Jan
10
2011

Reds Sign Free Agent Outfielder Fred Lewis

An article by Hojo's Mojo

According to MLB.com, the Cincinnati Reds have agreed to a one year deal with free agent outfielder Fred Lewis that is worth $900K dollars.

Lewis batted .262 last season with a .332 on-base, and in 110 games, he had 8 home runs, 31 doubles, scored 70 runs and stole 17 bases batting mostly leadoff.

Our own Jim Mancari recently posted a piece on why he thought Lewis would be a good match with the Mets. He writes,

Lewis reminds me much like Pagan. He has good speed, plays good defense, has a little pop and plays better when given more opportunities.

Though the current Mets outfield should hopefully produce and not need too many days off, an injury is bound to occur. Carlos Beltran hasn’t played a full season since 2008, Jason Bay is coming off an injury, and last year was Pagan’s first full season.

Lewis would be able to fill in nicely should an injury occur. However, that would only be a temporary solution, unless of course Lewis plays like a stud.

Another plus to signing Lewis is that he has less than four years of big league service time, which means that the Reds can keep him through 2013 by offering arbitration.

About the Author: Rob Johnson

4 Comments + Add Comment

alwaysnextyear January 10, 2011 at 9:05 pm

I was not a big Lewis fan, but for that much, heck yes I would have signed him.
- XtreemIcon January 10, 2011 at 9:15 pm
  
  My feeling is, if the Mets need a 4th outfielder, let’s finally see what one of the kids can do. In a vacuum, Lewis is a good 4th outfielder. But with F-Mart, Duda and Evans all at a quad-A status, I say Evans should make the team as the 4th OF. It couldn’t hurt Duda to see more AAA action and F-Mart should be playing every day to build up his stamina one way or another.
  - alwaysnextyear January 10, 2011 at 10:39 pm
    
    I am assuming that Evans would be making the team too, but as a RH bat bench (lewis is lefty, right?), 5th OF and corner IF back up. Not really performing the same role.
    
    Duda I want on the team, but only if he is starting (or at least platooning, which is almost like starting for a LH batter).
    
    paulino/hu/evans/lewis/Emaus would have been a possible bench (of course, now substitute someone else for Lewis). Pridie? seems like a ton more production for that 1/2 mill upgrade to a guy like lewis.
BTF January 10, 2011 at 10:22 pm

This would have been a good signing for the Mets and I’m a little surprised they showed no interest considering his value at less than $1MM.

NL East Standings

Team	W	L	Pct.	GB
Braves	23	18	.561	-
Nationals	23	19	.548	0.5
Phillies	20	22	.476	3.5
Mets	16	23	.410	6.0
Marlins	11	31	.262	12.5

Last updated: 05/18/2013

MMO Mets Chat

Need Tickets To The Mets Game?

Check Out These Great MLB Links!

For wholesale prices on New York Mets gifts and equipment, check these stores out!
Mets Autograph Signings
Mets Fan Apparel
Mets Autographed Baseballs
Baseball Card Supplies
Baseball Equipment

For the best seats and lowest MLB ticket prices, go to PurchaseSeats.com. Get your Mets Tickets now and follow them on the road with Yankees Tickets, Phillies Tickets, Nationals Tickets and Braves Tickets!