Reds: 3 directions Cincinnati could go with Nick Senzel moving forward

3. The Reds could transform Nick Senzel into a utility player.

The sad truth is, maybe Nick Senzel is not an everyday player. Not from an ability standpoint, but perhaps his body cannot handle the rigors of the day-to-day grind of a 162-game season. At least, the Cincinnati Reds should not expect that moving forward.

Senzel has not proven that he can healthy and therefore, under no circumstances, can the Reds head into the offseason assuming that their former first-round pick should be assured a starting spot in the lineup. Instead, Senzel should be considered a bench player heading into the 2022 season.

Provided no trades are made over the offseason, the 2022 Cincinnati infield will likely be comprised of Joey Votto (1B), Jonathan India (2B), Jose Barrero (SS), and Eugenio Suarez (3B). With Nick Castellanos likely entering free agency, the Reds outfield may look a little different in 2022, but you have to figure that Tyler Naquin and Jesse Winker will be in the starting lineup.

With the universal DH a very real possibility, one should assume that Mike Moustakas will occupy that role. A combination of Aristides Aquino and Shogo Akiyama may find regular playing time in the outfield if Castellanos isn’t retained. That could leave Kyle Farmer as the Reds’ primary utility player.

The team will also need another utility player, and this is where Nick Senzel comes in. While it’s hard to see the Cincinnati Reds relying on the 26-year-old as the team’s everyday centerfielder, maybe he can occupy a position all over the diamond.

Nick Senzel, much like Whit Merrifield and Kris Bryant, possesses the unique ability to play all over the field. While it may be a bit humbling for a former first-round pick to be relegated to a bench role, until Senzel proves that he can stay healthy, this may be the best option for him and the team.