Predicting the Reds 40-man roster after the upcoming non-tender deadline

Cincinnati Reds infielder Noelvi Marte.
Cincinnati Reds infielder Noelvi Marte. | Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
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By the end of this week, the Cincinnati Reds will have made several key roster decisions. A handful of young, aspiring prospects will be added to the 40-man roster and a couple of veterans will be non-tendered or designated for assignment.

Fans have already seen the Reds move on from the likes of Mike Minor, Aramis Garcia, and Mark Kolozsvary. But more transactions will become necessary in the coming days in order to protect a few of the team's top prospects who are eligible for the Rule 5 Draft.

After the Reds added Nick Solak in a trade earlier this week, the roster currently sits a 40. At least one player will lose his spot in order to add shortstop prospect Elly De La Cruz, but there are others who won't be here by the end of the week. Let's preview what the Cincinnati Reds roster might look like after the non-tender deadline.

Predicting the Reds catchers after the non-tender deadline (1)

Tyler Stephenson

For the moment, Tyler Stephenson is the lone catcher on the Cincinnati Reds roster. Fans should not expect that to change anytime soon. While the Reds obviously cannot enter the 2023 season with just one backstop, there is little reason to add one of the team's catching prospects to the 40-man roster.

A case could be, and should be, made to see Daniel Vellojin added to the 40-man roster. The 22-year-old is eligible for the Rule 5 Draft and performed quite well a High-A Dayton earlier this year.

However, Vellojin's success did not translate to Double-A. After slashing .271/.393/.514 in 21 games for the Dayton Dragons, Vellojin saw his batting average dip below .200 and his OPS fall to .362 in 29 games with the Chattanooga Lookouts. It would not be a shock to see the Reds add Vellojin to the 40-man roster, but there are other players who may be added instead.

Tyler Stephenson will need a running mate for the 2023 season, and many fans want to see a reunion with former catcher, and current free agent, Tucker Barnhart. That may yet become a reality, but at the moment, don't expect the Reds to enter the free agent market.

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