Blinksportsnews247Reds supporters, it’s almost here! Next week, pitchers and catchers will report to Goodyear, Arizona; position players will follow suit. Opening Day, Cactus League games, and full team exercises will arrive sooner rather than later.
Are the Cincinnati Reds, nevertheless, prepared to play? The Reds front office and president of baseball operations Nick Krall have done a fantastic job of signing free agents this offseason, but there are still some voids on the roster.
Even though Krall had previously said he was done with most large transfers, he left open the possibility of doing a deal or even just a few little signings. What three changes can Reds fans expect to see prior to the start of spring training the following week?
Predicting 3 roster moves Reds will make before 2024 spring training
Reds ink a minor-league contract with another seasoned starter.
One can never have too many throwing opportunities? After going through 14 different starting pitchers in the previous season, the Cincinnati Reds most definitely demonstrated that. But Nick Krall saw the issue and took action over the summer.
The Reds rotation is deeper than it has been in a long time, including players like Brett Kennedy, Connor Overton, and Luis Cessa at different periods throughout the last year. During free agency, Cincinnati signed Nick Martinez and Frankie Montas, and the team anticipates that several of its young pitchers will mature into front-line starters by 2024.
One might argue that Montas, Hunter Greene, Nick Lodolo, and Graham Ashcraft are certain starters on Opening Day based on the roster as it is right now. It will probably come down to Martinez and rookie Andrew Abbott from the previous season for that last berth. But the Reds also have Carson Spiers, Levi Stoudt, Connor Phillips, Lyon Richardson, and Brandon Williamson in the bullpen.
However, spending the money to bring in another seasoned starter with some track record would be prudent. To be honest, Ben Lively would have been ideal, but the Reds chose to cut ties with the right-hander, who subsequently signed a free agency contract with the Cleveland Guardians.
To provide the Reds’ rotation some more depth and to offer minor league innings when some of these other young pitchers are surely sent back and forth between I-71 during the 2024 season, the team might sign Zach Davies, Julio Teherán, or even Chase Anderson. Although Tyler Gilbert signed a minor-league contract earlier in the summer, it wouldn’t hurt to have another starter.
Reds permanently move Jose Barrero to the outfield
As the Cincinnati Reds are showing, you can never have too many pitchers, but you can never have too many infielders. Cincinnati have a greater number of quality infield players than nearly any other big league team, partly because to the Reds’ refusal to sell Jonathan India this winter and their arrival of Jeimer Candelario.
However, Jose Barrero is no longer considered a good choice. Barrero would need a lot of things to go wrong before he found himself lining up on the infield dirt, with Elly De La Cruz slated to start at shortstop and players like Matt McLain and Noelvi Marte on the 40-man roster. Erik Gonzalez, a non-roster invitee, really stands a greater chance of making an impression than Barrero.
However, this does not imply Cincinnati should write off Barrero so quickly. Barrero hasn’t done anything to justify his place on the 40-man roster, but the Reds haven’t designated him for assignment or traded him yet. This would appear to indicate that the 25-year-old is being given one last opportunity to establish his worth on a major league team.
Barrero has to be shifted to the outfield permanently if that is how Nick Krall and David Bell are thinking. Barrero played nearly entirely at shortstop after being relegated down to the minor leagues last season, despite getting some experience there.
Why? That’s a really good question, and one that ought to have been raised last season when it became glaringly clear that shortstop wasn’t going to be his future in Cincinnati.
The Reds infield is packed—it’s practically overflowing. Jose Barrero has no space here. However, if the team is determined to give him another chance, it must come in the outfield. Barrero has the defensive abilities to make the switch, but whether or not he leaves the Reds camp will ultimately depend on his bat.
Reds get an outfielder who bats right-handed.
This offseason, this has been a recurring theme. One piece of the Reds’ roster that is really missing is a right-handed platoon bat to play in right field with Will Benson and Jake Fraley. To be honest, it would be better if that person could also play center field. Despite how much Reds Country adores TJ Friedl, Cincinnati currently lacks any real depth behind him.
The Reds need to find the right-handed hitting outfielder who can dominate against left-handed pitching, someone like Nick Senzel. Nick Krall still has time to call someone and get that last piece of the roster jigsaw in before spring training opens in a few days.
That last position appears to be up for grabs right now. Stuart Fairchild and the previously mentioned Jose Barrero are expected to be involved. Josh Harrison, who the Reds just signed to a minor-league contract, appears to be a strong candidate for the last roster position due to his versatility.
However, I don’t think Adam Duvall would look bad wearing a Reds outfit. Kyle Lewis appears to be a very excellent option for a bounce-back signing who might be signed for very little money. Michael A. Taylor would be ideal, but the Reds will definitely lose out on a bid for his services since he will undoubtedly get more interest.
Duvall believes that this is the right decision, but Robbie Grossman would be a good platoon player as well. In 2024, the Reds could also want to give Fraley and Benson more chances to play against left-handed pitchers. In that scenario, a platoon bat wouldn’t be required. Finding a right-handed hitting outfielder would, however, strengthen the squad ahead of spring training given their history.
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