The universal designated hitter (DH) in 2022 brings significant advantages for the Cincinnati Reds. Here's how it impacts the team:

Key DH Options for the Reds:

• Mike Moustakas: Likely primary DH candidate

  • Can focus on hitting while managing injury concerns
  • Reduced defensive duties may help maintain health

• Eugenio Suarez: Will split time between 3B and DH

  • Coming off difficult offensive season
  • Removing defensive pressure could spark offensive revival
  • Previous shortstop experiment showed need for positional flexibility

• Aristides Aquino: Potential DH candidate

  • Hit 19 home runs with .259 average in 2019
  • Struggled recently with sub-.200 averages
  • Could benefit from focusing solely on hitting

Free Agent Impact:

• Nicholas Castellanos situation
  • Though unlikely to return, DH role makes him more attractive
  • Strong offensive numbers but subpar defense
  • Universal DH could influence recruitment strategy

Strategic Approach:

• Expect rotating DH system rather than single designated player
• Provides flexibility for managing player workloads
• Allows multiple players to benefit from reduced defensive duties

The universal DH gives the Reds valuable roster flexibility while potentially maximizing offensive output from key players. This strategic advantage could significantly impact their 2022 season performance.

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