Reds news: Dee Strange-Gordon’s release saves a 40-man roster spot

Count me among those who were unimpressed with the Cincinnati Reds signing of Dee Strange-Gordon this offseason. That’s not a reflection of thoughts about Strange-Gordon as a utility player off the bench, but that’s not why the Reds signed Strange-Gordon to a minor-league deal.

Strange-Gordon was brought in, as was Kyle Holder, to be competition for Kyle Farmer at shortstop. Cincinnati’s front office failed to make any sort of upgrade to the shortstop position this fall, and they were eventually left with Strange-Gordon and Jonathan Villar. The front office opted for Strange-Gordon.

Dee Strange-Gordon’s lack of production caused the Reds to shift gears.

Now, for those who want to look at Dee Strange-Gordon’s short stint with the Reds as a waste of time, I beg to differ. I’m of the opinion, that had Cincinnati had a better option at shortstop, the coaching staff would have never experimented shifting Eugenio Suarez to shortstop. That move allows the team to put the best eight players in the lineup night in and night out.

Moving Suarez to shortstop has enabled Reds’ skipper David Bell to shift Mike Moustakas to third base and insert Jonathan India into the starting lineup. India will likely start Opening Day as the Reds second baseman.

The Reds will now have an extra spot on the 40-man roster.

Had Dee Strange-Gordon broken camp with the Cincinnati Reds, the front office would’ve had to make a corresponding move in order to free up a spot on the 40-man roster. As it stands right now, the team is likely to need at least one spot on the 40-man roster for Jonathan India. That problem can easily be solved by putting Brandon Bailey on the 60-day injured list.

Cincinnati has a handful of other non-roster invitees who may make the cut as well. Cam Bedrosian, Heath Hembree, Mike Freeman, and Tyler Naquin all have an outside shot to make the Opening Day roster.

A few more names to keep an eye on should an additional spot on the 40-man roster become necessary are Rule 5 Draft pick Kyle Holder, former starting pitcher Sal Romano, and right-handed slugger Aristides Aquino, who is officially out of minor-league options.