Cincinnati Reds: Predicting the Opening Day roster 1.0

With pitchers and catchers reporting, what’s the Reds 2021 roster look like?

Spring training has started and the Cincinnati Reds are in Goodyear, Arizona readying for the 2021 season. Pitchers and catchers reported earlier this week and position players are expected to arrive in the next few days. While there’s still time for trades and free agent signings, what might the Opening Day roster look like?

It’s always hard to predict what will happen. Word came down today that pitcher Brandon Bailey will undergo Tommy John surgery, eliminating any hope the front office had in the right-hander contributing to this year’s team. Bailey was thought to be in the mix for Cincinnati’s bullpen this season, a part of the team that has already seen a great deal of turnover.

We projected what the Cincinnati Reds Opening Day lineup would look like shortly after the 2020 season. Looking back, at those predictions, Cincinnati did decide to let one of their backstops go, but it wasn’t Tucker Barnhart, but rather Curt Casali. We also suspected Archie Bradley would be with the team this season, but the club chose to non-tender the right-hander earlier this winter.

A few players are certainties, while others are giant question marks. The Reds have yet to make a splash in the free agent market and most casual observers would say that the team lacks a starting shortstop. Trevor Bauer and Anthony DeSclafani left in free agency, so there’s also the matter of filling out the starting rotation.

The Cincinnati front office has cut payroll while trying to remain competitive in what will likely be one of the weaker divisions in all of baseball for the upcoming season. Will this roster be enough to put the Reds into the postseason for a second consecutive season?