Reds: Why is Jose Barrero on the roster if Kevin Newman is going to start?

This is a prove-it year for Jose Barrero. But Cuban infielder isn't getting much of a chance to prove himself due to the presence of Kevin Newman on the roster.

Barrero wasn benched for Tuesday's game against the New York Mets despite the fact a left-handed pitcher was on the mound. Instead, Newman got the start at shortstop. Barrero has started four games this month while Newman has been in the starting lineup seven times.

Of course, Newman has seen time at other infield positions, but he's played shortstop in four of those seven games. If the Cincinnati Reds want to continue to trot out Newman, so be it. But don't just allow Barrero to rot on the bench.

David Bell is the manager, and he gets to fill out the lineup card as he sees fit. But with Kyle Farmer and Freddy Galvis no longer in front of him, Jose Barrero finally had the opportunity to prove if he had what it takes to stick in the major leagues.

Instead, the Reds decided to swing a trade for veteran shortstop Kevin Newman. It wasn't the worst idea to bring Newman into camp and keep him onboard as a bench bat who could draw the occasion start at shortstop at second base. But Newman is playing way too much while Barrero is watching from the dugout.

While the fanbase is clamoring for the Reds front office to call up the likes of Elly De La Cruz or Matt McLain, I don't want to see anything of the sort until Barrero has been given a true opportunity or Newman is no longer part of the equation.

Is Jose Barrero the solution at shortstop? Probably not. While he looks more comfortable in the batters' box and hasn't struck out at the same rate as last season, he still owns a slash line of just .226/.290/.333. But Newman is only hitting .229/.261/.313.

At this stage of his career, the Cincinnati Reds should option Jose Barrero back to Triple-A and allow him to work as an outfielder. Get him some reps in right field and allow him to get regular at-bats down at Louisville. At this point, the Reds are doing nothing to help his development.

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