So hear me out here …
Let’s assume with Votto back that Wil Myers exclusively plays RF (and maybe DH once in a blue moon).
That would leave Votto, CES and Stephenson to cover 1B, DH and Stephenson’s purported 65 games at catcher.
OK, so let’s say in those 65 catching games, Votto and CES cover 1B and DH. So that’s puts each of them at 65 games played right there.
That leaves 97 games at 1B and 97 games at DH to cover, or a total of 194 spots open. Let’s say you give 75 of those spots to Stephenson and 85 to CES. That leaves 34 spots for Votto.
So your total games played would be:
CES: 150
Stephenson: 140
Votto: 99
That seems like a good distribution of playing time to me.
Now, besides those three, your other 10 position players to start the year are:
C: Casali, Maile
INF: India, Steer, Barrero, Newman
OF: Myers, Fraley, Friedl, Benson
Just jettison Senzel at this point; he doesn’t really fit. And would we really miss Chad Pinder if he failed to make the team?
Whenever McLain and Elly come up, jettison Maile (go back to 2 catchers) and Newman.
So tell me again why it makes sense to send CES to the minors?
It’s true, it’s true. Trust me …