Predicting 3 roster moves Reds will make before 2024 spring training

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It's almost here, Reds fans! Pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report to Goodyear, Arizona next week, and the position players won't be far behind. Before you know it, there'll be full squad workouts, Cactus League contests, and Opening Day to follow.

But, are the Cincinnati Reds ready to go? Though president of baseball operations Nick Krall and the Reds front office have done a terrific job of adding free agents this offseason, the roster still has a few holes.

While it's true that Krall previously said that most of the major moves are in the rear view mirror, he did not rule out some fringe signings, or perhaps even a trade. What three moves might fans expect the Reds to make before spring training begins next week?

Predicting 3 roster moves Reds will make before 2024 spring training

Reds sign another veteran starter to a minor-league deal

You can never have too much pitching, right? The Cincinnati Reds certainly proved that to be the case last season after blowing through 14 different starting pitchers. Nick Krall, however, saw the problem and acted this offseason.

The Reds rotation, which saw the likes of Luis Cessa, Connor Overton, and Brett Kennedy at varying points last season, is deeper than it's been in years. Cincinnati signed Frankie Montas and Nick Martinez during free agency, and the club expects several of their young pitchers to develop into frontline starters in 2024.

If you look at the roster as currently constructed, you could make the case that Montas, Hunter Greene, Nick Lodolo, and Graham Ashcraft are locks to be part of the rotation on Opening Day. That final spot will likely come down to Martinez and last year's rookie Andrew Abbott. However, the Reds also have Lyon Richardson, Brandon Williamson, Connor Phillips, Levi Stoudt, and Carson Spiers waiting in the wings as well.

But, adding another veteran starter with a somewhat proven track would be a wise investment. Quite frankly, having a pitcher like Ben Lively would've been perfect, but the Reds decided to part ways with the right-hander only to see him sign a free agent deal with the Cleveland Guardians.

Signing a player like Zach Davies, Julio Teherán, or even Chase Anderson would add some additional depth to the Reds' rotation, and provide some innings in the minor leagues when some of these other young pitchers are inevitably yo-yo'd back-and-forth between I-71 over the course of the 2024 season. Tyler Gilbert was signed to a minor-league contract earlier this offseason, but another starter couldn't hurt.

Reds permanently move Jose Barrero to the outfield

While you can never have enough pitching, the Cincinnati Reds are proving that you can certainly have enough infielders. With the Reds' reluctance to trade Jonathan India this offseason, plus the addition of Jeimer Candelario, Cincinnati has more quality infielders than almost any other major league team.

But Jose Barrero no longer qualifies as a quality option. With Elly De La Cruz the likely starting shortstop, along with the likes of Matt McLain and Noelvi Marte on the 40-man roster, a lot of things would have to go awry in order for Barrero to find himself lined up on the infield dirt. In fact, non-roster invitee Erik Gonzalez probably has a better chance of breaking into the mix than Barrero.

But that doesn't mean that Cincinnati should be so quick to dismiss Barrero. While he's done nothing to maintain his spot on the 40-man roster, the Reds have yet to trade Barrero or designate him for assignment. This would seem to suggest that the 25-year-old is getting one last shot to prove that he belongs on a big league roster.

If that's that line thinking for Nick Krall and David Bell, then Barrero needs to be permanently moved to the outfield. While he was given some reps there last season, once Barrero was demoted back to the minors, he played almost exclusively at shortstop. Why? That's a great question that someone should've asked last season when it was painfully obvious that his future in Cincinnati wasn't going to be at shortstop.

The Reds infield is full - overflowing, in fact. There's no room for Jose Barrero. But, if the team is dead-set on giving him another opportunity, it needs to be in the outfield. Barrero possesses the raw tools to make the transition defensively, but it's his bat that will ultimately decide whether or not he breaks camp with the Reds.

Reds add a right-handed hitting outfielder

This has been a running theme throughout the offseason. If there's one thing this Reds roster is lacking, it's a right-handed platoon bat to pair with Jake Fraley and Will Benson in right field. Honestly, if said player could also play center field, that would be preferable. As much as Reds Country loves TJ Friedl, Cincinnati has no legitimate depth behind him at the moment.

Finding that right-handed hitting outfielder who excels against left-handed pitching, a la Nick Senzel, is the missing ingredient for the Reds. With spring training just a few days away, there's still time for Nick Krall to place a phone call and secure that final piece of the roster puzzle.

At the moment, that final spot would seem to be up for grabs. The aforementioned Jose Barrero will be in the mix, as will Stuart Fairchild. The Reds just inked Josh Harrison to a minor-league deal, and his versatility would seem to put him in line for that final spot on the roster as well.

But Adam Duvall would look really good in a Reds uniform, wouldn't he? Kyle Lewis seems like a really good bounce-back candidate who could be signed for next to nothing. Michael A. Taylor would be the dream, but he's likely going to attract more eyeballs, and the Reds would probably be outbid for his services.

Duvall feels like the move here, but Robbie Grossman would provide a nice platoon bat as well. The Reds could also be looking to give both Fraley and Benson more opportunities against left-handed pitchers in 2024, and if that's the case, then a platoon bat wouldn't be ncessary. However, based on their track record, finding a right-handed hitting outfielder would certainly bolster the roster ahead of spring training.

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