3 offseason misses that really hurt any chance the Reds had to compete in 2022

Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Mike Minor (31) pitches.
Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Mike Minor (31) pitches. | Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports
2 of 3

2. The Reds failed to secure a reliable veteran catcher.

No, the Cincinnati Reds should not have retained Tucker Barnhart for the 2022 season. Yes, they should have waited until the spring to trade him and certainly acquired more than utility infield prospect in return, but it was time for Tyler Stephenson to take over behind the plate on a full-time basis.

Barnhart was owed $7.5M in 2022. As good as the two-time Gold Glove Award-winner has been behind the plate, Barnhart's OPS over the past four-plus seasons is .682. That type of production is not worth $7.5M.

But, the Reds probably wish they had a veteran backstop like Barnhart on the team right now. Stephenson will be out of action for the next four-to-six weeks after suffering a broken thumb. Aramís García has now been thrust into action as the team's everyday catcher and Chris Okey was just called up to be García's backup.

There were not a great deal of free agent catchers available this offseason, but Cincinnati's lack of depth in the farm system should have forced the front office's hand. Stephenson has All-Star ability, but the Reds should have put a bigger emphasis on who his backup would be in 2022.

Top catching prospects Daniel Vellojin and Jackson Miller are years away from making it to the big leagues, so this will be a problem again in 2023. Stephenson has hit the IL twice this season, and seeing as how he's one of the best players on the Reds' roster, a position change may be in order to keep him in the lineup.

Schedule