Elly’s Landing Spot

[CaiGuy]

I like this alignment using the current building blocks and the potential building blocks.

1B -
2B - McClain
SS - Barrero
3B - India
C - Stephenson
LF -
CF - De La Cruz
RF - Marte
DH -

That team could really be good on both sides of the ball. Hopefully Encarnacion-Strand keeps it up and takes one of those corner spots. Steer is probably more of a role player, but he could factor in somewhere.

For me, it's not about moving De La Cruz to make room for Barrero or anyone else, but about putting him in the spot that is best for the team, and where he can give the most value. I think that could be CF. The team should deploy the optimal defensive and offensive alignment whatever that is.

Corner OF is definitely the logical place to look outside of the org for help.

[Benihana]

Curious why you think McLain will be a better infielder than Marte or Elly, everything I’ve heard seems to indicate the opposite. McLain played 50 games as an OF in college. Neither Marte nor Elly has ever played OF.

[Kingspoint]

Not all of these prospects are going to be REDS. Some will be traded for whatever the team needs.

[corkedbat]

What position will Elly end up playing for the Reds? Is he the next Eric Davis, Barry Larkin or Manny Machado? Feel free to add your color as to why, and who ends up in the other two positions - is it Noelvi? McLain? Barrero? Arroyo?

EDLC's length, speed, instincts and arm would play well in CF or RF. I could easily see him sticking at SS, but with so many SS prospects percolating through the system...

I'm eventually move Marte to 3B and McLain to LF, For thr time being, As a bridge, I'd have Barreo or one of the above guys at SS, but my ultimate choice at SS would probably by Arroyo (with Acosta & Cabrera hot on his heels). Ycould also see them eventually deal India for corner OF or catching help &/or pitching with Steer at 2B.

Probably wouldn't do it, but you could probably fashio. A pretty respectable OF out of McLain - De La Cruz - Marte

[corkedbat]

EDLC's length, speed, instincts and arm would play well in CF or RF. I could easily see him sticking at SS, but with so many SS prospects percolating through the system...

I'm eventually move Marte to 3B and McLain to LF, For thr time being, As a bridge, I'd have Barreo or one of the above guys at SS, but my ultimate choice at SS would probably by Arroyo (with Acosta & Cabrera hot on his heels). Ycould also see them eventually deal India for corner OF or catching help &/or pitching with Steer at 2B.

Probably wouldn't do it, but you could probably fashio. A pretty respectable OF out of McLain - De La Cruz - Marte

The Reds have set it up so there are several talented versatile moving parts for the Reds future lineup by 2024.

De La Cruz (SS/CF/RF)
Marte (SS/3B/CF)
McLain (SS/3B/2B/LF/CF)
Arroyo (SS)
Steer (2B/3B/LF)
Encaraion-Strand (1B/DH)
McGarry (1B/LF/DH)
Vallojin (C)

I'd say India & Stephenson could still be around,, but I think a lot depends on their bat development over the next 1.5 years or so. I like quite a bit and the duo are the two guys most likely to be approached about extentions, but I'm not sure either is an elite bat I'd feel comfortable offering a 7-figure deal (considering how few of those the Reds Are gonna dole out- especially if Tyler has to move out from behind the plate). His bat is near-elite as a catcher, but @ 1B...?

[CaiGuy]

Curious why you think McLain will be a better infielder than Marte or Elly, everything I’ve heard seems to indicate the opposite. McLain played 50 games as an OF in college. Neither Marte nor Elly has ever played OF.

Fair point. I like Elly in CF, but as some have said, he is the guy you build around so maybe you leave him be. Marte is maybe the "weakest" defender of the group so he moves for sure. I still like Berrero, and he is maybe the strongest defender so he stays in the MI. Maybe he doesn't hit enough to stick anyways, but I hope so. I hope they keep India, but he should move off of the MI as there are better defenders incoming, so 3B makes sense to me. That leaves Marte for the corner OF. But maybe Barrero plays his way out of the picture and there is space on the IF for him as well.

This could also work, as McLain should have the wheels for CF. Not sure about his arm.

1B -
2B - Barrero
SS - De La Cruz
3B - India
C - Stephenson
LF -
CF - McClain
RF - Marte (or LF)
DH

That middle infield defense would be lit. Heck, Marte's bat may even play 1B, which he is probably going to be big enough to play.

[brian5562]

Fair point. I like Elly in CF, but as some have said, he is the guy you build around so maybe you leave him be. Marte is maybe the "weakest" defender of the group so he moves for sure. I still like Berrero, and he is maybe the strongest defender so he stays in the MI. Maybe he doesn't hit enough to stick anyways, but I hope so. I hope they keep India, but he should move off of the MI as there are better defenders incoming, so 3B makes sense to me. That leaves Marte for the corner OF. But maybe Barrero plays his way out of the picture and there is space on the IF for him as well.

This could also work, as McLain should have the wheels for CF. Not sure about his arm.

1B -
2B - Barrero
SS - De La Cruz
3B - India
C - Stephenson
LF -
CF - McClain
RF - Marte (or LF)
DH

That middle infield defense would be lit. Heck, Marte's bat may even play 1B, which he is probably going to be big enough to play.

Don't see Barrero as a 2nd baseman. for me he is either at short or RF

[RedTeamGo!]

I think it is more likely Barrero is out of the equation by spring 2024 than he is in the lineup at SS for the Reds

[Sea Ray]

Don't see Barrero as a 2nd baseman. for me he is either at short or RF

Barrero is not a starter unless he greatly improves at the plate. I wouldn't pencil him in as a starter at this point

[RedTeamGo!]

Barrero is not a starter unless he greatly improves at the plate. I wouldn't pencil him in as a starter at this point

I agree with this whole-heartedly. If you cannot lay off low and away and strike out constantly you will be out of baseball quickly. Unless for some reason your name is Aristides Aquino and you play for the Reds.

[brian5562]

I'd actually like to see him be more aggressive at the plate. He is laying off a lot of first pitch strikes. Most of the time it's the best pitch he sees. He keeps getting behind in the count and as mentioned then chases the outside breaking ball..

[klw]

Elly's landing spot is probably the Dodgers after he and Brandon Williamson are traded with Mike Moustakis for a rental of the ghost of Cody Bellinger and backup AA catcher.

[CySeymour]

Elly's landing spot is probably the Dodgers after he and Brandon Williamson are traded with Mike Moustakis for a rental of the ghost of Cody Bellinger and backup AA catcher.

[Kingspoint]