Reds can't afford to make this careless mistake after surprise Amed Rosario addition

The Cincinnati Reds plucked infielder Amed Rosario off waivers from the Los Angeles Dodgers over the weekend. Rosario was a trade deadline acquisition of the Dodgers who was quickly dismissed upon Mookie Betts' return from the injured list.

Rosario has played well this season. Splitting time with LA and the Tampa Bay Rays, the veteran is hitting .305/.331/.415 with a 113 OPS+. Against left-handed pitching, Rosario owns a .327/.355/.462 slash line, but is also hitting .292 with a .702 OPS against right-handed hurlers.

Rosario will undoubtedly be called up to the active roster later today, which will force the Reds to make a choice. One of either Noelvi Marte or Will Benson will likely be optioned to Triple-A in order to make room for for Rosario. While the decision itself could appear to be splitting hairs, the Reds should option Benson, not Marte.

Reds should send down Will Benson, not Noelvi Marte, in order to make room for Amed Rosario

Rosario is an infielder by trade, but the 28-year-old has experience in the outfield as well. So while positionally, it makes sense to send down Marte, the Reds' front office would be making a grievous mistake in doing so.

Marte, who won't turn 23 years old until after the season, has just two minor league options remaining. Losing a minor league option, just to activate an impending free agent in what will undoubtedly be a lost season, would be a ghastly mistake on the part of Nick Krall and the Reds front office. Benson, who also has two minor league options remaining, is 26 years old.

While this may seem rather innocuous to some fans, it matters. Having the ability to send players — especially those who are still developing — up and down between the major and minor leagues is a luxury for front office executives. While it's usually more valuable for pitchers as opposed to position players, it should still factor into the decision.

Marte was the prized prospect acquired in the midseason trade that sent Luis Castillo to the Seattle Mariners a little over two years. Do the Reds really want to burn one of Marte's options just to add journeyman utility player to the active roster for the final five weeks of the season?

Do the right thing, Reds. Option Benson to the minors and add Rosario to the active roster. If Cincinnati wants to remove Marte from the everyday lineup, that's fine. Honestly, the Reds could even tinker with giving Marte reps in the outfield. But the last thing the front office should do is send him back to the minors.

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