Former All-Star Josh Harrison Opts Out of Deal With Hometown Cincinnati Reds

After being told he would not make the Cincinnati Reds' Opening Day roster, former Pittsburgh Pirates star Josh Harrison decided to enter free agency.

Veteran infielder Josh Harrison has opted out of his deal with the Cincinnati Reds, The Athletic's C. Trent Rosecrans reported Monday.

Harrison was informed he would not be making the Reds' Opening Day roster, and rather than heading to the minor leagues, he elected to re-enter free agency.

The Reds signed Harrison to a minor league contract in early February, at which point it seemed unlikely he would make it through every round of cuts. When young infielder Noelvi Marte got suspended 80 games due to PED use a month later, however, there was a sliver of hope that Harrison could end up playing for his hometown team.

The Cincinnati native was unable to capitalize on the opportunity, though, batting .250 with one RBI, one stolen base and a .650 OPS through eight Spring Training appearances.

FanGraphs is currently projecting non-roster invite Tony Kemp to make the Reds' Opening Day roster, presumably in Harrison's place.

Harrison spent 2023 with the Philadelphia Phillies, who wound up releasing him midway through the season. The infielder then latched on with the Texas Rangers, but he opted out of his minor league deal with the club after failing to reach the majors.

The 36-year-old was once a star for the Pittsburgh Pirates, and the 13-year veteran has proven valuable for long stretches of his big league career.

Harrison spent eight seasons in Pittsburgh, earning spots in the All-Star Game in both 2014 and 2017. Harrison finished ninth in NL MVP voting in 2014, hitting .315 with 13 homers, 52 RBI, 18 stolen bases, 38 doubles and an .837 OPS.

From 2014 to 2017, Harrison was a .290 hitter who split time between second base, third base and the outfield.

Although he hit .291 with a .794 OPS as a member of the Washington Nationals in 2020 and 2021, Harrison has not seen as much success at his other recent destinations. Harrison had a .480 OPS with the Detroit Tigers in 2019, a .637 OPS with the Oakland Athletics in 2021, a .687 OPS with the Chicago White Sox in 2022 and a .554 OPS with the Phillies in 2023.

Harrison now has 10 days to look for another spot before the regular season starts, or else he may have to accept another minor league deal to keep his career alive.

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