GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- Let go by the Marlins in November, Derek Dietrich spent his offseason staying ready, being patient and hoping to find the best fit on a new club.

That proved to be the Reds, who signed Dietrich to a Minor League deal on Tuesday. Not only was he happy to have a place to play when he arrived in the clubhouse on Wednesday, the 29-year-old knew his versatility would give him a better chance to make the team. Dietrich plays first base, second base, third base and left field.

“For me, I knew that I’m familiar with how I’m going to be utilized,” said Dietrich, who will earn $2 million with a possible $500,000 in performance bonuses this season if he makes the team out of camp. “I think we both, the team and myself, felt that I was very capable of filling the role that I will be in. Obviously, being close to home, where I grew up, played a factor in it. I love that ballpark. A really good team that’s competing to win, make the playoffs and hopefully go deep into them, I was ready to be a part of something new. Fresh start here.”

Dietrich hails from Cleveland and went to St. Ignatius High School. His grandfather, Steve Demeter, played in 15 big league games with the Tigers and Indians over the 1959 and ’60 seasons.

Reds manager David Bell spent a few minutes talking with Dietrich but hasn’t determined his role on what is expected to be a four-man bench. The club does need a backup first baseman behind Joey Votto. Dietrich is a left-handed hitter who throws right-handed.

“I think it’s a good opportunity for him. We’re happy to have him,’ Bell said. “I’ve seen him play a lot, but we haven’t mapped out an exact plan for what positions he will play. I think he moved around enough that he will be able to adapt to that.”

Dietrich already knew a few of his new teammates. He played with Anthony DeSclafani and was on the field for the pitcher’s Major League debut. When Dietrich played for Georgia Tech, he took catcher Tucker Barnhart around campus as he was recruited by the school.

“Good group of guys here,” Dietrich said. “Just looking forward to learning everyone’s name and face and getting ready to go to battle with each and every one of them, which makes it exciting.”

Lineup construction an ongoing process
Bell grew up as the son and grandson of Major League players and played in the big leagues himself. Despite an old-school background, he also expected to use different parameters for constructing his lineup -- including analytics.

“Nothing real strict. It’s more of a guide,” Bell said on Wednesday. “It makes sense to me that you have one of the top hitters hitting second. It makes sense to me you have a guy who can get on-base leading off. It makes sense that you want -- if not your best hitter with power -- hitting fourth. That’s not a lot different than how we’ve always seen it. But it can open your eyes to making a decision, whereas in the past you did it just because they always did it.”

Bell, who hasn’t revealed what he’s leaning toward for a regular lineup, also felt players feelings about a certain spot could be considered.

“I think there is some psychology in there and I think communication is a big part of that,” he said. “I’ve read where if you maximize your lineup every single game, you get yourself one win per year. That’s amazing. I don’t know … but one game is good. We’ll take that.”

Bell still establishing his routine
During Spring Training, some managers like to park in one spot and watch the action on all the fields. Others like to get hands-on with instruction. Bell hasn’t determined what his best way is, yet.

“I haven’t found my routine yet,” Bell said. “I’m trying really hard. I'm trying to see as much as I possibly can. Maybe that is the routine. I do identify a couple of things I want to see and am a part of. Outside of that, I just roam around and be available as much as possible.”

Bell does let his coaches devise and implement some of their own ideas for drills. For example, catching/third-base coach J.R. House has done some new things with the catchers, including firing baseballs at them from the top of a ladder.

“That was important for our staff to have the freedom to be creative and use their experiences,” Bell said. “At the same time, we also stressed collaboration. It’s also important that we communicate. You’re going to add more to what you’re doing if you get more opinions. We all really believe in that.”