What's the ideal Cincinnati Reds lineup with the likely addition of the universal DH?

7. Jose Barrero, Reds shortstop

Feel free to debate who'll be playing the position all you want, but regardless of whether it's Jose Barrero or Kyle Farmer, the No. 7 spot will go to the Cincinnati Reds' shortstop. I tend to think Barrero will be given every chance during spring training to win the job outright.

Barrero received a call-up to the big leagues in August and saw time at shortstop, second base, and center field. In the end, the Reds brass believes that Barrero is the team's shortstop of the future. I tend to agree with this notion.

Now, there are others who believe that Farmer won the job last season and should be Cincinnati's starting shortstop in 2022. Farmer will be going through the arbitration process this offseason and is likely to make about $2M next season.

Regardless of who's playing the position, the Reds' shortstop should be hitting seventh in the batting order. Barrero has power and speed to go along with a good eye at the dish. Farmer showed last season that he can be more than just a utility infielder at the major league level.

Farmer, who played through an injury for the majority of the season, hit .263/.316/.416 last season with the Reds. Barrero hit just .200 during his time with the big league club last season, but slashed .303/.380/.539 in 85 minor league games while splitting time between Double-A and Triple-A last season.