What the Cincinnati Reds 2022 roster looks like entering ’20-21 offseason

Projected Cincinnati Reds 2022 starting lineup (9)

Joey Votto (1B), Mike Moustakas (2B), Eugenio Suárez (3B), José García (SS), Tyler Stephenson (C), Nick Castellanos (RF), Nick Senzel (CF), Shogo Akiyama (LF), Jesse Winker (DH)

Yes, the designated hitter is coming to the National League, and while I was not a fan of the universal DH going into last season, I have to say that I was surprised how much I actually enjoyed it. Yes, it takes bit of strategy out the game, but it also allows a team like the Reds to declutter a crowded position. In this case, Cincinnati can hang onto all their talented outfielders.

There is the possibility that Nick Castellanos will opt out following the 2021 season, but if he has a similar season to what we saw in 2020, I think he’ll re-up with the Reds for the final two years of the four-year/$64M contract he signed last winter. The economic landscape in baseball is unlikely to change dramatically, especially if fan attendance is limited in 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Yes, Joey Votto will still be the Cincinnati Reds first baseman entering the 2022 season. However, by then, we’re likely to see Mike Moustakas slide over from second base on a regular basis and allow Votto to be the team’s DH. A probable Hall of Famer, Votto is still under contract with the Reds through the 2023 season.

Eugenio Suárez should still be locking down the hot corner and the duo of Nick Senzel and Shogo Akiyama will likely be two of the three outfielders on Opening Day. Senzel’s lack of production and injury history have taken away any amount of trade value the former No. 2 overall pick had, and he’s going to have to reestablish himself during 2021 if he hopes to be a key piece of this team going forward.

Finally, we’re likely to see the two young studs, Tyler Stephenson and José García, take their rightful spots on the roster. Stephenson and García made an impact, albeit in a limited capacity, last season and are sure to be in Cincinnati’s longterm plans.