Reds sign Derek Dietrich to a minor league contract

by — February 12, 2020 in Transactions

Dietrich played for the Reds last year. He hit 17 home runs in April and May and 2 otherwise. Dietrich hit his last long ball on July 13 and had none in his final 63 plate appearances. The Reds non-tendered him in January. Dietrich declined assignment to a Reds minor league club, became a free agent, shopped around and ended up back with the Reds.

The Reds signed Mike Moustakas to play 2B. With Eugenio Suarez undergoing shoulder surgery and questionable for being ready on Opening Day, the Reds may be looking for organizational depth. If he’s able to shake off the deep slump he suffered through the second half of last season, Dietrich could fill a similar role as Josh VanMeter.

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Steve Mancuso

Steve Mancuso is a lifelong Reds fan who grew up during the Big Red Machine era. He’s been writing about the Reds for more than ten years. Steve’s fondest memories about the Reds include attending a couple 1975 World Series games, being at Homer Bailey’s second no-hitter and going nuts for Jay Bruce at Clinchmas. Steve was also at all three games of the 2012 NLDS, but it’s too soon to talk about that.

3 Responses

  1. pinson343 says:
    February 12, 2020 at 6:00 PM

    I like this, the injury to his left shoulder affected his swing in a big way, he might come back strong.

  2. Zachariah Slade says:
    February 13, 2020 at 2:17 PM

    Well Deitz is a huge Hometown favorite! I would probably look at Farmer to start at 3rd on Opening Day if Suarez can’t go, or maybe they even move Moose over there. It is great for Deitrich and the Reds Fanbase to see DD invited to spring training. If he doesn’t make the 26 man, it will still be nice for everybody to see him in a Reds uniform again this spring, and whether he end up in Louisville or Chattanooga, those cities are Reds Country and I believe starting Deitrich in either one of those cities will result in an increase in ticket sales.
    I already have plans to attend Opening Day, in which,God forbid will not be the last for the 135 years old Chattanooga Lookouts.
    To see Derek Deitrich starting in that lineup would be something really special.

    Of course, let’s hope he amazes all of us and finds a spot on that 26 man roster and can make an impact on this exciting upcoming 2020 season!

    • Steve Mancuso says:
      February 13, 2020 at 2:39 PM

      Dietrich is a long shot. It would require several injuries for him to make the Opening Day roster, even if he’s healthy. The last four months of 2019 he was hurt/slumping and became unplayable. He needed a landing spot from which to launch a comeback and the Reds made as much sense as anyone. Don’t be surprised if he has a decent spring, fails to make the roster and gets released to sign with another club.

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