FalconBlog--Triumphs and Trials in the BGSU Falcon Nation

Reds Sign Aurilia

Hopefully, this will not cut into Lopez' chance to prove he is a major league SS, but is considered a stopgap to the injury and visa plagued Anderson Machado. Aurilia, as noted in the wire copy below, has done nothing in three seasons, and was a reserve for some average teams.

Not a bad guy for off the bench. If you see him start regularly, we're in trouble.

PS--He can play around the IF.

In 2001, Aurilia received a Silver Slugger Award as the best offensive shortstop in the National League after setting career-highs with a .324 average, 37 home runs and 97 RBI with the San Francisco Giants. He also led the NL with 206 hits that year and finished 12th in the league's Most Valuable Player voting.

In three seasons since then, however, Aurilia has managed to hit just .260 with 34 homers and 163 RBI. He split last season between the Seattle Mariners and San Diego Padres, batting .246 with six homers and 44 RBI.