5 Baseball Players who Played for Reds and Cubs
There is a good chance that if you’ve found this page then you’re playing the Immaculate Grid.
That also means that today’s grid has asked for players that have played for both the Cincinnati Reds and Chicago Cubs.
And, it also means that you’re probably stuck on this particular box and you’re looking for a little help. Sound about right so far?
Well, good news, you’re in the right place.
I’ve done some research and have found players who played for both the Reds and the Cubs.
Aroldis Chapman
Aroldis Chapman, nicknamed “The Cuban Missile,” is a pitcher known for his blazing fastball, which has been clocked as high as 105 miles per hour. Chapman made his debut with Cincinnati and was an integral part of the Reds’ bullpen, earning multiple All-Star selections during his tenure with the team.
In late 2015, he was traded to the New York Yankees, but his time in New York was initially short-lived. In mid-2016, Chapman was traded to the Chicago Cubs, where he played a key role in helping the Cubs win the World Series, their first in over 100 years.
After that season, Chapman went back to the Yankees where he continued to have major success, including three additional All-Star selections.
Chapman Key Stats
- All-Star (Reds, Yankees)
- World Series Champ (Cubs)
Benito Santiago
As a young catcher growing up, I remember seeing Benito Santiago throwing players out from his knees and thought it was the coolest thing ever and something I remember imitating in Little League games.
But, that’s not what matters here. What matters is that 5 time All-Star Benito Santiago played for 9 different teams throughout this 20 year career which makes him an absolute force on the Immaculate Grid.
Santiago played for Padres, Giants, Reds, (Florida) Marlins, Blue Jays, Royals, Pirates, Phillies and Cubs.
Nick Castellanos
Nick Castellanos made his MLB debut with the Detroit Tigers in 2013, where he spent the first 7 seasons of his career. In Detroit, he developed into a reliable source of power and run production.
In 2019, Castellanos was traded to the Chicago Cubs, where he had a strong finish to the season, hitting .321 with 16 home runs in just 51 games. Following this stint with the Cubs, he’s continued on to the Reds and now the Phillies and continues to improve as his career progresses.
Up to this point, he has been awarded multiple accolades, including being named an All-Star twice and winning a Silver Slugger award.
Castellanos Key Stats
- All-Star (Reds, Phillies)
- Silver Slugger (Reds)
- 100+ RBI Season (Tigers, Reds)
Jim Edmonds
Jim Edmonds was a superstar in baseball from 1993 to 2010, mostly known for his time with the Angels and Cardinals, but also played for the Padres, Reds, Cubs and Brewers. Edmonds was a serious threat at the plate and a wizard in the outfield, helping the Cardinals snag a World Series ring in 2006.
He hit over 390 home runs and kept a solid .284 batting average throughout his career. Edmonds was selected for the All-Star game four times and earned eight Gold Gloves for his spectacular defensive plays.
Bobby Ayala
Bobby Ayala was a relief pitcher for 8 seasons. He is best known for his time with the Mariners, but he also played for the Reds, Cubs and Montreal Expos (now the Nationals).
Ayala was often used as a closer and/or setup man, accumulating over 60 saves during his career.
However, his time in Seattle was marred by inconsistency and he became a controversial figure among fans. Despite this, he had a couple of strong seasons, particularly in 1994 when he posted a 2.86 ERA. Even with his ups and downs, Ayala was a frequent figure on the mound during the ’90s.
