Cincinnati's infield depth eroded rapidly due to failed signings, trades, suspensions and injuries. Jeimer Candelario's signing failed, Jonathan India was traded, and Noelvi Marte received a PED suspension. Matt McLain missed a season with shoulder and rib injuries and has underperformed since returning. First basemen Christian Encarnacion-Strand and Spencer Steer regressed, with Encarnacion-Strand undergoing wrist surgery. The Reds added Santiago Espinal and a lefty-hitting utility piece, and acquired Ke'Bryan Hayes, who is now the starting third baseman while Marte moves to a corner outfield role. Right-side infield roles remain unsettled and the club lacks clear everyday alternatives.
It wasn't long ago that the Reds seemed to have an infield surplus. That has changed quickly. The Jeimer Candelario signing was a bust. Jonathan India was traded to Kansas City. Noelvi Marte tested positive for a performance-enhancing substance in Spring Training 2024. Matt McLain sustained significant shoulder and rib injuries and missed all of last year. First basemen Christian Encarnacion-Strand and Spencer Steer regressed, with Encarnacion-Strand's stock completely tanking when he underwent wrist surgery in July '24.
Cincinnati has needed to turn to trade a few times. They acquired glove-first utilityman Santiago Espinal in Spring Training last year. was brought in as a lefty-hitting utility piece last offseason. Lux has been an average hitter and will be due an arbitration raise on this year's $3.325MM salary. Espinal hasn't hit at all and will probably be non-tendered in his final arbitration season.
The former first-round pick carries a .221/.299/.329 batting line in 120 games. McLain came out of the gate on fire, homering in three straight games within the season's first weekend. He has eight home runs in nearly five months since then. He's hitting .217/.295/.305 in 464 plate appearances since the beginning of April. By measure of wRC+, he's among the ten least productive hitters in that time (as are Hayes and Espinal).
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