Reds: 3 players who may lose their roster spot when Jesse Winker returns

2. Jesse Winker could replace Reds infielder Asdrúbal Cabrera.

If Tyler Naquin is deemed healthy enough to play in the coming days, Asdrúbal Cabrera is the obvious choice to be given his walking papers. The Reds pounced on the opportunity to pick up Cabrera on waivers from the Arizona Diamondbacks, but that shrewd pickup has not helped Cincinnati’s cause.

Cabrera is a veteran infielder, former All-Star, and former World Champion, but that was in the past. Since joining the Cincinnati Reds prior to September, Cabrera is 0-for-19 with five strikeouts. Cabrera came within an eyelash of recording his first hit with the Redlegs on Tuesday night while pinch hitting in the ninth inning, but his fly ball to right field was hauled in on the warning track.

Picking up Asdrúbal Cabrera was the correct move. The Reds were in the middle of a playoff chase, and both Mike Moustakas and Eugenio Suárez have played well below expectations this season. Adding Cabrera gave David Bell a switch hitting bench bat capable of playing both corner infield spots.

However, the move just hasn’t panned out. Like the majority of players on the Cincinnati roster, it appears that Cabrera is pressing; trying to do too much and, in turn, doing virtually nothing. With Max Schrock actually putting the bat on the ball, the Reds would be much better using the 26-year-old as the top utility infielder over the next few weeks of the 2021 season.

3. Jesse Winker could replace Reds infielder Jose Barrero.

While many fans may not like this idea, there’s a real possibility that when Jesse Winker returns to the lineup, Jose Barrero will be sent back to Triple-A Louisville. This is not to say that Barrero is not a valuable member of the team, but given the few players who actually have minor league options remaining, the rookie shortstop may be the odd man out.

Barrero was actually the player called upon to replace Winker on the Cincinnati roster when the All-Star hit the IL back in August. In 23 plate appearances at the major league level this season, Barrero is hitting just .190 with two doubles and one RBI.

Let’s be real, okay? Kyle Farmer will be the Cincinnati Reds starting shortstop for the remainder of the 2021. David Bell has put his faith in the former Georgia Bulldog and Farmer has rewarded his manager’s trust by putting together the best season of his career despite playing through an abdominal injury for the majority of the summer.

Bell has made attempts to get Barrero more ABs; even resorting to putting the 23-year-old into the outfield earlier this week. Barrero has a bright future, but if it comes down to adding Jesse Winker to the lineup or sending Jose Barrero back to the minors, I’m taking Winker every time. Cincinnati may eventually use Barrero’s roster spot for Art Warren, who’s ready to return as well.

Is Jose Barrero the shortstop of the future? I tend to think so. But Kyle Farmer is the Reds shortstop right now, and unless the 30-year-old suffers an injury that forces him onto the IL, I don’t expect the former backstop to give that job up. Barrero may be sent back to Louisville in order to get more at-bats and regular playing time with the Bats.