The Reds are riding high after sweeping the Chicago White Sox and currently stand tied for third in the NL Central with a 9-6 record. Their next challenge is a series against the 6-10 Seattle Mariners, who recently lost their series against the Chicago Cubs.
While Nick Lodolo has returned to bolster the pitching rotation, the Reds are still missing contributions from Matt McLain and TJ Friedl. With Noelvi Marte suspended, Jeimer Candelario has been manning third base, and Christian Encarnacion Strand has taken on first base duties. Unfortunately, neither has been hitting well this season. Candelario has a .190/.250/.379 slash line with a .629 OPS, while CES is at .192/.197/.329 with a .526 OPS.
The hope is that with Friedl’s return, Spencer Steer could see some playing time at third, but for now, his hot hitting keeps him in left field.
3B – Evan Longoria
Signing Evan Longoria could be a smart move for the Reds, especially given his experience and versatility. Turning 39 this October, Longoria could provide valuable depth as a veteran presence on the bench for this young team.
Last season with the Arizona Diamondbacks, Longoria played in 74 games, recording 211 at-bats. He scored 25 runs, tallied 47 hits including nine doubles and 11 home runs, and drove in 28 RBIs. He also drew 23 walks but struck out 73 times. His slash line was .223/.295/.422 with a .717 OPS.
In the postseason, Longoria played 16 games, contributing three doubles, four RBIs, and three walks. Defensively, he remains solid at third base. In 14 games last season, he had 34 chances and maintained a perfect fielding percentage.
With Noelvi Marte potentially returning from suspension, Longoria could serve as a valuable mentor. His experience and reliability could make him an excellent addition to the team both on and off the field.
Wrap Up:
Considering Longoria’s age, it seems unlikely the Reds will pursue him. However, his veteran presence could have provided valuable mentorship to young prospects like Noelvi Marte. In hindsight, signing Tommy Pham, who recently inked a minor league deal with the White Sox, might have been a better move. Pham could have started in the outfield, allowing Spencer Steer to shift to third base.
Currently sitting fourth in the Central division isn’t ideal, especially with teams like the Brewers and Pirates off to strong starts. While it’s still early in the season with a 9-8 record, there are some concerns. The team has only two hitters batting above .300: Spencer Steer at .317 and Jake Fraley at .425. On the flip side, six hitters are below the .200 mark, including Christain Encarnacion Strand, Jonathan India, Jeimer Candelario, Santiago Espinal, Luke Maile, and Bubba Thompson.
Despite a +14 run differential, the team has struggled against tougher opponents, losing to the Brewers but winning against the Phillies. With upcoming games against stronger teams, the offense needs to improve. If not, even strong pitching won’t be enough, and both the run differential and the team’s record could suffer.
Prediction:
The Reds are unlikely to pursue Longoria, choosing instead to wait for key players like Matt McLain, TJ Friedl, and Noelvi Marte to return from injuries and suspensions. While Longoria could offer valuable on-field contributions in the short term, the team seems to lack leadership, especially following Joey Votto’s departure. It’s concerning to see the team’s struggles at the plate persist, and waiting another 4-6 weeks for players to recover could put them in a difficult position. With a challenging schedule ahead in April and May, including matchups against the Angels, Rangers, Phillies, and Padres, the Reds need to find their groove soon to avoid falling further behind in the standings.
