Reds Lock Up Oswaldo Cabrera for $1 Million — the First Real Offseason Move

Reds fans spent all summer watching a last-place club. Thursday they finally got an offseason move that actually happened.

Our Take: This is not a splash signing. It is a smart, cheap utility piece with an option left — exactly the kind of depth Cincinnati spent 2026 wishing it had.

Per Red Reporter's Wick Terrell, the Reds announced a one-year deal with switch-hitting utilityman Oswaldo Cabrera for 2027. MLB.com's Mark Sheldon reported a $1 million base salary with up to $200K in bonuses. Cincinnati claimed Cabrera off waivers from the Yankees on Sept. 18 with nine games left; he went 4-for-13, stole a base, and played third base and left field. He has played everywhere except catcher. Terrell notes he still has one option remaining, so Louisville is available if Juan Brito wins the utility job or Cincinnati prefers a different 26th man.

What we want next: more of this — early clarity on bench and pitching depth, not another winter of waiting. Go Reds.

Sources: Red Reporter on Cabrera deal, MLB.com announcement coverage