GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- Which position might Spencer Steer play for the Reds this season?
Good question. There is no firm answer to that yet, which is just fine by Steer.
“I think it’s up in the air right now with what it’s going to look like," Steer said on Thursday. "So I’m just preparing for multiple spots in the outfield and the right side of the infield. I’m taking my reps in those spots, and we’ll see what happens.”
Steer was a National League Gold Glove Award finalist at first base last season, which was the first year he played the position full-time. Becoming a utility player after that isn't the usual trajectory.
The Reds are trying to find a place for top prospect Sal Stewart, a third baseman who is blocked by Gold Glove winner Ke'Bryan Hayes. Stewart is trying to win the job at first base. The club also signed free agent Eugenio Suárez, a third baseman who will serve as the designated hitter and also see time at first base.
That leaves left field as one open spot for Steer. But there will be needs elsewhere around the field, depending on injuries, matchups and game situations.
“The important thing about Steer is that he wants to do it," general manager Brad Meador said. "He likes to move around. He’s excited to do it -- and he’s excited to be healthy enough to do it. Part of the reason he got pushed to first base only was because of health.”
Being a veteran willing to move around can be a rare attitude.
“He’s such a good baseball player," Meador said.
"And he’s a good kid," manager Terry Francona interjected. "Put that together, and that’s what you’ve got. I remember last spring, he was so frustrated because he couldn’t throw. Every day, he was the cutoff man or he did something. He could have been in here working. He didn’t have to be out there. He did something every day. And he worked his [butt] off with Nap [coach Mike Napoli]."
At camp last year, Steer was still dealing with a sore right shoulder that lingered after the 2024 season in which he played mostly in left field. He got his work in daily and was able to avoid the injured list to open the season only because the Reds were already dealing with other key hitters on the IL.
“That’s the one thing you hear from guys who have been successful in this game for a long time: You always have to find ways to get better," Steer said. "It’s an everyday thing, no days off with that kind of stuff. When I wasn’t able to throw, I had to find ways to get better.”
Since Steer couldn't throw, Francona used him at DH for the first month of the 2025 season.
Over 24 games in March and April, Steer batted .174 with two home runs and endured a season-high 0-for-19 stretch. But Francona stuck with him and, once Steer's shoulder was able to handle playing first base, fortunes improved.
Steer slashed .238/.312/.411 with 21 homers and 75 RBIs in 146 games. He was also playing through a sore right quadriceps that bothered him for most of the season.
"I probably got off to the worst possible start I could have. I just battled every day," Steer said. "And I’m proud of myself for not giving in when I faced adversity early. When I looked at the season after I started playing first base and had the at-bats under my belt, I thought I played pretty well.”
To prepare for moving around, Steer didn't adjust his training much, though he did make a few tweaks.
"I did my normal speed work and tried to clean up some sprinting mechanics, so I don’t re-injure my quad," he said. "I think that had to do with my sprinting mechanics, and I cleaned that stuff up."
Steer, 28, will still see time at first base. Francona could move him there for defense late in games for Stewart. Steer could play second base on days Matt McLain is needed at shortstop to spell Elly De La Cruz. If Noelvi Marte isn't in right field, Steer could appear there. There will probably be starts in left field.
"It wouldn’t be the typical utility role," Francona said.
“I’m thankful that they trust me in that role [where] I can move around," Steer said. "I’m going to take that opportunity and run with it. Obviously, the more positions you can play, the more opportunity there is to get into the lineup and be out there and help the team win. Wherever that may be, I’m good with it.”