I assume the Bats will keep Ivan Johnson and Francisco Urbaez as utlity options capable of playing pretty much all over the field aside from SS. I'm also assuming they'll keep one catcher, but want a better 3rd catcher option than Mat Nelson, Michael Trautwein, or Eric Yang. The rotation has four spots, but is untested at the major league level. Were I Krall, that'd be my first focus. There is no SS nor is there a 1B (unless you count Trautwein or Nelson) ready for Louisville. They might also play one of their six(!) OF at 1B to improve that prospect's utility and to provide PAs. They might be aggressive with Ibarra and either Pitelli or Arroyo, as there just aren't that many great options out there.
Here, then, would be the guys I'd offer a decent chunk of change as minor league depth. I'll indicate with italics those I'd offer a 40-man roster spot to in order to entice them to sign:
Logan Allen, LHSP (the Diamondback BOR innings eater)
Allen is fungible, but he'll provide innings. I like that as a AAAA guy who can give a team five or six starts at the major league level but save a AAA staff. He's got experience as a starter or reliever, but I'd prefer keeping him as a SP in AAA. They could definitely do worse. I'd offer a 40-man spot, but that's probably window dressing, as others will likely offer than same. I like the adequacy, but there's not much upside here. As a 6th/7th/8th depth guy, he's fantastic.
Brendan McKay, LHSP
At the other end of the spectrum is Brendan McKay, who has monster upside but a lousy track record of staying healthy. As the fifth starter for a Bat team that has Spiers, Phillips, Petty, and Acuna likely already in the queu, he won't be asked to do too much. McKay could also think about becoming a relief arm if he can't hack being a starter. As a LHP, he used to have great stuff-- I asume he still does. (If not, then obviously the deal changes.) He could come home again as well-- he's a Cardinal alum. McKay would be the one guy I'd bet most on who might well blossom into a real difference-maker at the major league level. He'd be a true 6th starter, if healthy. No track record. Pure gamble, but I'd pull the trigger for sure. The upside is immense (and the story too perfect).
James Karinchak, RHRP
Former monster in Cleveland but injuries have taken their toll. At this point, still might have a great arm, but it's probably going to have to be treated gently. An odd minor league FA type-- all upside but also a decent floor. I'd be fine with gambling the dice of him as a viable major league option. Most likely, other teams will as well. I'd offer a 40-man roster spot (releasing Legumina, if need be) hoping that he could recapture some of that former glory. Under Francona, so it might well happen.
Riley Pint, RHRP
Karinchak, but with even more of an issue throwing strikes. Elite arm. Elite fastball. Not much else. Maybe Johnson can fix him? Not one I'd offer a spot to, but the Reds do have a history of fixing former Rockies. (Hello, Jeff Hoffman-- sure could use you in Cincinnati.)
Miguel Diaz RHRP
Seven-year major league veteran who's the very definition of stash-in-case-of-emergency. Can be elite at times, but struggles with the strikes zone. Diaz is a solid minor league get who's likely to see MLB time in 2025. Not sure if I'd offer a 40-man spot, but probably wouldn't mind it.
C Willie MacIver
Absolute ton of options as 3rd catchers. (Could even double dip with, say Kevin Plawecki as the nominal major league backup, then a 3rd catcher as well.) Not sure what I'm missing here, but Willie MacIver could well be my second phone call (after McKay) in order to be a Bat. He's fairly young (28) and hit like a ton of bricks in AAA last year. He was 25% better than league average-- and played a ton behind the plate. Maybe he's got nothing defensively...? He was a legitimate prospect for Colorado too, in a might-make-the-40-man kind of way. Athletic too, as evidenced by 10 SB in 2023 and 9 last year. Really like him as a AAA option and 40-man roster guy. Might well be an advanced bat for the Bats. (Who'll likely need them.) Of the myriad of catching options, he's my favorite as a stash candidate-- and as a real option to see some time in Cincinnati next year.
SS Alan Trejo
He was a semi-regular for Colorado a couple of seasons and didn't hit much, but had a very good glove. That alone made him a replacement level player. That's good enough for a super weak SS class. Dom Pitelli and/or Edwin Arroyo will likely get pushed to this level if not for a placeholder. I'd prefer the placeholder, at this point, as it protects against MLB injury. If either proves dominant, they can always deal Trejo to a team that might need this type of guy.
1B Joey Menses
Burst onto the scene in 2022 as an old rookie who killed it with Washington. Fizzled (predictably) the past two seasons. Now 32, he's a 1B who hit okay last year. I'd prefer Edwin Rios, but suspect he's off to greener pastures. This, then, is the best of a rather poor lot. Menses could be a decent bat who gets hot for a month or two. That's worth keeping in AAA-- especially when the next best option is Ruben Ibarra (who should be in AA to start the season). He's the exact type of AAAA guy the Bats typically turn to. A fine and defensible add, if they choose. Easy, I'd guess, to bring on and take off the 40-man roster too. (That's a not insignificant thought process, fwiw.)
3B David Bote
With Johnson and Urbaez likely at some combination of 3B and 2B-- and Marte a distinct possibility-- 3B might not be a high priority on the totem pole of needs for the Bats. But Bote can hit and field the position. I actually wouldn't mind giving him a Spring Training invite as a possible utility guy capable of filling in at the four corners and, in a pinch, SS. At the expense, he's just as good a bet as Espinal (if not better). In order to entice him to play most of the season in Louisville, I'd dangle a 40-man roster spot, perhaps. Espinal's, in fact.
UT Michael Chavis
See Bote, David. Add uncertainty surrounding his bat. Good pop, solid ballplayer. Decent AAA insurance for massive spate of injuries at either 3B or 2B. Another Spring Training invite kind of guy. I don't think I'd offer the same enticement to Chavis as I would to Bote, if only because Bote has a longer history of being able to play up the middle and seems to be better defensively. (Not sure I can make that statement definitively, but that' my perception, at least.)
I assume they're not going to add any OF to an already-crowded room. (They may well make a one-for-one minor league deal with one or two of them near the end of Spring Training or over the winter.)
Who are your guys?
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