BREAKING: Reds takes major stern decision after horrible stint with Cincy
The Cincinnati Reds’ gamble in the Rule 5 Draft didn’t pay off. Cooper Bowman was returned to the Athletics on Wednesday after a disappointing stint with the Reds. His time with the team ended after he went 3-for-25 in 13 games during spring training.
Bowman was selected by the Reds in the Rule 5 Draft last December. For those unfamiliar with the process, players who meet certain eligibility criteria can be chosen in the Rule 5 Draft. Once picked, the player must be added to the selecting team’s 40-man roster.
The catch is that to stay with the team that selected him, the player must remain on the active roster (or injured list) for the entire season. That proved to be a challenge for Bowman, and instead of keeping him on the roster for the regular season, the Reds decided to let him go.
Reds send Rule 5 Draft pick back to Athletics after horrible stint with Cincy
Bowman always faced an uphill battle, but things became even more complicated after the Reds acquired infielder Gavin Lux from the Los Angeles Dodgers. Like Bowman, Lux is a versatile fielder, but unlike Bowman, he’s expected to be a key player for Cincinnati this season. Adding Santiago Espinal and, eventually, Spencer Steer into the mix, the numbers just didn’t work in Bowman’s favor.
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Meanwhile, Matt McLain and Christian Encarnacion-Strand have had strong springs, and both are crucial to the Reds’ success in 2025. While Bowman has the versatility to play multiple positions, Blake Dunn’s strong spring performance made Bowman seem expendable on the roster.
The Reds still have some tough roster decisions to make before Opening Day, but sending Bowman back to the A’s clears up some uncertainty. With the infield nearly set, the focus now shifts to the outfield. Will Stuart Fairchild make the cut? What are Will Benson’s chances of making the Opening Day roster? Has Dunn done enough to earn a spot?
The Reds paid the A’s $100,000 to select Bowman, but now they will be offered back for $50,000. If the A’s choose not to reacquire him, the Reds can outright Bowman to the minor leagues.