Cincinnati Reds: Are there any position players to pursue in free agency?

With pitching as the obvious priority, are there any position players the Cincinnati Reds should pursue in free agency during the offseason?

The 2018-19 free agent pool is loaded with talented position players, but the Cincinnati Reds should avoid all of them. The Reds have made it clear on multiple occasions that pitching is the priority this offseason. Cincinnati should stick to their plan and avoid the temptation of bringing in a position player this winter.

Manny Machado, Bryce Harper, Wilson Ramos, Mike Moustakas, those are just a few of the big name free agents available this offseason. While the Reds are unlikely to pursue a big name like Harper, there are some other players like World Series hero Steve Pearce and former MVP Josh Donaldson available as well. The Reds should steer clear of all of them.

While it’s always tempting to chase players with offensive prowess, the Cincinnati Reds are in great shape offensively with the group they currently have. Eugenio Suárez had a career-year in 2018 and the sky is the limit for the young third baseman whom the Reds have under contract for the next several years.

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Suárez isn’t the offensive threat the Reds have returning in 2019. Joey Votto, while he had a down year in 2018, is still one of the best hitters in the game. Cincinnati will no doubt look for a bounce-back year from their All-Star first baseman.

Scooter Gennett is an interesting case as well. To be honest, if Reds fans are looking for a big signing this offseason, look no further than Gennett. The Cincinnati Reds All-Star second baseman is in his final year or arbitration, and both Gennett and the Reds will look to work out a long-term extension this offseason.

José Peraza is poised for a breakout year, Jesse Winker is returning from injury, and backup catcher Curt Casali showed a lot of promise at the dish last season. The Reds have offensive talent all over the diamond.

Now, Billy Hamilton is never going to be a .300 hitter, but his electric defense is irreplaceable. Scott Schebler didn’t have a fantastic season in 2018 but was serviceable in the Reds’ outfield. And Tucker Barnhart, while hitting a career-low .248 at the plate, was his normal steady self behind the plate.

So, while there are areas of improvement for the Reds beyond the pitching staff, it should not even register as a priority until the rotation is filled out. Cincinnati has 2-3 potential starters on their roster as currently constructed, so the Reds brass has work to do this offseason.