It comes as little surprise that Connor Joe, a midseason pickup by the Cincinnati Reds this year, has opted to test the free agency waters. After all, his time in Cincinnati will likely not be remembered fondly by him or the fans. But Joe’s middling year and hasty departure can serve as a reminder of the dangers of quick fix transactions.
The Reds traded for Joe in early May in the wake of Tyler Callihan’s gruesome season-ending injury. Although Joe had historically been a serviceable fourth outfielder and first-base option, he had been on a downward slide and had spent most of the early season with the Padres’ Triple-A affiliate.