Cincinnati Reds: 3 players who should be non-tendered this offseason

1. Brian Goodwin, Reds outfielder

Yes, I know that Brian Goodwin just arrived at the trade deadline last season, but it’s hard for me to get excited about a rotational outfielder. I also think it would be ludicrous for the Reds front office to dole out the estimated $2.7M-$3.6M it would likely take to keep Goodwin on the 40-man roster.

Goodwin was traded from the Los Angeles Angels this past summer in exchange for pitching prospects Packy Naughton and Jose Salvador. Naughton was one of the more highly-rated prospects in the Cincinnati farm system, but the majority of spots in the Reds rotation appear to be claimed for the foreseeable future. That made Naughton expendable.

Goodwin was brought in with the idea of him giving the Reds a boost at the plate while also providing solid defense across all three outfield positions. This move was also made while second-year outfielder Nick Senzel was on the injured list. The Reds were “all-in” last season and the addition of Goodwin was a desperate attempt to improve the hitting via an in-season trade.

It didn’t really work out as Cincinnati had hoped, as in 55 plate appearances Goodwin hit just .163/.236/.327 with two doubles, two home runs and five RBIs. The Cincinnati Reds should be able to receive similar production from last year’s Rule 5 draftee Mark Payton. Payton will make the league minimum next season and would save the Reds at least $2M.

A left-handed rotational outfielder like Brian Goodwin is necessary. However, not with the price tag that he’ll command in 2021. The Reds also have young prospects like TJ Friedl and Andy Sugilio in their farm system. Both could offer similar production to what Goodwin put up throughout his major league career.