Reds: 3 players Cincinnati wishes were still on the roster for 2021

These former Reds would help alleviate many of the question marks facing the 2021 roster.

Every team has that moment of wishing they could take a transaction back. The Cincinnati Reds front office is certainly no exception. As Cincinnati’s General Manager Nick Krall prepares to construct next season’s roster he has some glaring needs to address.

For starters, who is going to be the Reds shortstop for the 2021 campaign? Last year’s starter, Freddy Galvis, is a free agent and it’s hard to imagine Cincinnati bringing him back. The nine-year veteran slashed just .220/.308/.404 with a well below average 86 OPS+ mark.

Considering the Reds tried to give Galvis’ job away last season when they inserted rookie José García into the lineup, it was apparent the Cincinnati brass wasn’t comfortable with the veteran in the present, much less the future at the shortstop position.

As far as García is concerned, expecting him to contribute at the major league level even though he had yet to play above High-A wasn’t the front office’s best moment. Another year in the minors should be a huge benefit for his development.

Next, barring the completely unexpected, the Redlegs are going to have a massive hole in their starting rotation to fill. Cy Young Award-winner Trevor Bauer is a free agent as is longtime Reds pitcher Anthony DeSclafani.

Entertaining a scenario in which Bauer returns to the Queen City is unrealistic, to say the least. When it comes to Disco, the Reds have had years to extend him if they were truly interested. However, injuries and ineffectiveness should extinguish any desire on Cincinnati’s part to bring him back.

Finally, the Reds bullpen is always a cause for consternation. Even though the bullpen received excellent performances from the likes of Rasiel Iglesias, Lucas Sims, and Amir Garrett this year, another quality arm is always welcomed. If Michael Lorenzen is moved into the rotation for 2021, the need for an additional arm will be even more pronounced.

Hindsight is always 20/20. However, the following three players, who were once in the Cincinnati Reds organization, would eliminate many of the question marks facing the Redlegs 2021 roster. Let’s take a look.