Reds close to signing infielder
It appears that the Reds are dipping their toes into the free agent waters for the first time this off-season.
It’s nowhere near the deep end of the pool, however.
MLB.com has learned that the Reds are close to signing infielder Emmanuel Burriss to a Minor League contract. Baseball America was first to report a deal is in place, but the club has yet to make an announcement.
Burriss, 27, was cut loose by the Giants as he was first-year eligible for arbitration this winter. In 60 games during 2012, he batted .213. In parts of five big league seasons since 2008, he is a .243 lifetime hitter.
Defensively, Burriss has primarily played second base but can also play shortstop, third base and left field.
Mark Sheldon
.213/.270/.221 batting line in 150 plate appearances in 2012. Appears to be nothing more than a universal position player that can’t hit; ala: Valdez.
You are judging him on one season. He has a .243 lifetime AVG. and is much younger than Valdez. He can steal bases and be a Role Player off the Bench. Appears perfect to me.
Valdez was exactly a .243 hitter before last season, and Valdez still has a better slugging percentage and OPS than Burris. This had better be an organizational depth signing, rather than a guy who will ever be playing in GABP
Just started checking him out and it looks like he has a pretty good glove, which would be good when the team needs to rest players.
Great, Another left fielder Dusty can use as an excuse to sit Frazier.