The Cincinnati Reds have a numbers crunch. Eugenio Suarez will soon be activated. Maybe tomorrow. That means a domino will fall. Who goes to Louisville Bats to create a roster spot?
How many of these players are in the discussion?
TJ Friedl, Will Benson, Blake Dunn, Matt McLain, Ke'Bryan Hayes.
The 30-year old Friedl is hitting. 178. He's not hitting, running or fielding well. His playing time is decreasing. He's got minor league options.
The 27-year old Benson is hitting .171. Since Opening Day 2024, he's hitting .199 in 257 games. He can play all three outfield spots. He's got minor league options.
The 27-year old Dunn has opened eyes in his third call-up. In a very small sample size of just 31 plate appearances, he's hitting .357 with a .419 on-base. He's impacted games with his bat, speed and defense over the last week. He's got a minor league option. He's been a much different player this time around. Yet, it would be fair to think the new book on his will quickly circulate around MLB. Will he able able to adjust?
The 26-year old McLain has showed spurts of production to tease us all. He recently went 5 for 32, including an 0 for 19, then went 11 for 30, and is now in a 2 for 21 funk. Overall, he's hitting .208. Since Opening Day last season, he's hitting .217 in 197 games. This season, he's hitting .158 at leadoff, .197 batting 2nd, and .313 in the 9th spot. If he goes down, are they really going to play/rotate Sal Stewart and Spencer Steer at 2nd?
The 29-year old Hayes is hitting .142 with a .195 on-base percentage. He appears to be a lost cause. His playing time has been shrinking. He's completely and totally unplayable vs RHP (.111 BA/.344 OPS). He has managed a .648 OPS vs LHP, which coupled with his defense, creates a role and usage. Perhaps. But with a tick over five years of MLB experience, he can reject any demotions to the minors. I can't imagine he'd accept an assignment to Louisville. He'd become a free agent. Either way, the Reds are on the hook to him for $33.6M...guaranteed.
I can't imagine Nick Krall having the cahoonas to walk into Phil Castellini's office and tell him they need to write a check for $33.6M to have Hayes go away.
So.....who goes to make a spot for Geno?
And..........all of this, without even considering potential scenarios with Noelvi Marte and Edwin Arroyo.
How we lookin'?
