Reds' preliminary plans for third base in 2025 could be troublesome for Noelvi Marte

The Cincinnati Reds planned to lean heavily on rookie infielder Noelvi Marte during the 2024 season. Unfortunately, Cincinnati was blindsided midway through spring training after finding out Marte would be suspended for 80 games following a positive test for performance enhancing drugs.

The Reds will not be caught off-guard again. Heading into the offseason, the Reds have already planned for several other players to grab some reps at third base. According to Charlie Goldsmith of the Cincinnati Enquirer, Jonathan India and Spencer Steer will get some reps at both first and third base next spring. It was also revealed that Matt McLain may log some time at the hot corner as well.

Cincinnati third baseman ranked 21st in OPS and 22nd in batting average last season. The Reds need more production from that spot in the lineup in 2025, and it would seem that Marte may not be in Cincinnati's short-term plans.

Reds infielders Jonathan India, Matt McLain, and Spencer Steer may start ahead of Noelvi Marte at 3B

Any Reds fan who watched Marte during the second-half of last season probably feels like this is the right plan heading into the offseason. Not only was Marte's bat a letdown, the 22-year-old looked completely lost when it came to fielding his position. With an emphasis on defense heading into next season, there's no way Cincinnati can expect Marte to be their everyday third baseman when the season starts.

Now, that's not to say that Marte can't be on the Opening Day roster, but the best plan of action would probably be to allow him to begin the season in the minor leagues. Marte stayed in the big leagues throughout the entire 2024 season, and while that seemed foolish at times, it did help preserve one of his minor-league options. Marte has two left heading into next season.

With the infield depth the Reds currently have, a defensive alignment of India at first base, McLain at second, Steer at third, and Elly De La Cruz at shortstop would not be out of the realm of possibilities.

The Reds kicked around the idea last spring of moving India between first and second base as well as the outfield, but Marte's suspension and the rash of injuries forced Cincinnati to keep the 2021 NL Rookie of the Year at the keystone throughout the entire season. Steer, an infielder by trade, spent most of the 2024 season in left field.

Versatility would appear to be the name of the game for the Reds heading into 2025, and for the moment, Marte is not part of the equation.

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