Reds Trade Keppinger

Now that the Reds have traded Jeff Keppinger to the Astros here is where their roster situation stands as of today, with 30 players still in camp, and needing to cut down to 25.

They are going to keep 12 pitchers, 10 of which are definite:

1. Arroyo
2. Burton
3. Cordero
4. Cueto
5. Harang
6. Lincoln
7. Owings
8. Rhodes
9. Volquez
10. Weathers

For the last two slots there are four contenders

1. Bray and Herrera for the LH relief slot
2. Bailey
3. Masset

As far as the 13 position players, they still have 16 in camp, 11 of which are definite:

1. Hanigan
2. Hernandez
3. Encarnacion
4. Gonzalez
5. Hairston
6. Phillips
7. Votto
8. Bruce
9. Dickerson
10. Taveras (ugh)
11. Gomes - not 100% definite, but that's the rumor

That leaves two spots left.

One will go to an IF: Janish or Rosales
One will go to an OF: Nix, McDonald or Castillo

What I think Dusty will do:

1. Herrera
2. Masset

Bray will stay in Sarasota to keep working, Bailey will be assigned for now to AAA. The Reds will try to move Masset if they can to another team, then bring Homer up.

1. Janish
2. McDonald

Slight edge to Janish over Rosales because he's a better glove at SS and I think they are really committed to being better defensively up the middle this year. Janish has played a few spring games at 3B to see if he can do it and he looked good there.

The OF slot is a close call. McDonald has had a great spring. Nix started off well, but has tapered off. McDonald is a better fielder from what I've seen.

Castillo is kind of a wild card because he can catch, play 2B and OF. He's versatile and an excellent athlete, but I think he loses out because he's a jack of all trades and master of none.

P.S. At my last game in Sarasota, Reds vs. Rays, I left because of a long rain delay and I wanted to get on the road. BUT before I left I was able to shake Dusty's hand to wish him good luck. I also got Eric Davis' autograph.