Reds' stubborn Austin Wynns stance defies logic, and it's getting indefensible

The Cincinnati Reds are still clinging to the idea that they need three catchers, and yet, Austin Wynns hasn't started a game behind the plate since April 30. While Cincinnati's catching depth behind Tyler Stephenson and Jose Trevino is questionable at best, holding on to Wynns at this point is utterly indefensible.

It's been nearly a month since Wynns was called upon to start a game at catcher for the Reds, but he's still on the roster. Since April 30, Wynns has appeared in five games, made seven plate appearances, and has three hits. While wildly efficient for someone who dons the tools of ignorance about once a week for two innings at a time, Cincinnati cannot continue to keep Wynns on the active roster.

There's a chance that this situation resolves itself in the coming days. Christian Encarnacion-Strand and Jake Fraley are making their way back for the injured list — both players are currently on a rehab assignment at Triple-A Louisville. But even if the Reds are waiting for those two players to return from the IL, they're limiting themselves in key situations.

Reds' stubborn Austin Wynns stance defies logic, and it's time to the cut their third-string catcher

The Reds would appear to have their bases covered (literally) for the time being. With versatile fielders like Spencer Steer, Connor Joe, Gavin Lux, Santiago Espinal, and Garrett Hampson, it's not as if Terry Francona doesn't have enough positional flexibility as games begin to enter the latter stages. But players like Rece Hinds or Blake Dunn would provide certain skills that Wynns doesn't possess.

The power of Hinds and the speed of Dunn's are two things that are absent from Wynns' game. Francona also seems to cling to the notion of keeping Wynns in reserve just in case something catastrophic happens to one of Stephenson or Trevino.

Keeping Wynns on the roster has allowed for Cincinnati to trot out Stephenson as the team's DH; something that gets both his bat and Trevino's in the lineup. In terms of actual production, however, Wynns has a higher OPS (1.142) and is better at controlling the run game. If the Reds insist on keeping Wynns on the roster, then he should draw a start behind the dish at least once per week.

Yes, the Reds take the risk of losing Wynns for nothing if he's DFA'd, but it's not as if he's providing any value right now. He's merely an insurance policy for Stephenson and Trevino; something Reds President of Baseball Operations Nick Krall should have augmented during the offseason.

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