Reds add Strange-Gordon to bolster infield

CINCINNATI -- A utility player who has manned the shortstop position, veteran Dee Strange-Gordon has agreed to terms on a Minor League contract with the Reds, the team announced on Monday.

Strange-Gordon, who will turn 33 in April, will be at big league camp during Spring Training as a non-roster player likely to compete for a utility role.

A two-time All-Star, Strange-Gordon won a batting title and a Silver Slugger Award in 2015 with the Marlins, but he has not provided much offense recently. In '20 for the Mariners, he batted .200 in 33 games after posting a .275/.304/.359 slash line with 22 steals in 117 games the previous year.

Following Strange-Gordon's three seasons in Seattle, the M's declined to pick up his $14 million option after last season, which made him a free agent.

The speedy Strange-Gordon is MLB’s active leader in stolen bases, with 333 over his decade-long career. He’s reached the 20-steal mark eight times, the 30-steal mark six times, the 50-steal mark three times and the 60-steal mark twice.

Can Strange-Gordon still play shortstop enough to help fill a hole for the Reds? He came up at short for the Dodgers in 2011 before transitioning to second base in ’14. With the Mariners, he was more of a utility player, with only 11 starts at shortstop over the past three seasons (including two last season).

Strange-Gordon can also play left field and center field.

The Reds have spent the entire offseason trying to find a full-time shortstop, but they have come up empty on the free-agent market. Prospect Jose Garcia could still be an option, but he could also benefit from more time in the Minor Leagues. Utility players Kyle Farmer and Alex Blandino can also play shortstop for Cincinnati and are already on the 40-man roster, as is Rule 5 player Kyle Holder.