SF Giants News: Jason Vosler follows unusual path in signing with Reds

The Cincinnati Reds added quality depth on Wednesday by signing former SF Giants infielder Jason Vosler to a minor league deal. His contract includes a camp invite. It is no surprise to see the left-handed bat find a new home for 2023 but it took an odd turn before he landed in Cincinnati.

SF Giants News: Jason Vosler follows unusual path in signing with Reds

If you look at Vosler's transaction log, you will see that he signed a minor league deal with the Seattle Mariners in the middle of January. Right around that same time, former Giants infielder Tommy La Stella signed with Seattle as well.

Oddly enough, the Mariners also just added right-handed pitcher Kyle Tyler on a minors pact. Why is that weird? The last organization he played with was San Francisco.

Anyone who watched Giants in 2022 knows that the Giants and Mariners shared a lot of players, especially early in the year. Mike Ford, Kevin Padlo, Donovan Walton, Curt Casali, Stuart Fairchild, and Matthew Boyd just to name a few.

If you wanted to play for one team, you had to go through the other. Those were the rules in 2022. La Stella, Tyler, and Vosler are some of the next names in line be part of both organizations. However, Vosler's stay with Seattle was very brief as he was released at the end of January.

Usually when a player signs a deal and gets released shortly thereafter, it is typically a sign that the player has a deal to play overseas. That was not the case with the corner infielder as he quickly found a new home with the Reds. It is an odd move to go from one major league team to another like that, but perhaps, Vosler thought that Cincinnati would offer a better chance at playing time.

After all, the Reds posted a 62-100 record last year and look to be in the midst of a long rebuild. The addition of Vosler gives them a major league bat and some versatility. In parts of two seasons with the Giants, the 29-year-old slashed .228/.306/.421 (100 OPS+) with seven home runs, 21 RBI, and 26 runs in 193 plate appearances.

This includes a .732 OPS against right-handed pitching. Vosler spent the bulk of his time in the field at third base, but has experience all around the field. He gives the Reds quality depth for an organization that seems light on it. It would not be surprising to see him carve out a role for them next season.