3 infielders the Reds should consider trading and 4 who should be off limits

With the recent rumors that the Cincinnati Reds are interested in signing Jeimer Candelario in free agency, there's a growing sense among the fanbase that one or more of the team's top infielders could be traded this offseason.

This shouldn't come as a shock. With so much depth on the infield dirt and a lack of starting pitching, one of the best ways for the Reds to add some arms this offseason would be through a trade or two.

There are, however, some infielders who should be off limits in trades talks this offseason. But there are a few who could be moved if the price is right. But which players should the Reds cling to, and who should be made available?

Reds infielder Spencer Steer should be off limits this offseason

Though Spencer Steer's future with the Cincinnati Reds might not be as an infielder, for the purposes of this exercise, let's consider that he is. The majority of Steer's starts in 2023 came on the infield dirt, though he did get ample opportunities on the outfield grass as well.

And that, perhaps more than anything else, is the biggest reason why Steer should be off limits in trade talks this offseason. The 25-year-old is the most versatile player on the entire Reds roster.

Aside from one game in the minor leagues last season, Steer didn't even play the outfield until this year. Steer also started plenty of games at first, second, and third base while also putting up terrific numbers in the batters' box.

Steer was even nominated for a Silver Slugger Award this past season. Though the BBWAA didn't think enough of him to even include Steer among the top rookie performers, he led all National League rookies in doubles this past season and mashed 23 round-trippers.

Spencer Steer is the type of player the Cincinnati Reds need to build their team around. The Reds fleeced the Minnesota Twins by snagging both Steer and Christian Encarnacion-Strand at the 2022 trade deadline. The Reds can ill-afford to ship the talented infielder elsewhere this offseason.