighted off Seattle’s 40-man roster in October. The 26-year-old hit .209 in 282 at-bats with seven doubles, four homers and 19 RBI.
He will likely compete for a bench spot during spring training, adding depth in the corner outfield and first base.
Most non-roster signings typically turn into upper-level depth in the minor leagues, but teams hope at least a couple of them contribute at the Major League level.
The Reds invited 14 non-roster players to spring training last season. Tyler Naquin, who signed in February, was the only one who carved a regular starting role all season, but Cam Bedrosian made the Opening Day roster and Josh Osich contributed out of the bullpen for a stretch.
In 2020, the non-roster group included left-hander Brooks Raley, who signed a two-year, $10 million contract with Tampa Bay this winter, Tyler Thornburg and Matt Davidson.
Here’s a look at the 10 non-roster invitees the Reds have signed this winter:
Bauers, 1B/OF – He’s hit well during his time in Triple-A, and he was a consensus top-100 prospect in 2018, but he’s struggled in his stints in the Major Leagues. He’s a career .213 hitter in the big leagues with a .307 on-base percentage in 328 games.
In 2018, with the Tampa Bay Rays, Bauers hit 22 doubles and 11 homers in 96 games with a .316 on-base percentage.
Trey Amburgey, OF – Playing for the New York Yankees’ Triple-A affiliate last season, Amburgey had a .276 batting average and .337 on-base percentage in 71 games with 23 doubles, eight homers and 52 RBI.
The 27-year-old right-handed hitter went hitless in four big-league at-bats last season.
Brandon Bailey, RHP – Bailey was on the Reds’ 40-man roster last season, but he missed the entire year after he underwent Tommy John surgery in February. He was non-tendered in early December, but he re-signed on a minor-league deal.
He may be eased into spring training, assuming it starts on time, because he’s recovering from Tommy John surgery, but the Reds liked his pitch mix when they traded for him last winter. He made five relief appearances for the Houston Astros in 2020.
Allen Córdoba, 1B/3B – He was a Rule 5 pick by the San Diego Padres in 2017 out of rookie ball and he stuck on the Major League roster all year as a reserve utility player. The right-handed hitter returned to High-A afterward and hasn’t played above Double-A since his season in the Majors.
In Double-A last year, the 26-year-old Córdoba hit .299 with 20 doubles, five homers and 38 RBI in 74 games.
Kyle Dowdy, RHP – Dowdy, 28, spent last season at Triple-A in Cleveland’s organization, posting a 4.80 ERA in 60 innings with 63 strikeouts and 40 walks. He hasn’t pitched in the Majors since 2019, but he provides depth as a multi-inning reliever.
Aramis Garcia, C – The Reds sought catching depth after trading Tucker Barnhart. Garcia, who turns 29 in January, played in 32 games with the Oakland A’s last season and hit .205 in 88 at-bats. He played in 37 games with the San Francisco Giants from 2018-19.
Andrew Knapp, C – Probably the favorite to earn the backup catcher job behind Tyler Stephenson, he will compete with Garcia and Mark Kolozsvary for the spot in spring training. Knapp played with the Philadelphia Phillies from 2017-21, totaling 309 games. A switch-hitter, Knapp hit .152 in 145 big-league at-bats last season.
Connor Overton, RHP – Overton, 28, made five appearances and three starts at the end of last season with the Pittsburgh Pirates, allowing 10 hits and eight runs in 8 2/3 innings. He made all three of his starts against the Reds. In the minor leagues, he had a 1.99 ERA in 58 2/3 innings at Triple-A.
Christian Santana, 1B/3B – Playing in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League for the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Triple-A affiliate, Santana had a .301 batting average with 20 doubles, eight homers and 51 RBI in 91 games. The right-handed hitter had a strong season against lefties, which was a major weakness for the Reds in 2021.
Trey Wingenter, RHP – Wingenter missed most of the 2021 season as he recovered from Tommy John surgery, but he made 51 relief appearances with the Padres in 2019 (5.65 ERA, 72 strikeouts, 28 walks in 51 innings). The 6-foot-7 reliever features a wipeout slider with his mid-90s fastball and provides depth for the Reds’ bullpen.
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