2021 Cincinnati Reds Spring Training

[mth123]

If Strange-Gordon makes the roster, the only bright spot would be him using "People Are Strange" by the Doors as his walk-up song. If he doesn't do that, there isn't really any reason at all to keep him...

...But they will.

[Ron Madden]

Haha!
https://mobile.twitter.com/Bbl_Astro...98721707597825

[gagliano]

Judging from the few intereviews he has given, his social media, and what the announcers and beat writers say about Farmer, he seems quite likeable. It just could be a simple as that.

Well then Ohtani from LA must be the nicest guy in the world. I can't go a day without seeing a story about him on MLB site. So he pitches and bats. Big deal.

[Kc61]

I’m sure Reds hoped Aquino would get the extra option year.

I didn’t think he’d make the team for OD if he had a minor league option. Naquin might be more useful, and the backup IF (Farmer, maybe Blandino) could be two RHHs.

If Votto is out, it’ll make it easier to keep AA on roster initially. Maybe not item #1 for the team this year, but should be interesting to see how this plays out.

[mth123]

I’m sure Reds hoped Aquino would get the extra option year.

I didn’t think he’d make the team for OD if he had a minor league option. Naquin might be more useful, and the backup IF (Farmer, maybe Blandino) could be two RHHs.

If Votto is out, it’ll make it easier to keep AA on roster initially. Maybe not item #1 for the team this year, but should be interesting to see how this plays out.

Naquin is a lefty bat.

[Bourgeois Zee]

With news on extra options, I think the Reds might end up keeping both DeLeon and Cionel Perez in the minors to start the season.

Garrett
Sims
Doolittle
Antone
Ramirez
Bedrosian
Hembree
Fullmer

As for the offensive side, I'm guessing no Votto to begin.

Stephenson
Barnhart
India
Suarez
Moustakas
Farmer
Strange-Gordon
Blandino
Winker
Senzel
Castellanos
Aquino
Naquin

[Ron Madden]

Aquino has higher odds of making the Opening Day roster as a bench bat because he’s out of options.

The Reds maintain some flexibility to keep De León as a starting pitcher, the role he’s had throughout spring training, because he doesn’t have to be on the Opening Day roster to remain in the organization. If De León was out of options, he would’ve likely fit in the bullpen because it’s the easier way to keep him on the active roster. Lucas Sims was out of options prior to the 2020 season and it prompted his move to a full-time reliever. The same thing happened with Robert Stephenson in 2019, too.

Cionel Pérez is a candidate to make the Opening Day roster with the way he’s pitched in camp, but relievers with options are valuable from a team’s perspective.

“We got stuck a couple of times last year because we had to take a couple guys off the roster who were out of options,” General Manager Nick Krall said in November.

Bobby Nightengale, Cincinnati Enquirer

[Kc61]

Naquin is a lefty bat.

I meant Farmer and Blandino are righties.

If they both make it, Reds might prefer Naqion, a lefty, as OF backup.

Aquino being out of options might complicate that.

If it’s Stephenson, Blandino, Farmer, Naquin and Strange-Gordon (utility) there’d be no room for Aquino. But now he’s out of options.

[mth123]

I meant Farmer and Blandino are righties.

If they both make it, Reds might prefer Naqion, a lefty, as OF backup.

Aquino being out of options might complicate that.

If it’s Stephenson, Blandino, Farmer, Naquin and Strange-Gordon (utility) there’d be no room for Aquino. But now he’s out of options.

Simple. Send Strange-Gordon away ASAP. in his case utility means he's can't really play any position reliably.

[Ron Madden]

Charlie Goldsmith @CharlieG__

David Bell on Aquino, who learned he was out of options today: “It gives clarity, which is really important… I don’t think it’s going to affect our decision making very much."

David Bell confirms Tejay Antone will begin the year in the bullpen. "He has a chance to be a big part of our bullpen, someone who can help us win game in a variety of roles."

[Kc61]

Simple. Send Strange-Gordon away ASAP. in his case utility means he's can't really play any position reliably.

More likely Reds will add Aquino to the bench and IL Votto for a short while.

And then worry about the issue later.

[Ron Madden]

Bobby Nightengale
@nightengalejr
David Bell says he doesn’t think the news of Aristides Aquino being out of options will affect the decision-making process much. “We've kind of talked about both scenarios and were prepared for either way.”

[Mitri]

I see no reason for DSG to be on this team.

I like the Naquin/Shogo, Farmer/Blandy configuration. It’s not perfect but they’re all well-rounded players who can play solid defense and give good at bats if placed in the right scenarios. Those 4 plus Stephenson is a good bench.

[Kc61]

Interesting quote by Bell.

I’m sure Aquino would have preferred: “We’re not concerned about option years the player is on our team.”

Sometimes it’s better to say nothing in these situations.

[*BaseClogger*]

Maybe I'm too into the tank on the 2021 Reds' beer league softball approach, but I value Aquino's raw power tool over about any other tool by a prospective competitor for a bench spot, and I only value Shogo more overall. Naquin's toast. I don't care about any of the infielders, which means I'd option Blandino for depth. It's INSANE they don't have a steady defensive SS who can have a respectable at bat in their entire organization...