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

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Aug 26, 2021; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Cincinnati Reds center fielder Tyler Naquin (12) reacts after being called out. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports /

Jesse Winker has been out of the Cincinnati Reds lineup since the middle of August with an intercostal injury. While the team survived the initial blow of losing possibly their best hitter, the strain of not having Winker in the lineup over the past month has caught up with David Bell’s club of late.

The Reds are reeling, having fallen behind both the St. Louis Cardinals and San Diego Padres in the chase for the final Wild Card spot in the National League. Entering play today, Cincinnati is 1.5 games back of the Redbirds and trail the Friars by a half-game.

Winker’s absence is a big reason why this Reds club has dropped seven consecutive series and lost four straight games. The Redlegs need their team leader back in the worst way, and after beginning a rehab assignment with Triple-A Louisville earlier this week, I’d say we can expect Da Wink back any day now.

That spells bad news for a few players who haven’t yet performed up to their capabilities of late. Plenty of Cincinnati players, both in the field and on the mound, have been struggling. Who’s most likely to get the axe when Jesse Winker returns to the lineup?

1. Jesse Winker could replace Reds outfielder Tyler Naquin.

Under normal circumstances, Tyler Naquin’s name would not be among those mentioned as a possible causality of Jesse Winker’s return. However, since colliding with infielder Jose Barrero in an attempt to make a catch during a game against the St. Louis Cardinals last week, Naquin has been out of the lineup.

Naquin was one of the bright spots when Winker hit the IL last month. Since Winker has been out of the Reds lineup, Naquin slashed .360/.415/.680 with five home runs and 10 RBIs. Cincinnati skipper has called Naquin’s availability day-to-day, but with the Redlegs in the heat of the playoff chase, his roster spot may be in question.

Tyler Naquin was a terrific pickup earlier this year on behalf of Nick Krall and the Reds’ front office. The left-handed slugger has put up career numbers this year and is squarely in the mix to be part of Cincinnati’s starting outfield in 2022. However, the timing of this injury could see Naquin hit the IL and Winker return to the active roster.

Aug 28, 2021; Miami, Florida, USA; Recently acquired Cincinnati Reds infielder Asdrubal Cabrera (3) looks on from the dugout. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-USA TODAY Sports /

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.

Aug 21, 2021; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Reds second baseman Jose Barrero (38) during the sixth inning. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports /

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.

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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.

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