Reds Cut Ties with Utility Player Espinal Amid Down Season
In a move that wasn't unexpected, the Cincinnati Reds have outrighted utility player Santiago Espinal from their 40-man roster. The decision comes after Espinal's third year of arbitration eligibility, during which he struggled at the plate and saw his playing time dwindle.
The 30-year-old outfielder had been with the team since 2024 but failed to regain the form that earned him an All-Star Game selection just three years ago. His batting average plummeted to .243 in 114 games, while his on-base and slugging percentages remained underwhelming at .292 and .282, respectively.
The Reds' decision to non-tender Espinal was likely influenced by his declining production, particularly after the arrival of third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes in a trade with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Hayes significantly reduced Espinal's playing time, limiting him to just 33 plate appearances over 20 games.
Espinal's defensive prowess, which had been a notable asset for the team at various positions, wasn't enough to offset his lackluster offense. He finished the season with a paltry -1.4 Wins Above Replacement, according to Baseball Reference, making him one of the least valuable players on the team.
In six seasons spanning from 2024-25 with both the Reds and Toronto Blue Jays, Espinal has consistently shown flashes of promise, boasting a career batting average of .261, 20 home runs, and 160 RBIs. However, his limited playing time and inability to elevate his performance have made him an unlikely fit for the team's future plans.
In a move that wasn't unexpected, the Cincinnati Reds have outrighted utility player Santiago Espinal from their 40-man roster. The decision comes after Espinal's third year of arbitration eligibility, during which he struggled at the plate and saw his playing time dwindle.
The 30-year-old outfielder had been with the team since 2024 but failed to regain the form that earned him an All-Star Game selection just three years ago. His batting average plummeted to .243 in 114 games, while his on-base and slugging percentages remained underwhelming at .292 and .282, respectively.
The Reds' decision to non-tender Espinal was likely influenced by his declining production, particularly after the arrival of third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes in a trade with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Hayes significantly reduced Espinal's playing time, limiting him to just 33 plate appearances over 20 games.
Espinal's defensive prowess, which had been a notable asset for the team at various positions, wasn't enough to offset his lackluster offense. He finished the season with a paltry -1.4 Wins Above Replacement, according to Baseball Reference, making him one of the least valuable players on the team.
In six seasons spanning from 2024-25 with both the Reds and Toronto Blue Jays, Espinal has consistently shown flashes of promise, boasting a career batting average of .261, 20 home runs, and 160 RBIs. However, his limited playing time and inability to elevate his performance have made him an unlikely fit for the team's future plans.
he's still 30 though so maybe next year he'll bounce back or get traded to a team that needs him more 
. His defense is still top-notch, but the offense has gotta step up or it's hard to stay in the bigs. Hayes is a great player, no doubt, but you can't just replace one guy for another. I think Espinal will find a new team that appreciates him more and gives him a chance to shine 
. And yeah, I think they were probably thinking about their future plans and saw no way to make him a fit anymore 
.
A .243 AVG isn't gonna cut it on a team like the Reds with guys who can hit for power... Hayes definitely made him look even less useful 
. Now he's just gotta find another spot in the league where he can contribute without being a liability 
️.
. He was like a great car, you know? It had some awesome years, but then it started to lose some of its oomph 
. And the thing is, he's still got potential, but he needs a change of scenery or something to get him back on track 
. The Reds were probably thinking, "Hey, we've gotta make room for guys who are gonna contribute more" 
. Still, you've gotta think about the future and how to build that winning culture 
...
he's still got that all-star form in him somewhere 
Espinal's decline is just heartbreaking, you know? I mean, three years of arbitration eligibility and he still can't get it together at the plate .243 AVG?!?! That's just sad for a guy who was once an All-Star hopeful 
. It's like they took away his playing time without even giving him a shot to prove himself. And that WAR of -1.4?!?! That's just brutal 
. I know he had some good years with the Blue Jays, but this Reds stint was just a mess. What happened to the guy who once showed promise?! 