1 new Reds player who will exceed expectations and 1 who'll underperform

The Cincinnati Reds made some additions and subtractions this offseason and appear to be done wheeling and dealing with spring training just a few weeks away.

Many of the Reds additions are shorter-term solutions as the team looks to rebuild from the inside out. But Cincinnati didn't just add a bunch of bargain-basement players on minor league deals (though there are a few of those as well).

The Redlegs will be looking for some of their new additions to pay immedaite dividends and help the club get off to a quick start in 2023. Which one of Cincinnati's newest additions will exceed expectations, and which one will fall short?

Reds OF Nick Solak will exceed expectations in 2023.

One quiet addition the Cincinnati Reds made this offseason was trading for Nick Solak. The former University of Louisville standout was drafted by the New York Yankees in the second round of the 2016 MLB Draft, but has never really found his footing in the big leagues.

Solak has a career-OPS of just .700, but that's better than the player who he'll likely be in direct competition with - Nick Senzel. The former first-round pick, who was taken in the same draft as Solak, has never lived up to expectations and has a career-OPS of just .663.

Both Solak and Senzel has the ability to play all over the diamond, and both may have that chance in 2023. Solak is more of a corner outfielder, while Senzel usually plays up the middle. With both being right-handed hitters, the competition for playing time could be fierce between the two once spring training begins.

Nick Solak has minor league options remaining, so it's not imperative that the 28-year-old be part of the Opening Dat roster in order to remain with the organization. Look for Solak to exceed expectations in 2023.

Reds SS Kevin Newman will fall short of expectations in 2023.

On the same day that the Cincinnati Reds traded Kyle Farmer to the Minnesota Twins, the club acquired shortstop Kevin Newman from the Pittsburgh Pirates. Newman is a solid defensive shortstop, but his bat has always lagged behind his glove.

So now, it would appear as though the Reds have two below-average shortstops who'll be competing for playing time once Cactus League play begins. The Reds have invested a lot into Jose Barrero, but after an extended look late last summer, it appears as though the one-time highly-touted prospect may not be everything the Reds' brass was hoping for.

Thankfully, the Reds have three young infielders (Noelvi Marte, Elly De La Cruz, and Matt McLain) waiting in the wings. De La Cruz and McLain would seems poised to break into the big leagues this season, with both having an outside chance to making the Opening Day lineup out of spring training.

Kevin Newman is little more than a placeholder for the young infielders coming up through the farm system. Newman will likely be part of the Opening Day roster, but his contributions to next year's team are likely to be minimal.