Reds Gamble On Cuban Rodriguez

CINCINNATI—The Reds gambled nearly $9 million that 22-year-old Cuban shortstop Alfredo Rodriguez is the safest bet on the international market.

They signed Rodriguez  for $7 million during the July 2 international signing period, and they will pay a little less than $9 million total when including the penalties for going over their bonus-pool allotment.

Only one other international free agent had signed for more than $7 million nearly two weeks into the signing period. Rodriguez’s age and experience convinced the Reds to sign the 2014 Cuban rookie of the year.

“Most importantly, we just look at it as a value proposition for ourselves,” president of baseball operations Walt Jocketty said. “And if this guy is a future everyday major league shortstop—and our scouts are confident that he is—then (his) signing bonus . . . is very appropriate.”

The Reds have been heavily involved in scouting Cuba, and they have made big splashes in the past with lefthander Aroldis Chapman and righthander Raisel Iglesias. Rodriguez is the first Cuban position prospect to receive a large bonus from the Reds.

In addition to the scouting department, the Reds sent Hall of Fame shortstop Barry Larkin to check in on Rodriguez at private workouts. Rodriguez even signed his contract wearing a No. 11 Reds jersey—the number retired for Larkin.

In Cuba, Rodriguez won the gold glove in his rookie year of 2014, though he also hit just .265/.301/.284. His bat didn’t show much promise in Cuba, but the Reds believe in his ability to improve with age and instruction.

“It has been a while since he has played in the Cuban league,” general manager Dick Williams said. “Our scouts saw marked improvement the last year and a half in his physique, his workouts and ability to hit.

“They liked what they were seeing and the improvements they were seeing.”

RED HOTS

• The Reds promoted Tennessee third baseman Nick Senzel and Clemson catcher Chris Okey, the club’s first- and second-round picks this year, to Low Class A Dayton after less than two weeks at Rookie-level Billings. The Reds want to keep them together.

• The Reds outrighted corner outfielder Juan Duran off the 40-man roster in July. He served an 80-game suspension at the outset of 2016 for performance-enhancing drug use.