Cincinnati Reds: Projecting next year’s lineup post-trade

The Cincinnati Reds made a blockbuster trade to acquire Matt Kemp, Yasiel Puig, Alex Wood, and Kyle Farmer from the Los Angeles Dodgers last Friday. What could the lineup look like heading into the 2019 season after this big move?

The Cincinnati Reds finished 18th in runs scored last season with a lineup sporting the likes of Joey Votto, Eugenio Suárez, Scooter Gennett, and company. Had the Reds not lost Jesse Winker at the end of July, the team might have finished in the top 15.

Winker is a prototypical leadoff hitter due to his ability to get on base, however, a team loaded with new talent including Matt Kemp and Yasiel Puig makes it difficult to project a concrete role for him heading into the New Year.

While a player like Kemp, Winker or possibly Scott Schebler could be dealt in one more major deal to #GETTHEPITCHING, here’s a crack at what the lineup for the coming year would look like, including who would be on the 25-man active roster:

• C – Tucker Barnhart and Curt Casali
• 1B – Joey Votto
• 2B – Scooter Gennett
• 3B – Eugenio Suarez and Alex Blandino
• SS – Jose Peraza
• OF – Matt Kemp, Yasiel Puig, Jesse Winker, Scott Schebler, and Phillip Ervin
• Utility – Nick Senzel

Lineup vs. RHP

1. Winker RF (.321 BA .874 OPS)
2. Senzel CF (.321 BA .907 OPS)
3. Votto 1B (.298 BA .880 OPS)
4. Gennett 2B (.317 BA .882 OPS)
5. Puig LF (.297 BA .921 OPS)
6. Suárez 3B (.268 BA .840 OPS)
7. Barnhart C (.239 BA .684 OPS)
8. Pitcher’s spot
9. Peraza SS (.277 BA .728 OPS)

Bench: Casali (.250 BA .708 OPS), Blandino (.222 BA .607 OPS), Ervin (.254 BA .716 OPS), Kemp (.301 BA .812 OPS), Schebler (.235 BA .770 OPS)

Lineup vs. LHP

1. Schebler LF (.296 BA .789 OPS)
2. Senzel CF (.288 BA .850 OPS)
3. Kemp RF (.273 BA .774 OPS)
4. Suarez 3B (.320 BA 1.020 OPS)
5. Gennett 2B (.294 BA .774 OPS)
6. Votto 1B (.260 BA .758 OPS)
7. Casali C (.375 BA .988 OPS)
8. Pitcher’s spot
9. Peraza SS (.313 BA .774 OPS)

Bench: Blandino (.263 BA .627 OPS), Barnhart (.279 BA .750 OPS), Puig (.209 BA .628 OPS), Winker (.211 BA .690 OPS), Ervin (.250 BA .749 OPS)

Some additional notes regarding the projections:

1. With a crowded outfield, it really is hard to find playing time for Phillip Ervin, but, he could be in a prime position to be the first man off the bench as a pinch-hitter vs. LHP. His position on the roster would also be elevated should the Cincinnati Reds trade an outfield piece for pitching.
2. Most might be wondering, why Matt Kemp, with a .301 BA vs. RHP in 2018, would be sitting on the bench as nothing more than a pinch-hitter against righties. Senzel might get the Kris Bryant treatment, but, he will be in a Reds uniform early in 2019 and I wholeheartedly believe he will play center field this coming year, forcing Puig to RF and thus sending Kemp to the bench. Nick is just too talented to send to the Minors for another year when the Reds have a prime opportunity to see what they have in him and put his talents to good use.
3. Dick Williams has already said they aren’t done acquiring talent and once his statements prove true, projecting a more concrete lineup will become clearer.

What do think Reds Country? How do you feel about these projections? Who do you think is traded for pitching talent? Does Nick Senzel make an impact in 2019?