In a move that signals their likely seller status ahead of the MLB trade deadline, the St. Louis Cardinals made headlines by claiming utility man Garrett Hampson off waivers from the Cincinnati Reds — and to make space, designated former top-100 prospect and ex-Red José Barrero for assignment. It’s a curious turn of events, as both players were recently cast aside by the same franchise.
Hampson, who was released last week to make way for Rece Hinds and Yosver Zulueta, barely made an impact in Cincinnati, going just 3-for-18 in nine games. Despite his minimal output, the Cardinals scooped him up, relieving the Reds of the remainder of his contract.
Barrero, meanwhile, hasn’t fared much better. Once considered the Reds’ shortstop of the future, the 27-year-old slashed a dismal .469 OPS this season and has struggled to live up to his early promise. After bouncing around, including a stint with the Rangers’ minor league system cut short by injury, his future in the majors now hangs in the balance.
With Elly De La Cruz shining at shortstop, Reds fans likely won’t lose sleep over either player’s departure — but the optics of a former top prospect being cut to make room for another ex-Red certainly add an ironic twist to this latest chapter in NL Central roster shuffling.
