Alejo Lopez was never going to make the Reds Opening Day roster anyway

The Cincinnati Reds made a trade on Wednesday with the Cleveland Guardians. Cincinnati traded outfield prospect Justin Boyd and a player to be named later or cash considerations to Cleveland in exchange for outfielder Will Benson.

Benson, a former first-round pick, has massive power. The versatile outfielder will enter a crowded competition this spring alongside the likes of TJ Friedl, Stuart Fairchild, and Nick Solak.

In order to clear space on the 40-man roster, the Reds designated infielder Alejo Lopez for assignment. While the addition of Benson certainly adds intrigue to the Cincinnati Reds outfield, most fans will be saddened by the loss of Lopez.

Alejo Lopez was never going to make the Reds Opening Day roster.

The hard truth, however, is that Alejo Lopez was never going to make the Cincinnati Reds Opening Day roster. This was just another, in a long line of moves by Reds GM Nick Krall, that signify a change in direction on the part of the organization.

Lopez made the most out of his abilities. Don't forget that the 26-year-old was a 27th-round pick. Lopez overcame a lot during his career, and after hitting nearly everything in sight during his 2021 season, the Reds finally made the move and promoted him to the big leagues.

Lopez got very accustomed to the drive up and down I-71 between Cincinnati and Louisville last season. Lopez yo-yo'd between the major leagues and Triple-A until after the MLB trade deadline. Lopez received more regular playing time after the Reds purged the roster of players like Brandon Drury and Tommy Pham.

It's not that Lopez is a bad player. Heck, he's a very versatile fielder and puts the ball in the play on a routine basis. But Lopez's style of play fits more with the way the game was played 20 years. General managers are looking for power and exit velocity and Lopez has very little of that.

With non-roster invitees like Chad Pinder, Jason Vosler, and Matt Reynolds, it was already going to be difficult for Alejo Lopez to retain his spot on the 40-man roster. Look for the Cincinnati Reds to reach out to Lopez if he clears waivers and attempt to re-sign him to a minor league contract with an invitee to spring training.