3 players for Cincinnati Reds to target this offseason

Suffice to say that the 2022 season did not go as the Cincinnati Reds had hoped.

The Reds had virtually zero margin for error last season as they slashed payroll during the 2021-22 offseason. Injuries and disappointing showings led to a 62-100 season and made it clear that another rebuild was about to begin. Considering they had just emerged from a rebuilding process from 2015 through 2018, this was not the result anyone had been hoping for.

Three players for Cincinnati Reds to target

Considering that the Reds slashed payroll last year, and have already traded Kyle Farmer to get out from under his salary in arbitration, this offseason could be similar to last year. However, the Reds have plenty of holes on their roster and could look at possible bargains on one year deals to not only fill those gaps, but potentially be flipped at the deadline to expedite their latest rebuild.

The Cincinnati Reds could end up being a factor for players looking to rebuild their value. Let’s look at three possible targets this offseason.

Michael Conforto

Michael Conforto could be the ultimate wild card in free agency.

He had been a valued power threat from 2017 through 2020, one of the key pieces in the Mets lineup. Although he had struggled in 2021, his track record was strong enough where he was expected to land a multi-year deal in free agency.

That contract never materialized. The lockout put a halt to free agency and led to Conforto injuring his shoulder as he continued to work out. Agent Scott Boras was not exactly forthcoming with information as to how bad the shoulder injury was, saying that he would be healthy in short order before finally admitting that he needed surgery which kept him out for the 2022 season.

Now that he is theoretically healthy again, Conforto is one of the more interesting players on the market. He has been linked to numerous teams already, although there have yet to be any actual rumors of his being contacted. However, given the lack of options in the corner outfield in free agency, it is possible that he could end up with a multi-year deal.

But that may not be his preference. Conforto could look at a one year deal to re-establish his value, returning to the market next year. If that is the case, the Cincinnati Reds could be the perfect landing spot. The holes in their outfield would guarantee playing time and the Reds’ hitter-friendly ballpark could boost his numbers enough for that next payday. Conforto may also be inexpensive enough for Cincinnati’s ownership to entertain that concept.

There are going to be plenty of teams interested in Michael Conforto this offseason. The Cincinnati Reds should be one of them.

Tucker Barnhart

Tucker Barnhart had been a part of the Cincinnati Reds for his first eight years in the majors before he was traded to the Tigers.

Barnhart had been a solid option behind the plate during that time. A two time Gold Glove winner, he possessed a bit of pop in his bat, made contact, and was not an automatic out in the lineup. That is more than some teams could say about their catching situation, making Barnhart an interesting option.

But it all fell apart offensively last season. Barnhart struggled to a .221/.287/.267 batting line with just one homer and ten doubles in his 308 plate appearances. He was another disappointment in the Tigers’ disastrous 2022 campaign, failing to live up to expectations as the team floundered.

This also makes a homecoming to Cincinnati possible. Yes, the Reds appear to have their catcher of the present and future in Tyler Stephenson. However, bringing in a veteran backstop such as Barnhart to not only help mentor Stephenson, but to also work with a young pitching staff, could pay dividends going forward. And if Barnhart can return to form, he could have value at the trade deadline as well.

The Cincinnati Reds could use a veteran mentor behind the plate. This is the right time to bring Tucker Barnhart back home.