I wrote, not that long ago, that the corner infield and designated hitter spots weren’t being taken as seriously as the should be in terms of places the Cincinnati Reds should be looking to improve. Most of the focus has landed on the outfield. But I’m also aware that last year is unlikely to repeat itself. Each year is always different, you know. So I thought it might be an interesting exercise to take the a set of currently available projections for both current Reds players and free agents and see where Cincinnati could target money to get the best chance of significant improvement.For this exercise, I’m using the Steamer 600 projections which puts everyone on a level field for playing time. Yes, I know projections are imperfect and so forth. We’re all imperfect. Projections, are, at least, dispassionate. Also, I think it’s important to remember that defense matters both ways. With the exception of third base and center field, all the positions we’re discussing here are low-value defensively. That means a hitter needs to be not just average, but well above average to provide significant value at these spots.
Color me surprised that the projections think Espinal is the best option at third base. Though that’s more an indictment of the other options. Assuming Cincinnati find a platoon partner for Fraley, DH seems to be the biggest weakness on the team (and the Reds were god-awful there last year).
DH as a the weak spot means that it doesn’t really matter where a free agent acquisition plays. It matters that he can hit. So who are the best projected hitters of the current non-Soto free agent crop? Do keep in mind that, like most projection systems, Steamer pulls things to the mean. These guys are excellent hitters and all 30+, so the projections will come in south of their career numbers.
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