Cincinnati Reds' manager David Bell recently discussed how he plans to handle the team's surplus of infielders in 2024.
As of right now, the team enters the season with Jeimer Candelario, Elly De La Cruz, Matt McLain, Noelvi Marte, Spencer Steer, Christian Encarnacion-Strand and Jonathan India as infield options. Even with someone playing the outfield and someone at designated hitter, there's still going to be someone left out on any given day, assuming everyone is healthy.
With regards to Candelario, who the team signed to a three year deal this offseason, Bell says he's going to play every day, though he may shift around.
“We have young guys that need to play,” Bell said. “There are some growing pains there that they’ll need to play with. The more they play, the more they’ll improve. Adding a guy like Jeimer takes some of that pressure off. Between DH, first base and third base, he’s going to be an everyday player. There’s plenty of playing time to go around there.”
Candelario is going to be starting his ninth year in the big leagues with the Cubs, Tigers, Nationals and Reds.
Lifetime, the switch-hitter is a .243 hitter with 88 homers and 318 RBI. He became a solid regular in 2017 when he led the American League in doubles with 42.
With regards to India, who was thought to be a trade piece this winter:
“He’s 100% in on what we have here as a team,” Bell said on Wednesday during the Reds Caravan. “There has been, if anything, a little more of a shift toward ‘I am going to do whatever I have to do to be on the field and help our team win. Whatever that takes.’ He just wants to be on the field and in the lineup as much as possible. Obviously, he’s a second baseman. Depending on how things shape out, to be able to get him on the field as much as he wants to be and as much as we want him to be, there may be other positions he’s going to need to play.”
He could play first base or left field as well.
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