Reds' focus at the Winter Meetings will put their faith in Noelvi Marte to the test

Noelvi Marte did not have a good year in 2024. The Cincinnati Reds top prospect injured himself while playing in the Dominican Winter League, was busted for using performance enhancing drugs and suspended for 80 games, committed committed 12 errors, posted a 49 OPS+, and eventually lost his starting job during the final month of the season. Marte will be happy when 2024 is in rearview mirror.

But based on the Reds' focus heading into the MLB Winter Meetings, it would appear that Nick Krall is convinced that Marte will have a bounce-back season in 2025. Though Krall told MLB.com's Mark Sheldon that Cincinnati won't rule anything out, the Reds President of Baseball Operations said they're focused on adding "an outfielder over an infielder" this winter.

Reds' Winter Meetings focus suggests Cincy is confident Noelvi Marte will bounce back

That's a bold strategy given how poorly Marte performed in 2024. Heading into spring training, it was a given that Marte would be the Reds' starting third baseman on Opening Day. Sure, Cincinnati had signed Jeimer Candelario to a three-year, $45 million deal, but Marte was supposed to be 'the guy'.

The former Seattle Mariners' prospect had a cup of coffee in 2023 and ended the year on a 16-game hitting streak while posting a .316/.366/.456 slash line with 10 extra-base hits, 15 RBI, and six stolen bases with a 118 OPS+.

But after getting popped with an 80-game suspension, the Reds rushed Marte back to the big leagues, and the 23-year-old looked like he'd lost every bit of confidence he gained during the final month of the 2023 season. Marte was swinging wildly at pitches outside the strike zone, fumbling balls hit directly to him at third base, and even making critical base running blunders to boot. It was a terrible, no good, very bad season for the Reds' young infielder.

Reds focused on adding outfielder during the MLB Winter Meetings

But Reds fans won't complain at the notion of adding an outfielder this offseason. If there's one area of Cincinnati's roster that every fan agrees needs to be fixed, it's the outfield. Most fans are happy with the duo of TJ Friedl and Spencer Steer, but Reds Country is tired of seeing a platoon of Jake Fraley, Will Benson, Stuart Fairchild, and others trotted out on a routine basis.

If the Reds emerge from the MLB Winter Meetings with a new outfielder, Reds fans will be ecstatic. But it still feels like Cincinnati is rolling the dice if Marte is assumed to be the team's starting third baseman next season. There are others, including Candelario and Steer, who can take up the mantle at the hot corner, but neither is an above-average defender.

Adding an outfielder is important, but deemphasizing the need for a third baseman suggests that Krall and Co. are confident that Marte will bounce back in 2025. That remains to be seen.

More Cincinnati Reds News and Rumors