Cincinnati Reds: Three players helped by the delay to the 2020 season

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DENVER, CO – JULY 14: Nick Senzel #15 of the Cincinnati Reds (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /

The 2020 MLB season has been delayed until at least mid-May, and likely later. Which three Cincinnati Reds players are helped by the late start?

Major League Baseball put a stop to spring training and the 2020 season is currently on hold, but it’s not all bad news for some for the Cincinnati Reds best players. While fans across the country are eagerly awaiting the start of the season, the delay has helped some players who are recovering from injury or in a competition for a final spot on the roster.

No one knows when the 2020 season will begin. The best-case scenario is mid-May, but some folks feel that early-June is more likely. Still, there are others that believe the 2020 season won’t begin until July. Recently, it was reported that MLB may begin the season at several spring training facilities throughout Arizona with no fans in attendance.

There’s no doubt that an additional amount of time for teams to ready themselves for the season will be needed as well. Spring training 2.0 will undoubtedly be a necessary component for pitchers. We may even see doubleheaders and a few additional roster spots in order for teams to play as many games as possible.

So, while fans may be a bit bummed, some of the Reds players will be helped by the additional several weeks tacked onto the offseason. The delayed start is sure to hurt a few players as well, but let’s keep this positive for the time being. Which three players on the Reds are helped the most by MLB’s delayed 2020 season?

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – SEPTEMBER 10: Eugenio Suarez #7 of the Cincinnati Reds (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

1. Eugenio Suárez, Third baseman

No one is the Reds organization was helped by the delayed start to the 2020 season more than Eugenio Suárez. The Cincinnati third baseman was sidelined to begin spring training by a shoulder injury he suffered during the offseason. Geno had surgery in late-January and was expected to possibly miss the beginning of the season.

If the Reds hope to make some noise in the National League Central, much likes he’s been the past two seasons, Eugenio Suárez must be the team’s best player. Sure, the front office added sluggers Mike Moustakas and Nick Castellanos to the roster, but the Reds must rely on Suárez to be the leader in home runs, RBIs and slugging percentage.

Geno’s surgery was brought on by a swimming pool accident. Strange to be sure, but things happen. Suárez was slowly working his way back before the stoppage and was slated to be the team’s designated hitter before MLB put a stop to spring training. The expectation was for Geno to spend several games as the DH before working his way back onto the field at third base.

In the event that Eugenio Suárez is not 100% healthy to begin the 2020, the Cincinnati Reds do have other options. Free agent signing Mike Moustakas has plenty of experience manning third base. The Reds also have Kyle Farmer and Josh VanMeter, both of whom are capable of holding down the hot corner. But, in all likelihood, Suárez will be being the year on the active roster.

CINCINNATI, OH – JUNE 29: Nick Senzel #15 of the Cincinnati Reds (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

2. Nick Senzel, Centerfielder

The delayed start to the 2020 season could be welcomed news for Nick Senzel. Like Eugenio Suárez, Senzel is recovering from offseason surgery. Before the delay, Senzel was already in the Cincinnati Reds lineup as the team’s designated hitter. The added time away from the game should enable Senzel to fully recover and begin the 2020 season on the active roster.

Senzel’s rookie season was marred by injury. The 24-year-old played just 104 games, though he was held back at the beginning of the season due to concerns over service time. Still, Senzel battled injuries and missed little time during the bulk of the season, never going onto the injured list. However, a shoulder injury cost Senzel the final month of the 2019 season.

Senzel suffered a torn labrum that required surgery. Last year’s rookie showed up to spring camp on time and was already swinging the bat, showing that the surgery in no way affected his swing. However, Senzel’s spring training was spent rehabbing the injury and he never actually made onto the field.

Nick Senzel has competition this season with the Reds addition of Japanese outfielder Shogo Akiyama. Akiyama, who has plenty of experience playing center field, is expected to play all over the Cincinnati outfield, sharing time with Senzel and left fielder Jesse Winker. The 2020 season will be an important for Senzel, who needs to prove he can stay healthy.

GOODYEAR, ARIZONA – FEBRUARY 28: Mark Payton #34 of the Cincinnati Reds (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) /

3. Mark Payton, Outfielder

The delayed start to the 2020 season likely means an increased amount of doubleheaders for every major league team. With multiple doubleheaders on the horizon, there’s a likelihood of rosters expanding beyond 26 players. Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported that rosters will likely expand to 29. This could be great news for Mark Payton.

While most people look at the Reds roster and think they have too many outfielders already, having a left-handed bat like Payton off the bench would be a solid addition. Formerly of the New York Yankees and Oakland A’s, Payton is a Rule 5 draftee. His status makes his standing with with ball club a bit more precarious.

As a Rule 5 draftee, if Payton does not make the Opening Day (whenever that is) roster, then he must be offered back to the A’s. The Reds would, in effect, lose Payton. With the uncertainty in the Reds outfield, having a versatile player like Payton, who’s able to play all three spots, is a luxury that additional roster space could warrant.

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Some fans may feel as though an extra roster spot would be better used for a player like Aristides Aquino, but The Punisher has a minor-league option remaining and didn’t have a great showing in the Dominican Winter League or in the early-going of spring training. A left-handed bat like Payton with power and defensive versatility would be nice to have on the Reds bench.

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