Cincinnati Reds Devin Mesoraco searches for role on “new” team

The last time that Devin Mesoraco played everyday for the Cincinnati Reds, they were playoff contenders.

Devin Mesoraco must get used to his new role with the Cincinnati Reds.  Tucker Barnhart is the starting catcher now.  He just won the National League Gold Glove Award.

The ground is moving under Mesoraco’s feet.  He was the conquering hero the last time that he was healthy for an entire season.  Granted Mesoraco last played more than sixty games in a season all the way back in 2014.

That was the first year after the Reds sent veterans Bronson Arroyo, Ryan Hanigan, and Scott Rolen packing.  Todd Frazier and Mesoraco had to step up.  They ended up first and second on the team in home runs.

Mesoraco made the All Star team in 2014.  He even received a few MVP votes.  He had that good of a year.

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This was on the heels of a 2013 season that saw Mesoraco establish himself as the starting catcher for the Reds.  With Hanigan gone, Barnhart become the top back-up catcher.  Three years later and Barnhart is the starter.

That 2013 season, though, was special.  It was the first time in Mesoraco’s career that he played over 100 games at the big league level.  He also showed the truest form of himself.

With Mesoraco stuck with the Cincinnati Reds as the back-up expectations must be muted.

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The trade market for Mesoraco is light for two reasons.  The first reason is Jonathan Lucroy.  His free agency is keeping many of the other catchers in place.

The other reason is that Mesoraco is a .240 hitter.  He batted .273 in 2014, but that is his only year above .240.  Figuring that health will help a little bit, Mesoraco is a .240 hitter.

Figuring that he is looking at a part-time or platoon situation with his next team, he will hit about ten home runs and drive in about fifty runs.  With the Reds he is more an eight HR, forty RBI guy.

Of course that means that he stays healthy.

Mesoraco needs to settle in to the idea that he is a back-up catcher or a late inning pinch hitter if the Reds find themselves with three catchers.  He is not a 140 game catcher.  Fact of the matter is that 2014 is the only year that he was even close to that.

Next: The Reds should just go with a six man rotation!

Heading into 2018 Mesoraco, as well as everyone else, has to realize this.  He also has to re-establish himself.  Otherwise, his career will become another case of what might have been.