Mike Freeman Joins Reds' Camp After Indians Send Him To A Better Opportunity

 

 

 

The Reds have added 33-year old Mike Freeman to add to its infield depth.

The left handed hitting second and third baseman was let go by the Cleveland Indians and will join the Reds this afternoon at their camp in Goodyear.

"It came down to the Reds and us this off season," said Indians manager Terry Francona.  "We told him that if there was ever a better opportunity for him we would let him take it.  I talked to Buddy and David (Bell) and told them they were getting not only a good player but a good guy."

The Reds could use him as a back up for Mike Moustakas at second base and Eugenio Suarez at third base.  It would give them a left handed bat to rest Suarez, who bats right handed.

Freeman has also played 24 games at shortstop, an open position on the Reds this spring.  He has played first base and the outfield in his five Major League seasons.

He has played with Arizona, with whom he made his debut in 2016, Seattle, the Los Angeles Dodgers. the Chicago Cubs and the Indians for the last two seasons.

Freeman played 99 of his 156 games for Cleveland, with 75 in 2019 in which he hit .277 with four home runs and 24 RBI.   His slash line was .277/.362/.390. 

The native of Orlando, Florida and Clemson University grad has also pitched in two games to mop up.

This spring he is 5-for-15 with a home run in six Cactus League contests.

"It is hard to let go of someone you think so much about," Francona said. "But knowing he is going to get a better opportunity makes it easier."