Cubs DFA Ryan Freel

A year ago, I would have thought Ryan Freel for this team would be an absolute no brainer, but now I'm debating whether he's worth the risk or even better then what we currently have on the bench.

Freel has spent time with two different teams this season and it's been a struggle.

He was traded to the Orioles for Ramon Hernandez in the off-season and both sides were disappointed, the Orioles thought they were getting an impact player and Freel wasn't getting playing time. He played in nine games (15 AB) for Baltimore and hit .133 with a .350 OBP, .133 Slg. pct.

Freel was then traded to the Cubs for Joey Gathright where he played 14 games with a .143 BA and a .233 OBP and a .143 SLg. pct. The Cubs acquired catcher Jeff Baker from the Rockies and DFA Freel to make room for the new catcher (source MLBTR).

Freel is a 33 y/o right handed hitting super utility player with a lifetime BA of .269, OBP .355 and SLg. Pct. .371. Predominantly an outfielder, he has the range to play center and has also played 3B and 2B. The Reds contemplated using him at 1B while he extensively practiced the position ( from what I recall reading) he never made it into a game.

Many players seem to be hitting a wall at 33 y/o is Freel one of those or is 44 AB's too small a sample pool to make that decision. Would Freel be a better option then Dan Murphy or Mike Lamb.

I know with the Reds, Freel was considered one of those, David Eckstien over achieving, scrappy, hardworking type of players