Wonderful: The Reds landed two All-Stars and received some  MVP Votes for the first time

Shin-Soo Choo got on base at a crazy 42.3% rate for the Cincinnati Reds during the 2013 season, finally earning some down-ballot MVP votes before entering free agency for the first time. Choo signed a hefty 7-year, $130 million contract with the Texas Rangers later that winter after the Reds extended him a qualifying offer, which he correctly declined.

Because of the declined QO, the Reds received a compensation pick in the 2014 MLB Draft, which they used to choose Stanford infielder Alex Blandino with the 28th overall pick the following summer.

Blandino’s Reds career never really took off, despite the fact that he succeeded sufficiently in the minor leagues to earn the opportunity to play in 135 games over three seasons. After being released by the Reds, he was picked up by the San Francisco Giants, traded to the Seattle Mariners for former Reds draftee (and current Red) Stuart Fairchild, and released by the Mariners at the end of the 2022 season. He missed the entire 2023 season after representing Team Nicaragua in the World Baseball Classic, but he is finally officially back in the game – and back with the Reds.

Blandino is back with the Reds on a minor league deal, thanks to Gingersaurus Rex on Twitter. Lefty Reiver Sanmartin, who was non-tendered earlier this month while recuperating from Tommy John surgery, joins him in rejoining the Reds.

Welcome back to two old friends, even if neither is likely to make much – if any – of an impact in the major leagues in 2024.

Old people in old places!