BREAKING: Cincinnati Reds re-sign former first baseman to another lucrative deal in free agency

The Cincinnati Reds have been active in free agency recently, primarily focusing on minor league signings. They continued that trend by bringing back P.J. Higgins on a minor league deal. Higgins previously spent the 2024 season with the organization, playing for Triple-A Louisville.

Higgins has some major league experience, appearing in 83 games for the Chicago Cubs across the 2021 and 2022 seasons. The bulk of his playing time came in 2022 when he batted .229/.310/.383 while covering catcher, first base, and third base—positions he also played in 2024 with Louisville.

The 31-year-old has a solid track record in Triple-A but struggled at the plate in 2024. Before joining the Reds, he posted a .313/.394/.490 slash line over 249 Triple-A games with the Cubs and Diamondbacks. However, last season with Louisville, he hit .259/.320/.385, experiencing a career-high strikeout rate and a noticeable decline in power.

Following the departure of several catchers from Double-A to the majors in free agency, the Reds have prioritized adding depth at the position, including acquiring Jose Trevino via trade. Higgins’ return provides additional depth at the upper levels, preparing the organization for the inevitable need to shuffle catchers due to injuries. While he primarily played first base last season, starting 27 of his 134 games as a catcher, his versatility remains valuable.