With all of the new acquisitions this offseason, one big question remains. Who will be the Reds starting third baseman?
Manager Terry Francona shared some thoughts on the infield earlier this week.
"In a perfect world, you can keep guys -- or at least your main guys -- at their positions, but at the beginning of camp, you're going to see guys move around," Francona told C. Trent Rosecrans. "As we get towards the end, if things are going well, you'll start to see guys playing where we'll think they'll play, but we have to answer some questions first."
Noelvi Marte played a lot of third base a year ago, but he really struggled offensively and defensively. It wouldn't be surprising to see Marte start the season in the minor leagues unless he has a fantastic spring.
Jeimer Candelario saw some time at third base last season but struggled before being sidelined with knee tendinitis. Despite that, Francona expressed interest in seeing if he could still handle the position this season.
Could Gavin Lux possibly be an option? Maybe.
Lux is expected to see time at first base, second base, third base, and in the outfield this spring. Francona wants to see where he feels most comfortable at, outside of second base.
One potential surprise candidate for playing time at third base is Christian Encarnacion-Strand.
While he made just nine appearances at the position for the Reds in 2023, he has 98 games of minor league experience at third. Francona noted that Encarnacion-Strand arrived at camp in outstanding shape, making him eager to see what he can do at the hot corner.
"We're on the same team, so we want to put guys in a position where they can play their best baseball," Francona said. "I'm not sure we know what that is today, but hopefully we will pretty soon."
With a mix of proven veterans, rising talents, and intriguing wild cards in the mix, the battle for the Reds' Opening Day third base job could come down to who seizes the opportunity in spring training -- whether it's Lux, Marte, Encarnacion-Strand, Candelario, or an unexpected contender.
Make sure you bookmark Cincinnati Reds Talk for the latest news, exclusive interviews, and daily coverage of the Cincinnati Reds!
You May Also Like:
Cincinnati Reds Release Tribute Video Honoring Pete Rose Following His Death
Pete Rose Shared POWERFUL Thoughts on Possible Hall of Fame Induction Before He Died
Cincinnati Reds Star Matt McLain is Healthy, to Play in Arizona Fall League
Report: Cincinnati Reds Rule Out Six Popular Managerial Candidates
Cincinnati Reds Expected to Target Two Candidates for Manager Job, Including Former Red
Cincinnati Reds Expected to "Aggressively Pursue" Trade for 3-Time All-Star This Offseason
Three Qualities the Next Cincinnati Reds Manager Must Have
Skip Schumaker Has Key Trait Cincinnati Reds Are Looking For in Next Manager
Nine Candidates to be Next Manager of the Cincinnati Reds Following David Bell Firing
Rhett Lowder Dazzles in Final Appearance of 2024, Wraps Up Impressive First Season
Marty Brennaman Weighs in on Reds Manager Search, Believes They Should Target World Series Champion Terry Francona
Cincinnati Reds Will Have to Compete With Multiple Teams to Land Skip Schumaker
Look: No. 2 Overall Pick Chase Burns in Cincinnati Reds Uniform for First Time
Watch: Nick Krall Discusses Reds' Decision to Fire Manager David Bell
Look: Cincinnati Reds 2025 Spring Training Schedule Released