After trading Tucker Barnhart and Nick Castellanos opting-out of his deal. Questions linger over the Cincinnati Reds’ offseason approach. Over how aggressive the team will be regarding free agency.

Less than 24 hours after the World Series concluded. The Cincinnati Reds began the MLB’s offseason with a significant trade. Trading away Gold Glove winning catcher Tucker Barnhart to the Detroit Tigers. In exchange for a minor league infield prospect Nick Quintana. Barnhart spent his entire professional career up until this week in the Reds organization. Working his way up through the minors and spending eight seasons with Reds. Winning the Gold Glove Award in 2017 and 2020.

Barnhart was one of the key free agents I was hoping the Reds would retain. Given his mentorship role as a de facto pitching coach. Going through the peaks and valleys of the Reds pitching staff. Barnhart also served as a mentor to fellow catcher Tyler Stephenson. Now set to be the everyday catcher for the Reds next season.

The Reds front office indicated quickly in a post-trade press conference that payroll was a factor. Barnhart had a $7.5 million club option and will get a $500,000 buyout. While trading Barnhart is a reasonable move from a payroll perspective. A short extension would’ve been more reasonable. To give the Reds an experienced backup option; in case Stephenson has a sophomore slump. While giving minor league and U.S. Olympic team catcher Mark Kolozsvary time to work his way up. Instead of facing the potential of rushing his development; to give the Reds another backup option.

For such a high-profile catcher, one would figure the Reds would’ve striven for more in this trade. Instead, the Reds reverted to familiar form and traded a star player for a prospect. In an effort to save money and leave fans wondering about their contending aspirations. While Quintana could prove to be a decent infielder for the Reds. Unless the team shuffles him to another organization in a different trade. Quintana is in Single-A and it could be a while before he’s in position to boost the Reds infield. An infield that needs help after scraping by without an everyday shortstop.

While Barnhart being traded so quickly may’ve landed as a shock to some Reds fans. Nick Castellanos offered the least surprising announcement of this week. Through formally opting out of the two years left on his contract and becoming a free agent. Castellanos is halfway through a contract worth $64 million. After wrapping a phenomenal All-Star season last month. Many expect him to test out the free agency waters. He stands to be one of the most high-profile free agent outfielders.

One wonders since Reds general manager Nick Krall openly mentioned the payroll factor in trading Barnhart. Whether the Reds are clearing room in an effort to retain Castellanos. By giving him a massive payday and a lengthy contract. While retaining Castellanos is a goal the Reds should strive for. The Reds would be wise to not go overboard in their efforts to retain him.

Unlike the infield, the Reds have several options in the outfield. Even though those options lack the offensive consistency Castellanos delivered last year. Plus, the Reds have thrust themselves into past penny-pinching cycles after going overboard to retain stars. The Reds would likely do the same thing again. If they sign Castellanos to a long-term massive deal. Potentially undermining the Reds hopes of being contenders throughout this decade.

A lingering question is how much more payroll shedding is coming this offseason. If directly asked, Krall and company would say they want to contend going forward. The Reds have a team that could still contend even without Barnhart. Yet, the pandemic’s financial impact is putting the Reds in a penny-pinching mood again. Rendering Reds fans hopes that the team will be aggressive at the trade deadline or in the offseason.