3 players the Reds should non-tender this offseason, but probably won't

3. Reds outfielder Nick Senzel should be non-tendered, but probably won't be.

Oh, what might have been. Nick Senzel was selected with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2016 MLB Draft. Senzel was supposed to be an advanced hitter coming out of the University of Tennessee and was expected to be a middle-of-the-order bat that would be cornerstone for years to come.

Fast-forward six years and Senzel has played in just 273 games in the major leagues. The 27-year-old has ended three of his four seasons on the IL, and just this season eclipsed 105 games played in a season. Most of Senzel's injuries have been obscure and odd, but nonetheless, the former first-round pick jus can't seem to stay healthy.

Some will blame his inability to stay on the field on the Reds decision to transition the former third baseman to the outfield. While there's probably some truth to that, Senzel incurred a number of injuries in the minors while playing on the infield dirt as well.

Will the Cincinnati Reds really non-tender a former first-round pick? That's highly unlikely. Let's not forget that Robert Stephenson was given every opportunity to find success in the big leagues despite multiple failures. Fans have already seen how many chances Aristides Aquino has received and he does not have the same amount of clout as Senzel.

If Cincinnati decides to keep Nick Senzel heading into next season, his role with the club needs to be re-evaluated. The Reds can no longer trot out the Atlanta native on a regular basis as the team's starting centerfielder. Players like TJ Friedl, Stuart Fairchild, and even Mike Siani have proven to be better defenders and more durable

Look for the Cincinnati Reds to head into next season with Nick Senzel occupying a spot on the 40-man roster. Allowing him the opportunity to find success as a utility player should be the team's goal.