Tuesday marked one of the more eventful days of the Major League Baseball offseason, and the Cincinnati Reds were right in the thick of the action as teams across the league scrambled to finalize their rosters ahead of a crucial deadline. For Major League clubs, the period leading up to this date is always a high-stakes balancing act, requiring careful consideration of both current roster construction and future talent management. In this instance, teams were required to add all eligible prospects to their 40-man rosters by 4 p.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday to ensure protection from the upcoming Rule 5 Draft, which is scheduled to take place next month during the winter meetings. The Rule 5 Draft is an annual event that allows teams to select players from other organizations who have been in the minors for a specific amount of time but are not on their parent club’s 40-man roster. The draft serves as both an opportunity for other teams to acquire young talent and a challenge for clubs to protect their top prospects, and this looming deadline often forces difficult roster decisions.
For the Cincinnati Reds, Tuesday presented precisely that type of high-pressure scenario. The organization had a handful of notable prospects who were clearly deemed too valuable to risk losing in the Rule 5 Draft, and the team needed to take action to safeguard their future potential. The three players Cincinnati chose to protect were shortstop Edwin Arroyo, outfielder Héctor RodrÃguez, and infielder Leonardo Balcazar. According to the official MLB transactions log, all three were officially added to the Reds’ 40-man roster before the deadline. Each of these players carries a certain level of upside and has been regarded by scouts and front-office evaluators as a meaningful asset for the organization, either as a contributor at the major-league level or as a potential trade piece to enhance the roster further down the line.
Edwin Arroyo, the shortstop, is widely recognized within baseball circles as one of the Reds’ more advanced prospects. Known for his defensive capabilities and baseball instincts, Arroyo has steadily risen through the minor-league system and has been considered a likely candidate to contribute to the major-league roster in the near future. His ability to play multiple infield positions, along with a solid contact-oriented approach at the plate, makes him a versatile asset. Arroyo’s addition to the 40-man roster ensures that the Reds retain control of a player who could either step into a significant role in Cincinnati’s infield or become an appealing piece for trades if the team looks to strengthen other areas in the coming seasons.
Outfielder Héctor RodrÃguez, meanwhile, represents a slightly different type of prospect profile. RodrÃguez is celebrated for his athleticism, speed, and potential impact both on the basepaths and in the field. While his offensive game is still developing, scouts see enough upside in his tools and instincts that he is worth protecting. His ability to cover ground in the outfield, combined with speed that can turn routine plays into outs and create opportunities on the bases, positions him as a player who could see meaningful playing time in the majors, particularly if injuries or roster adjustments open a spot for him. RodrÃguez’s inclusion on the 40-man roster reflects the Reds’ commitment to preserving players who not only have talent but also provide flexibility for future roster moves.
Leonardo Balcazar, the infielder, rounds out the trio. Balcazar has been evaluated as a well-rounded prospect with a mix of offensive and defensive skills. While he may not be viewed as a surefire major-league star, his potential as a utility infielder or occasional starter makes him a valuable depth piece. Players like Balcazar often serve as important insurance policies for organizations, particularly over the long grind of a 162-game season, when injuries and slumps can make depth critical. By adding him to the 40-man roster, the Reds have effectively ensured they maintain control of a player whose skill set could become more valuable with experience and opportunity.
While these three additions were clearly necessary to protect the organization’s top prospects, they also posed a challenge: the Reds entered the day with only two open spots on their 40-man roster. Because of this limitation, adding all three players required the club to make a difficult decision and part ways with a current member of the roster to create the necessary space. After evaluating their options, the Reds designated right-handed pitcher Carson Spiers for assignment, making him the odd man out.
Spiers, 28, has been with the Reds organization for more than five and a half years, including three seasons on the major-league roster. He has served as a relief option for Cincinnati over that span, but his performance has been mixed. During the 2025 season, he appeared in 29 games and posted a 5.69 ERA. His struggles included allowing nine earned runs over just 13 and one-third innings pitched this year, highlighting the inconsistency that ultimately influenced the Reds’ decision. While Spiers still has two minor-league options remaining, his prolonged time on the injured list due to a shoulder impingement this season further complicated his standing within the organization. The Reds evidently decided that maintaining other players with higher upside or more reliable performance histories would better serve the team moving forward, particularly as they seek to solidify depth and flexibility at the major-league level.
Being designated for assignment (DFA) does not immediately end a player’s career, but it does place them in a state of uncertainty. When a player is DFA’d, the team has seven days to trade him, release him, or outright him to the minor leagues if he clears waivers. For Spiers, this represents an opportunity to potentially land elsewhere and make the most of a fresh start. Players in his situation often benefit from a change of scenery, as different coaching staffs and organizational philosophies can provide a new environment where they might find success or reestablish their value. After more than half a decade with Cincinnati, Spiers now faces the task of demonstrating his continued viability at the professional level, whether that is with another MLB team or through a minor-league assignment elsewhere.
For the Reds, however, the primary focus remains on the future. With Arroyo, RodrÃguez, and Balcazar now secured on the 40-man roster, the organization can approach the offseason with greater confidence in its ability to protect its top talent while also preserving potential trade assets. The Rule 5 Draft can often disrupt team plans, as losing an unprotected prospect can have ripple effects on depth and player development. By making proactive moves ahead of the deadline, Cincinnati has ensured that it can retain key pieces for the future while also preparing to make additional roster adjustments as needed in the offseason.
The timing of these moves is also crucial in the broader context of baseball operations. The 40-man roster represents a delicate balancing act between immediate major-league contributors and developing talent that may not yet be ready to contribute at the highest level. By carefully managing which players occupy these spots, teams like the Reds can maximize both present and future flexibility. Protecting Arroyo, RodrÃguez, and Balcazar reflects a long-term commitment to nurturing talent within the organization while simultaneously maintaining options to strengthen the roster through trades or other transactions.
It will be particularly interesting to monitor whether any of these newly protected prospects make an immediate impact at the major-league level. While not all 40-man roster additions are guaranteed to contribute right away, there is always the potential for a player to exceed expectations and become a meaningful part of the team’s big-league plans. For Arroyo, RodrÃguez, and Balcazar, this could be the year where opportunities arise, whether due to injuries, performance-based roster moves, or tactical decisions made by the Reds’ management. Their presence on the 40-man roster also sends a clear signal to other teams and the baseball community: Cincinnati values these players and is actively working to integrate them into its plans, both on the field and within the organization’s broader strategic approach.
Meanwhile, for Spiers, the next steps in his career will likely be defined by the market’s assessment of his abilities and potential. Teams in need of bullpen depth or a right-handed reliever may view him as a worthwhile pickup, particularly given his previous experience at the major-league level. While his recent performance statistics suggest challenges, the combination of youth relative to other free agents and prior MLB experience could make him an appealing candidate for a team willing to take a chance and provide a new environment for him to thrive. This phase of a player’s career can often be unpredictable, as success frequently depends on opportunity, health, and the ability to adjust in response to past struggles.
From the Reds’ perspective, designating Spiers for assignment and protecting their top prospects reflects a broader organizational philosophy emphasizing youth, development, and strategic flexibility. By prioritizing players like Arroyo, RodrÃguez, and Balcazar, Cincinnati has demonstrated a willingness to make difficult short-term decisions in order to secure long-term upside. This approach is consistent with many MLB teams’ strategies, where balancing immediate roster needs against future potential requires careful planning, timing, and sometimes tough choices regarding personnel.
Looking ahead, the addition of these three prospects to the 40-man roster may influence Cincinnati’s offseason strategy in several ways. For one, it provides the team with greater leverage in potential trade discussions, as protected prospects are often more appealing assets. Secondly, it offers insurance against injuries or underperformance among current major-league players, allowing the Reds to draw from a pipeline of talent that has been vetted and deemed worthy of 40-man roster protection. Finally, it signals to fans, players, and the broader baseball community that Cincinnati is actively managing its future, investing in player development, and taking steps to maintain a competitive advantage in both the short and long term.
Tuesday’s flurry of activity for the Reds illustrates the complex and often high-stakes nature of roster management in Major League Baseball. By adding Edwin Arroyo, Héctor RodrÃguez, and Leonardo Balcazar to the 40-man roster, Cincinnati has secured its most valued prospects and positioned itself for flexibility in the upcoming Rule 5 Draft and beyond. At the same time, designating Carson Spiers for assignment underscores the tough choices organizations must make when balancing present contributions with future potential. Spiers will now seek a new opportunity to showcase his talents elsewhere, while the Reds can focus on nurturing their protected prospects and continuing to build a roster capable of competing at a high level. Whether any of the newly protected players make an immediate impact at the major-league level remains to be seen, but their addition represents a significant step forward for Cincinnati’s roster management and long-term planning. With these moves, the Reds have taken a decisive action that highlights both the challenges and strategic thinking inherent in building a successful baseball team in today’s competitive environment.
