The infield mix in Cincinnati got a bit less crowded yesterday when third baseman Noelvi Marte was suspended for 80 games after testing positive for Boldenone, a banned performance-enhancing substance. That loss of Marte figures to substantially impact the club’s plans in the first half of the season, as Charlie Goldsmith of the Cincinnati Enquirer notes that the 22-year-old was slated to start anywhere from six to nine of every ten games for the club this season. That leaves around 50 to 70 starts in the first half of the season to be accounted for, though the Reds fortunately have plenty of options at their disposal who will be able to help cover for Marte’s absence.
In particular, Goldsmith notes that offseason addition Jeimer Candelario is expected to get the lion’s share of playing time at third base, which would open up starts at first base for the likes of Christian Encarnacion-Stand and Jonathan India, as well as DH starts for outfielders such as Spencer Steer and Jake Fraley. While Cincinnati’s decision to not only decline to deal from the crowded infield mix in order to improve other areas of the roster, but also bolster said infield with the addition of Candelario was somewhat surprising at the time, in light of Marte’s suspension the choice to maintain the club’s depth ahead of the 2024 campaign appears to have been a wise one.
While Marte’s absence appears likely to increase the playing time available for several players, the specific positions where that playing time is less certain given the number of versatile players the club has at its disposal. Manager David Bell recently indicated to reporters (including Goldsmith) that Elly De La Cruz and Matt McLain would remain focused on shortstop and second base, respectively, in light of Marte’s injury, while Spencer Steer will continue to be a regular presence in the club’s outfield mix. That being said, Bell also noted that Candelario still figures to see some time at first base.
Meanwhile, each of De La Cruz, McLain and even Steer are capable of playing all around the infield, and India figures to play a mix of first, second, third, and left field this season. With Encarnacion-Strand likely to get regular time between first base and DH, some DH starts likely to be offered to catcher Tyler Stephenson, and the likes of TJ Friedl, Will Benson, and Jake Fraley fighting alongside Steer for regular time in the outfield, the club still has more regulars competing for playing time than room in the starting lineup. While it should be noted that injuries and under-performance can allow those playing time issues to resolve themselves naturally throughout the season, it appears that the club’s positional mix is largely healthy entering the season.
That even goes for India and McLain, despite the fact that the pair have both largely sat out games to this point in the spring. India made his spring debut just yesterday after being slowed entering camp by a tear of his plantar fasciitis, as debut that was right in line with what was expected last month. MLB.com notes that Bell has indicated to reporters that India should have “plenty of time” to prepare himself for Opening Day later this month, and it seems reasonable to expect that the same would apply to McLain, who Bell indicated is slated to make his spring debut tomorrow. India will look to build on a 2023 season that saw him slash a league average .244/.338/.407 in 119 games while battling the aforementioned plantar fasciitis, while McLain figures to be a key fixture of the club’s lineup after slashing an excellent .290/.357/.507 in 403 trips to the plate during his rookie season last year.
Also poised to make his spring debut tomorrow is left-hander Nick Lodolo, who Goldsmith adds is “probably not” in position to make a start during the first week of the regular season, per Bell, with the Reds targeting a potential first start of the regular season on April 9 against the Brewers. That would leave Lodolo poised to miss the first two turns through the starting rotation to open the season, meaning the club could start the season with a rotation of Hunter Greene, Frankie Montas, Graham Ashcraft, Andrew Abbott, and Nick Martinez. It’s a big season for Lodolo, who struggled to a 6.29 ERA and 5.79 FIP in seven starts last year before missing the remainder of the 2023 season with a stress reaction in his left tibia. Prior to his injury-marred 2023 season, Lodolo entered the 2022 campaign as a consensus top-40 prospect in the sport and made 19 starts for the Reds, pitching to a 3.66 ERA with a 3.90 FIP in 103 1/3 frames.
It’s going to take more than a little ringworm to slow this team down. Talent everywhere.
Except in the starting rotation. Not quite good enough to make the playoffs IMO.
Plenty of talent in the rotation. They just haven’t been healthy or consistent yet.
Ceiling? Ridiculously high
Floor tho? Also stupid low
That’s what you get with a team full of young unproven talent
Disagree. If those kids stay healthy, that rotation is going to be nasty. In fact, I fully expect Nick Martinez to be pushed into the pen by May 1.
And, on paper, the pen is as good as it’s been in decade.
Don’t sleep on Nick Martinez
If De LA Cruz maintains consistency throughout the season and if McLain continues to play like the real deal, this team looks juggernautish. The pitching is going to improve – you can already see it. I’m noticing that Fairchild had been hitting really well. What if he gets 400 to 500 abs? You take that sprinkle in some Benson, Encarnacion-Strand, along with India and Candelario, then I see them winning the NL Central by at least 10 games.
Brewers and cubs are both really good teams. Even if everything goes perfect, hard to imagine reds pulling ahead by 10+
The Brewers aren’t nearly as good as they were even a year ago. The Cubs should be better under Counsell and you can’t count out the Cardinals and the Pirates could surprise. The NL Central is fairly wide open
As a Pirates fan maybe not 10 games but IMO they have the best team. The Cubs are about the same, the cardinals did nothing but get older, and I simply don’t think Milwaukee has that deep of a team. The Pirates have got better but to many question marks with rotation. The Reds fans should be pleased with the effort their front office gave them.
Very pleased w reds fo this offseason. Especially in this market
I thought the pirates were going to make a big move. They matched up well with Miami and others plus have the funds to invest. What are they waitin for ?
They supposedly offered more to the guy who signed with the cubs, and the issue with the Marlins was they simply had to many injuries to trade Cabrera. Who knows they played the same off season script as last year
It’s not just about Cruz and McClain, Steer is steady and gets no attention, Friedl Benson Farley too, there’s a hand full of solid ass just good ball players on this roster.
Teams should embrace a 6 man rotation already. Even the reds have the starters available to run a 6 man out there most of the year
Bigger than Pete Rose? The Cincinnati Royals? Willard Hershberger?
bigger than losing Jerry springer?
Well played Sir, well played
How do you “sweeten a deal” that never existed? Glad he’s gone!
Votto is corny and the Reds don’t want their young core to be influenced by it. Smartest move they’ve made since the end of the last season.
What does that even mean
Sleep on it Jack. Briar-patch is correct. “Corny” describes what I have felt but couldn’t put my finger on it Hahaha
The Reds will miss Votto’s veteran presence, as will I. Candelario was brought in to provide some of that veteran presence in the infield.
Jose barreo just made the club now
Naw he was claimed off of waivers by the Rangers earlier today
Cool so their roster is still 9 IFs and a OF consisting of 2 midgets w/ manbuns and a platoon guy who Ks 40% of the time
They should be able to draw some walks then
That midget with a man bun got an MVP vote last year
“Manager David Bell recently indicated to reporters (including Goldsmith) that Elly De La Cruz and Matt McLain would remain focused on shortstop and second base, respectively, in light of MARTE’S INJURY”
Does Bell mean Marte’s Ringworm???
Has to be talking about a ringworm cause I didnt see any other Marte on the Reds.
Unless he talking about a rampant ringworm epidemic spreading like a wildfire inside the clubhouse.
If that’s the case, Bell better shut down the showers to stop these damn Gen Z’ers Hungarian Ring Worm infestation.
Reds outfield corp is sneaky good and witth be a strength this season. Friedl is an above average CF and Benson is set to have a breakout year. Steer is a good solid RH hitter and new to Reds outfield. Plus there’s Fraley and Fairchild on the bench. Reds have Martini and Bubba for depth and rising prospect outfielders in Hurtubise, Hinds, & Dunn.
I’m cautiously optimistic. It could be a real surprise this year, but does have question marks. Hopefully Friedl is for real but is a regression candidate, and if he gets hurt Fairchild is the only other true CF and hasn’t been an every day hitter yet in his career. I do hope benson breaks out, but he and Fraley’s lefty splits are not good. And Steer is a great young hitter and should be young and athletic enough to be passable in the OF – surely he can’t be worse than some of the OFs who’ve played out there
I think the Reds are a young, and can be a very surprising team. The central should be theirs.