Latest roster move shows that Reds' GM Nick Krall doesn't win every trade

The Kevin Newman era has come and gone after the Cincinnati Reds decided to activate the infielder from the IL on Monday and then designated him for assignment.

Based on how the Reds roster is constructed, this shouldn't come as much of a shock to anyone. Newman, who put up some good numbers against left-handed pitching this season, hadn't played in over a month and was definitely a non-tender candidate later this year.

Why the Reds made this move at this time is a little puzzling. However, there could be an impending transaction that fans are not yet aware of. Regardless, with Newman no longer part of the Reds organization, it can be said that Nick Krall doesn't get every trade correct.

Latest roster move shows that Reds' GM Nick Krall doesn't win every trade

Now look, there are a lot of trades that Cincinnati Reds have been involved in over the past two seasons. And, for all intents and purposes, GM Nick Krall has hit a home run almost every single time.

Krall was at the helm when the Reds flipped Eugenio Suarez and Jesse Winker for Connor Phillips, Brandon Williamson, and Jake Fraley. Krall was also at the helm when Cincinnati landed Christian Encarnacion-Strand and Spencer Steer in exchange for Tyler Mahle.

But, with hindsight always being 20/20, it's fair to say that trading Dauri Moreta for Kevin Newman wasn't his finest moment. That's not say that Newman didn't serve his purpose while with the Reds, but Cincinnati would love to have Moreta's arm in the bullpen at this moment.

For those who forget, Newman was acquired on the same day that Cincinnati shipped Kyle Farmer to the Minnesota Twins. Newman would be the backup plan in the event that Jose Barrero failed at shortstop, and the bridge to Elly De La Cruz.

Newman served that role perfectly, but with De La Cruz and Matt McLain now cemented as cornerstones for the future, the former Pittsburgh Pirate no longer fits into the Reds' longterm plans. However, after watching Moreta this past week upon his return to Cincinnati, Reds fans know that David Bell would love to have him in the bullpen.

Dauri Moreta has 69 strikeouts in 53.2 innings of work this season and owns 4.02 ERA and 3.17 FIP. Based on how overused Bell's bullpen has been this season, the Redlegs would have loved to have had Moreta at their disposal in 2023 and beyond.

So while the trading Moreta for Newman probably tips the scales toward the Pirates, nobody bats 1.000. If that's the worst trade that Nick Krall has signed off over the past two years, Cincinnati Reds fans are in great hands.