3 players the Cincinnati Reds should cut before Opening Day, but won't

2. Reds IF Colin Moran should be cut before Opening Day.

Sorry, I just don't get it! If the Cincinnati Reds were to sign Colin Moran to a minor league deal with an invite to spring training, I could wrap my head around that. But a $1M major league deal for a player who's been little more than average throughout his career is too much of a commitment.

For his six-year career, Moran is worth 0.1bWAR. Yes, against right-handed pitching in 2021 Moran posted a .785 OPS. But Moran plays absolutely atrocious defense at third base. Moran is worth -27 defensive runs saves while playing third base and spent just 36 innings fielding that position over the past two seasons.

If the Reds brought in Moran, specifically to be a designated hitter versus right-handed pitchers, I can somewhat wrap my mind around that. But, if there's even a hint that Moran is going to be playing the infield in any capacity other than giving Joey Votto an occasional day off at first base, this is a mistake.

If Colin Moran is part of the Cincinnati Reds Opening Day roster and Max Schrock is optioned to Triple-A Louisville, the front office is flat-out wrong. I don't believe Moran will be on the Reds roster once Jose Barrero has returned from injury, but to be honest, he doesn't belong on the roster in the first place.