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3 MLB teams that should sign Derek Dietrich

By Steven Kubitza

CINCINNATI, OH - JULY 21: Derek Dietrich #22 of the Cincinnati Reds bats during a game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Great American Ball Park on July 21, 2019 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Cardinals won 3-1. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OH - JULY 21: Derek Dietrich #22 of the Cincinnati Reds bats during a game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Great American Ball Park on July 21, 2019 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Cardinals won 3-1. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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Derek Dietrich
CINCINNATI, OH – JULY 21: Derek Dietrich #22 of the Cincinnati Reds bats during a game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Great American Ball Park on July 21, 2019 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Cardinals won 3-1. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

Derek Dietrich should find a new home soon.

The Cincinnati Reds granted veteran Derek Dietrich his release Monday just days before the start of the 2020 MLB season.

He was brought back in 2020 on a minor league deal after posting a 1.0 WAR in his debut season with the Reds in 2019. While he may have cracked the roster in a normal season, the team made it clear he was not a part of the plans and now he is free to seek a new team.

Dietrich is a versatile player who can play nearly every position on defense and sports a career slash line of .246/.334/.427. His ability to play all over and his veteran experience make him an intriguing option for several teams.

3. Cleveland Indians

The Indians signed Cesar Hernandez to play second base in 2020 and third base is firmly held down by Jose Ramirez. Adding Dietrich would allow him to at least be on the taxi squad and also fight for at-bats in the outfield.

There is not exactly a shortage of players in the Indians outfield. Tyler Naquin and Bradley Zimmer are both returning from injuries, while Domingo Santana and Delino DeShields are new faces in the packed bunch.

Yet it never hurts to add more veteran talent, especially in a year when a few positive COVID-19 tests seem to be inevitable. Dietrich is a Cleveland native who played his high school ball at St. Ignatius High School. He is routinely a positive-WAR player and getting him back in his hometown on a one-year, shortened deal only adds to the team’s talent pool.

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