Cincinnati Reds Sign Michael Chavis to Minor League Deal

The Cincinnati Reds are taking a low-risk swing on a once-hyped bat. They’ve signed infielder Michael Chavis to a minor league deal with an invitation to big league spring training.

This move brings the 30-year-old back to Major League Baseball after a short stop in Japan. Cincinnati gets another versatile depth piece as they sort through a pretty unsettled infield heading into 2025.

Reds Add Former First-Rounder Michael Chavis on Minor League Deal

The agreement with Chavis looks like a classic winter move: low cost, no promises, but some real upside if he finds his groove. For a Reds club juggling injuries, defensive mix-ups, and shaky performances from key infielders, a veteran with power and flexibility just makes sense.

The deal includes:

A Career That Started with First-Round Expectations

Chavis once looked like a cornerstone in Boston’s future. The Red Sox drafted him in the first round in 2014, and he quickly built a reputation as a power threat.

His breakout happened in 2017, when he smashed 31 home runs in the minors and landed on the national prospect map. That power showed up right away in his 2019 rookie season.

In a year defined by the “juiced ball,” Chavis hit 18 home runs in 382 plate appearances. Scouts had projected that kind of thump, and he delivered. Still, there were warning signs under the surface.

Power with a Price: The Strikeout Problem

Even when things went well, Chavis’ offensive game came with a big swing-and-miss problem. His rookie year brought plenty of power, but also a 33.2% strikeout rate—a number that stuck with him as he moved between teams.

Across 1,186 major league plate appearances, Chavis has put up these numbers:

Below-Average Production Despite 42 Homers

Sure, 42 homers in limited big league time sounds decent, but context matters. His overall line adds up to an 80 wRC+, so he’s produced offense at about 20% below league average.

The main issues? A high strikeout rate and a low walk rate. Chavis’ career 31.9% strikeout rate paired with a 5.4% walk rate has held him back from maximizing his power.

When he’s locked in, he’s dangerous. But when his swing gets long and he starts chasing, pitchers have little trouble beating him.

Recent Signs of Life in Triple-A

Before his quick stint in Japan, Chavis quietly made some changes at Triple-A that probably caught Cincinnati’s eye. Since early 2024, his Triple-A production has looked more like that of a solid big league bench bat than a Quad-A slugger.

During that stretch, Chavis put up a .270/.339/.483 line, showing some impact and a bit more polish at the plate.

Cutting the Strikeouts, Keeping the Power

The biggest positive has been fewer strikeouts. His strikeout rate dropped to 22.3%, which is a huge improvement over his MLB numbers and much closer to average.

If that adjustment holds up—and it’s not just a minor league illusion—Chavis suddenly looks a lot more interesting. He’s a right-handed bat with real pop who might be able to hold his own with contact and on-base skills.

Defensive Versatility Fits Reds’ Roster Needs

What separates Chavis from some other slugging journeymen is his ability to move around the diamond. These days, positional flexibility is almost required for a bench role, and his defensive resume actually helps.

Chavis has logged time at:

Depth for a Fluid and Uncertain Infield

The Reds’ infield situation is anything but settled. With injuries, position experiments, and players coming off uneven seasons, Cincinnati needs backup plans behind its starters.

Chavis brings exactly that. With one minor league option left, he’s not just a spring training flier—he’s a handy piece of roster depth. The Reds can move him between Triple-A and the majors as needed, without having to DFA him every time they shuffle things around.

Low-Risk Move with Modest but Real Upside

This signing probably won’t make huge waves, but these quieter moves can actually matter over a long season. If Chavis keeps up his Triple-A changes and manages the strikeouts, the Reds might just get a handy right-handed bat who can cover several spots on defense.

If things don’t work out, well, the cost is pretty low. Honestly, that’s the whole point of a minor league deal—hardly any risk, plenty of roster flexibility, and at least a shot at something worthwhile. Cincinnati’s taking a reasonable chance that Chavis, once a promising hitter, might have a little more left in the tank for the majors.

 
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