Alejo Lopez has survived the Reds roster crunch multiple times this offseason

Since the offseason began, there's been plenty of speculation about how many players the Cincinnati Reds would cut loose as they plan to revamp the roster heading into 2023.

After all, Noelvi Marte and Elly De La Cruz needed to be added prior to the Rule 5 Draft, as did pitchers Levi Stoudt and Brandon Williamson. With the need for additional catchers on the roster, several role players were expected to be on the hot seat.

But one player who's survived the Reds roster crunch so far his offseason has been utility player Alejo Lopez. Do the Redlegs have bigger plans for the diminutive infielder in 2023?

Alejo Lopez survived the Reds roster crunch again.

First, there was the non-tender deadline. The Cincinnati Reds waved goodbye to the likes of Jeff Hoffman, Derek Law, and Aristides Aquino. Kyle Farmer, who was initially thought to be on the Opening Day roster, was then traded to the Minnesota Twins.

The Reds then added Kevin Newman, and an extra roster spot allowed Cincinnati to negotiate a one-year deal with Wil Myers in order to shore up the outfield. The big move, howver, came when the Reds added Curt Casali in free agency.

Cincinnati's need for a backup catcher saw the front office add Casali, and in a rather surprising move, in order to make room on the 40-man roster, the Reds designated Mike Moustakas for assignment and are on the hook for the remaining $22M left on his contract.

It would not have come as a shock to anyone throughout Reds Country if the team decided to part ways with Alejo Lopez rather than eat the remainder of Moose's 2023 salary.

The latest move that the Cincinnati Reds made was to sign veteran pitcher Luke Weaver to a one-year contract. Yet again, rather than bidding farewell to Lopez, the Reds designated Matt Reynolds for assignment.

That's at least three times when, normally, the Reds would have held onto a veteran rather than giving the opportunity to one of their younger players. But Cincinnati appears to be doing business differently of late, and that's got to be a relief for Alejo Lopez.