Protecting the Jewels: A Way-Too-Early 40-Man Roster Discussion

[Bourgeois Zee]

Redleg Nation is having a rather interesting conversation about the off-season roster. Tons of guys need to be protected from the upcoming Rule 5 draft, among them:

- SS Elly de la Cruz
- 3B/ 2B Nick Quintana
- C Daniel Vellojin
- C James Free
- IF Spencer Steer
- Brandon Williamson
- IF Ivan Johnson
- CF Mike Siani
- OF TJ Hopkins
- SS Noelvi Marte
- P Luis Mey
- P Tanner Cooper
- C Chuckie Robinson
- 2B/CF Brian Rey
- RP Michael Byrne
- RP Eddie Demiurias
- RP Matt Pidich

Not only that, they'll have to add injured guys back too:
- Tejay Antone
- Tyler Stephenson
- Vlad Gutierrez
- Connor Overton
- Daniel Duarte
- Jeff Hoffman
- Tony Santillan
- Lucas Sims
- Art Warren
- Justin Wilson

How do you pare down the roster, RedsZone? Who would you risk getting exposed? Who would you protect?

[sdwagers]

- SS Elly de la Cruz
- IF Spencer Steer
- Brandon Williamson

no brainers here

- Jeff Hoffman
- Lucas Sims
- Justin Wilson

future endeavored.

[JCM11]

Looking at the Reds current active 40 man roster all these guys can be shown the door without hurting my feelings, Dugger, Cessa, Hendrix, Detwiler, Giabaut, Strickland, Reynolds, Aquino, Papierski, Moose, Solomon, Moreta, Dawson, Schrock, Kolozsvary, Fairchild, Lopez.

We have on the injured list Hoffman, Greene, Sims, Antone, Santillian, and Stephenson that will need spots at some point. The rest of the injured players I could live without. Then you add Elly, Marte, Steer, Williamson, Siani, Hopkins, Vellojin, and I. Johnson, and the rest can be unprotected.

Kuhnel, Ashcraft, Diaz, B.Farmer, Reiver
Lodolo, K.Farmer, Almora, Barrero, India
Votto, Fraley, Senzel, Hoffman, Greene
Sims, Antone, Santillian, Stephenson, Dunn
Freidl, Cerda, Elly, Marte, Steer
Williamson, Siani, Hopkins, Vellojin, Johnson

That's 30 spots for the post 2022 40 man and I could live without 5-6 of those guys. I left off some players that the Reds will keep, but I don't see why we couldn't protect all the players worth a darn and still add 5-10 players this off season. Time to trim some fat and get better players on the 40 man roster.

[Kc61]

Other cuts would come from the 60-day IL injured group, Justin Wilson, Duarte perhaps, maybe Art Warren. I think Hoffman could depart.

I’d expect a couple of those above (Moose, Hendrix) to survive for one reason or another. But the Reds will have a massive purge of maybe half the forty man roster this fall and I don’t think it will be a problem to make room for the guys to be protected.

[Wonderful Monds]

Sims should honestly go as well, the guy has yet to put up a full season in relief with a sub 4 ERA. Career 4.34 as a Red.

[Old school 1983]

To protect the jewels playing baseball a cup is usually the best approach.

- - - Updated - - -

It really seems like it’s time to eat Moose’s contract.

[schroomytunes]

Good post!!!

For me:

1) Elly DeLa Cruz
2) Noelvi Marte
3) Brandon Williamson
4) Mike Siani
5) Spencer Steer
6) Daniel Vellojin
7) Ivan Johnson
8) TJ Hopkins

Injured guys:

1) Tyler Stephenson
2) Jeff Hoffman
3) Tony Santillian
4) Tejay Antone
5) Vlad Guterriez
6) Conner Overton

that leaves me:

Votto, India, Barrero, Farmer, Fraley, Senzel, Almora, Greene, Lodolo, Ashcraft, SanMartin, Diaz, Dunn, Cessa, Moose.

thats 29. It's a pretty weak roster, so I would look to add young players from outside to upgrade the 40 and sign some mid tier FA's to modest contracts to shore up the talent level

[Tom Servo]

Not only that, they'll have to add injured guys back too:
- Tejay Antone
- Tyler Stephenson
- Vlad Gutierrez
- Connor Overton
- Daniel Duarte
- Jeff Hoffman
- Tony Santillan
- Lucas Sims
- Art Warren
- Justin Wilson

Vlad, Overton, Duarte, Sims, Warren, and Wilson can all easily be dropped from here. Hoffman is on the bubble, I could go either way. Keep Antone, Stephenson, and Santillan.

[Old school 1983]

Vlad, Overton, Duarte, Sims, Warren, and Wilson can all easily be dropped from here. Hoffman is on the bubble, I could go either way. Keep Antone, Stephenson, and Santillan.

I think you could hide Vlad and Duarte on the 60 day IL I want to see some more of Overton. The others. Peace out.

[mth123]

I see a full 40 man roster with 8 on the 60 day DL and all those prospects.

From the guys not on the 40 man, I think they need add 12 guys:

6 from the DL
Tyler Stephenson
TJ Antone
Tony Santillan
Lucus Sim
Vlad Gutierrez
Connor Overton

And 6 from the minors (though I'm not sure about the last 2)
Elly De La Cruz
Noelvi Marte
Brandon Williamson
Spencer Steer
Daniel Vellojin
Mike Siani

None of the others need added IMO.

To make 12 spots on the current 40 man, here is who goes:

Mike Minor
Art Warren
Ryan Hendrix
Ross Detwiler
Luis Cessa
Ian Gibaut
Robert Dugger
Aramis Garcia
Austin Romine
Michael Papierski
Alejo Lopez
Donovan Solano (FA)

To make additional room for signings, I would also DFA as needed (in the order below)


Ronnie Dawson
Dauri Moreta
Mark Kolosvary
TJ Friedl
Max Schrock
Stuart Fairchild
Aristedes Aquino

Since there are so many names that could be let go, if you want to add more minor leaguers, my order of priority would be

James Free
TJ Hopkins
Luis Mey
Ivan Johnson

I wouldn't protect any of the others.

[Coopdaddy67]

Sims should honestly go as well, the guy has yet to put up a full season in relief with a sub 4 ERA. Career 4.34 as a Red.

I think he's got a lot of potential though when he's healthy. He's shown flashes of being dominant.

I'd have a tough time just waving goodbye to him knowing it's a real possibility somebody picks him up and he becomes great.

If they're looking to shave off a couple bullpen arms from their 40-man, feels like there are better options that don't have Sims' upside.

[Kc61]

I see a full 40 man roster with 8 on the 60 day DL and all those prospects.

From the guys not on the 40 man, I think they need add 12 guys:

6 from the DL
Tyler Stephenson
TJ Antone
Tony Santillan
Lucus Sim
Vlad Gutierrez
Connor Overton

And 6 from the minors (though I'm not sure about the last 2)
Elly De La Cruz
Noelvi Marte
Brandon Williamson
Spencer Steer
Daniel Vellojin
Mike Siani

None of the others need added IMO.

To make 12 spots on the current 40 man, here is who goes:

Mike Minor
Art Warren
Ryan Hendrix
Ross Detwiler
Luis Cessa
Ian Gibaut
Robert Dugger
Aramis Garcia
Austin Romine
Michael Papierski
Alejo Lopez
Donovan Solano (FA)

To make additional room for signings, I would also DFA as needed (in the order below)


Ronnie Dawson
Dauri Moreta
Mark Kolosvary
TJ Friedl
Max Schrock
Stuart Fairchild
Aristedes Aquino

Since there are so many names that could be let go, if you want to add more minor leaguers, my order of priority would be

James Free
TJ Hopkins
Luis Mey
Ivan Johnson

I wouldn't protect any of the others.

I’m hoping Reds keep TJ Friedl who has been hitting really well at AAA.

He didn’t hit in the bigs but I hope he gets another chance. Good fourth OFer if he hits better.

[HokieRed]

I don't think this is going to be a problem. I have no problem coming up with 23 or 24 guys who could be dropped from the roster without being missed.

[Wonderful Monds]

I think he's got a lot of potential though when he's healthy. He's shown flashes of being dominant.

I'd have a tough time just waving goodbye to him knowing it's a real possibility somebody picks him up and he becomes great.

If they're looking to shave off a couple bullpen arms from their 40-man, feels like there are better options that don't have Sims' upside.

He’s shown flashes but never has put it together and seems hurt at least once a season for a stretch seems like. IIRC, he hasn’t been all that hot since the sticky stuff ban last summer, and he had one of the biggest drops in spin rate after that.

I would trade him and just move on IMO

[CmdrCody]

Redleg Nation is having a rather interesting conversation about the off-season roster. Tons of guys need to be protected from the upcoming Rule 5 draft, among them:

- SS Elly de la Cruz
- 3B/ 2B Nick Quintana
- C Daniel Vellojin
- C James Free
- IF Spencer Steer
- Brandon Williamson
- IF Ivan Johnson
- CF Mike Siani
- OF TJ Hopkins
- SS Noelvi Marte
- P Luis Mey
- P Tanner Cooper
- C Chuckie Robinson
- 2B/CF Brian Rey
- RP Michael Byrne
- RP Eddie Demiurias
- RP Matt Pidich

Not only that, they'll have to add injured guys back too:
- Tejay Antone
- Tyler Stephenson
- Vlad Gutierrez
- Connor Overton
- Daniel Duarte
- Jeff Hoffman
- Tony Santillan
- Lucas Sims
- Art Warren
- Justin Wilson

How do you pare down the roster, RedsZone? Who would you risk getting exposed? Who would you protect?

I have a question?

How is Elly de la Cruz on this list he has 3 seasons of pro ball. If you add in the 2020 Covid year when no MiLB was played he is still at 4 years so he’s not eligible for rule 5 until after next year.