3 Reds players who could use a change of scenery in 2023

Sometimes, all you need is a change of scenery. There are a few players on the Cincinnati Reds roster who fit that bill, and whether is happens via trade or outright release, it may be time for the Reds and these players to part company during the offseason.

We've seen this before. Most recently the Reds traded struggling pitcher and former first-round pick Robert Stephenson to the Colorado Rockies in exchange for Jeff Hoffman. The right-hander seems to have found a home in the Cincinnati bullpen after being maligned throughout most his career in the Mile High City.

There are other examples to be sure, and players like Cody Bellinger, Marcell Ozuna, and Miguel Sanó may be looking to hit the reset button this offseason. Which three Cincinnati Reds players could benefit from a change of scenery?

1. Reds CF Nick Senzel could use a change of scenery in 2023.

Poor Nick Senzel just can't seem to catch a break. The former first-round pick of the Cincinnati Reds has been dogged by injuries throughout his entire professional career. If there's any one player on the Reds roster that could use a fresh start, it's Senzel.

Let's face it, Senzel's future in the Reds organization is virtually nonexistent. After playing in a career-high 110 game last season, Senzel was still unable to tap into that potential that made him a first round pick back in 2016.

The Reds now have young players like Spencer Steer, TJ Friedl, Alejo Lopez, and Stuart Fairchild who are looking to secure more playing time in 2023. There's also young prospects like Matt McLain and Elly De La Cruz who will looking to break into the bigs next season as well. There's just not enough playing time to go around.

Whether you want to blame it on injuries, changing positions, or something else, the bottom line is that Senzel hasn't lived up to the hype. In fact, he's not even been anywhere close. It's painfully obvious that it's time for the Cincinnati Reds and Nick Senzel to part ways.

2. Reds 3B Mike Moustakas could use a change of scenery in 2023.

What a flop this has been, huh? Signing Mike Moustakas to a four-year/$64M contract will go down as one of the worst free agent signings in franchise history. Heck, it's not a stretch to suggest that it's one of worst free agent signings in the history of Major League Baseball.

Just like Nick Senzel, injuries have played a key role in Moustakas' lack of production since coming to Cincinnati. The three-time All-Star found his way onto the Injured List six different times during the 2022 season. Moose has yet to play more than 80 games since signing with the Reds prior to the 2020 season.

Just as is the case with Senzel, there's just too many good, young players coming up through the Reds farm system to have their playing time reduced because of Moustakas' presence on the roster. The biggest road block with Moustakas, that's not the case with Senzel, is the gargantuan payday the veteran is set to collect in 2023.

Moose's salary next season is $18M and his contract carries a $4M buyout for the 2024 season; like was mentioned, it's one of the worst in Major League Baseball history. Very few teams would be willing to stomach taking on such a contract for a player that's hit just .216 over the past three seasons.

Maybe the Cincinnati Reds and Mike Moustakas will just part ways after the World Series. That's the approach the Chicago Cubs have chosen to take with outfielder Jason Heyward. The Reds released Shogo Akiyama last spring and ate his $8M contract, but there's a lot more zeroes in Moose's deal. Will Bob Castellini really write Moustakas a $22M check to play elsewhere in 2023?