Newman's goal: Be a factor on and off field

GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- It was the kind of "shake and bake" teamwork that would make fictional racers Ricky Bobby and Cal Naughton Jr. enjoy watching baseball. On a practice field turning double plays recently, new Reds shortstop Kevin Newman broke to his left and scooped a grounder. In a blink, Newman made a perfect flip of the ball from his glove to second baseman Jonathan India while on the run.

Real smooth, especially considering they've worked together for hours -- as opposed to years.

“It was a funny random moment, a cool little play," said Newman, a 2021 National League Gold Glove finalist. "Definitely, Jonathan and I are taking a lot of reps together and getting used to each other’s game. That’s obviously a big thing.”

A member of the NL Central-rival Pirates his whole five-year big league career until being traded to Cincinnati on Nov. 18 for reliever Dauri Moreta, Newman has watched the Reds plenty as an opponent. He's played 55 games against the Reds, 28 of those at Great American Ball Park.

"Obviously playing against them a bunch over the past few years, I definitely enjoyed coming to Cincinnati and I really liked playing," Newman said. "I’m excited to have 81 [home] games here. It’s a great place to hit. I know we have a ton of really good, young arms and good young talent all around. It’s a great foundation, and I look forward to helping out wherever I can.”

Pittsburgh's Opening Day shortstop each of the previous three seasons, Newman's best season came in 2019, when he hit .308 with an .800 OPS, 12 home runs and 64 RBIs in 130 games.

In 2022, he hit .274/.316/.372 with two home runs and 24 RBIs in 78 games, missing time with a left groin strain before eventually losing his starting spot to heralded prospect Oneil Cruz.

Newman was moved to second base after returning.

"Injuries in general stink, no matter how they shake out," Newman said. "I spent most of my time at second base after that, but it’s part of the game. You’ve just got to take it for what it is and work as hard as you can at whatever position you’re in.”

Making $2.662 million this season after avoiding arbitration with the Reds, Newman is competing for the starting shortstop job with Jose Barrero. If it doesn't pan out that way, he would be a role player off the bench.

"I’ve told him to focus at short and as the spring goes, if things become clear he’s going to need to have more time at another position, we’ll talk," Reds manager David Bell said. "I think it’ll be an easy transition at that point for him, but right now the focus is at short. He’s just a good baseball player. We’ve seen him for a long time. He’s solid defensively. He makes contact. He does a lot of things that we’re looking for to help us win games. He’s just a phenomenal guy, and you can tell he’s going to fit right in on our team."

The Reds traded former shortstop Kyle Farmer to the Twins on the same day they acquired Newman in what essentially was a cost-saving move. Like Farmer, Cincinnati believes that Newman, 29, can provide a similar presence for a young clubhouse.

“It’s a big part of it and one of the reasons I am here," he said. "DB and I talked about me showing the younger guys a way to go and how to go about their business. It is super, super young here. A lot of these guys have unbelievable talent. Hopefully I can lead by example. That’s the sort of player I am. Keep your head down and go to work. Hopefully I can benefit the young guys, too.”