Reds recent transaction involving Jose Barrero shouldn't come as a shock to fans

Cincinnati Reds optioned Jose Barrero to Triple-A on Monday afternoon, removing any and all speculation about what's next for the shortstop now that his rehab assignment is over.

Barrero missed all of spring training following wrist surgery and was sent to Louisville on a rehab assignment last month. That assignment was set to expire in just a couple days.

By optioning Barrero to Triple-A, the Reds have given themselves more time to evaluate the glut of infielders currently on their roster and allow the 24-year-old some more time to get up to speed after missing all of spring training.

Reds SS Jose Barrero was optioned to Triple-A Louisville.

There were any number of things the Cincinnati Reds could have done with Jose Barrero with his rehab assignment now over. Heck, after placing Mike Moustakas on the Injured List, the team could've recalled Barrero to the big leagues for tonight's game versus the Arizona Diamondbacks.

But this is probably the correct course of action at the moment, especially with how well Kyle Farmer is playing of late. Barrero and Farmer were expected to compete for the starting shortstop position during spring training, but Barrero's injury made David Bell's decision very easy.

But it won't stay easy for long, as fans should expect Jose Barrero to join the Cincinnati Reds active roster sooner rather than later. While players like Matt Reynolds, Alejo Lopez, and Brandon Drury have done a nice job while Barrero has been on the IL, none of those players figure into the Reds' longterm plans.

But unlike Drury and Reynolds, Barrero has minor league options remaining, and that's why the decision was made. Jonathan India and Donovan Solano will soon began their rehab assignments, so things will get sorted out very quickly in the coming weeks.

Reds fans should buckle up for an interesting month as there's little doubt that a number of players on Cincinnati's roster will be on the trade block. I doubt Kyle Farmer will be part of that equation, but Brandon Drury, Tyler Naquin, and even the aforementioned Donovan Solano could very well be traded before the August 2nd deadline.

The Reds can now recall Jose Barrero whenever they'd like. However, a .204 batting average and 42.1% strikeout-rate during his 11 games at Triple-A would suggest that Barrero needs more time to get up to speed.