In an interesting move that was announced on Friday evening, the Cincinnati Reds traded for Mark Payton. Back in December, Payton was the Reds Rule 5 draft pick from the Oakland Athletics. But when the outfielder didn’t make the Cincinnati Opening Day roster in late July, the Reds had to return him to Oakland per Rule 5 rules.
They must have still liked all that they had seen, though, because a few weeks later they have re-acquired him and this time he’s here to stay without Rule 5 restrictions. Bobby Nightengale of the Cincinnati Enquirer reported first that the Reds will be giving the Athletics cash considerations for their side of the deal to bring Payton back to Cincinnati.
#Reds have traded for OF Mark Payton, their Rule 5 pick. A’s will receive cash.
— Bobby Nightengale (@nightengalejr) August 7, 2020
The move was one of four that the organization made on Friday. The first three were to add left-handed pitcher Brandon Finnegan, outfielder TJ Friedl, and infielder Rece Hinds to the 60-man player pool. All three of those players, along with Mark Payton, were placed on the alternate site roster at Prasco Park.
Updated Prasco Park roster:
| Player | Position | Player | Position |
| RJ Alaniz | RHP | Francisco Pena | C |
| Tejay Antone | RHP | Mark Kolozsvary | C |
| Jesse Biddle | LHP | Alex Blandino | INF |
| David Carpenter | RHP | Jose Garcia | INF |
| Brandon Finnegan | LHP | Robel Garcia | INF |
| Hunter Greene | RHP | Rece Hinds | INF |
| Ryan Hendrix | RHP | Jonathan India | INF |
| Joel Kuhnel | RHP | Alfredo Rodriguez | INF |
| Nick Lodolo | LHP | Josh VanMeter | INF/OF |
| Alex Powers | RHP | Aristides Aquino | OF |
| Sal Romano | RHP | Stuart Fairchild | OF |
| Tony Santillan | RHP | TJ Friedl | OF |
| Tyler Thornburg | RHP | Mark Payton | OF |
| Boog Powell | OF |
Do note that I included Francisco Pena on this roster, though technically for roster purposes he’s on “the taxi squad” and he is traveling with the big league club at this point.
These moves leave the Cincinnati Reds 60-man player pool at 58 total players. There are 28 players on the active roster, two players on the 10-day injured listed, one player on the 45-day injured list (which is normally the 60-day injured list in a regular season – so this spot doesn’t count against the 40-man or 60-man player pool), and then there are 27 players on the Prasco Park roster (I’m including Francisco Pena in this number).
Needed a LHB off the bench I would guess that isn’t named Jankowski.
Tyler Stephenson?
You are right about the LHB and Payton is a “known quantity” to the Reds. Also Vanmeter(also LHB) seems lost at the plate right now and Winker(also LHB) just now seems to be finding himself (as per last night’s game). I just hope that the Moustakas’ (LHB)injury is a mild one, but this move may also be a sign that he will be out longer than we were told.
If Bowman (45-day list) doesn’t count against the 60-man player pool, then isn’t the pool at 57, not 58?
28 active roster +2 10-day injured list +27 Prasco Park = 57.
Baseball isn’t hard but boy the reds sure do a good job making it so difficult to understand most days. Add in a lost manager and you get a team like u have now. Sad