Cincinnati Reds’ curious case of the future of Adam Duvall

What should the Cincinnati Reds do about Adam Duvall during the off-season after this season ends?

The Cincinnati Reds face a decision that may not be all that hard in regards to Adam Duvall this off-season.  When do they decide to move him?  Do they decide to move him?  Do they bat him second and see what happens?

Last season, Duvall’s first full MLB season, Duvall made it to the All-Star Game and was arguably the second best player on the team behind the best offensive player in the National League, Joey Votto.  He has followed that up with an even better season.  Top all of that off with his Gold Glove level defense and he is a superstar in the making.

That is what makes Duvall unsuitable for the Reds.  He will make too much money at too common of a defensive position to be worth the Reds keeping him around.  They have to plan what to do about this “problem”.

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Next year is the last season that the Reds don’t have to worry about his ballooning salary from arbitration.  Once the 2018 season ends, either the negotiations or the concern about the arbitration outcome will be on the  Reds’ minds.  That is why the Reds need to get this out in front of the issue now.

The Cincinnati Reds must decide whether Adam Duvall may be the next man to lead the team or just another hitter.

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These are the facts of a small market team.  The Reds have to think about whether to trade Dvuall before he hits his peak.  Most teams can decide after a player’s skills begin to erode.

Duvall’s early career has resembled former New York Yankee Kevin Maas’ in many ways.  Where it has been markedly different is Duvall’s defense.  His elite defense belies a high level of athleticism.

Duvall, though, has age going against him.  He is already 28 and turns 29 this September.

His slow start to his MLB career means that he is closer to going downhill than others around him.

So the Reds must decide who among Duval, Jesse Winker, Billy Hamilton, and Scott Schebler must go in the next two seasons.  Hamilton was nearly traded this past off-season and may be the one to go.  His defense will bring a good return from the right team.

Next: Duvall impresses while outfield underwhelms

Whatever happens, the Reds need to be thinking about this now.  They lack depth in this minor leagues of MLB ready starting pitching, but not outfielders.  Their decisions going forward must always look a few years into the future so they can avoid the current style of rebuild they are undertaking.