Wittenmyer & Williams is a regular point/counterpoint column from Enquirer Reds reporter Gordon Wittenmyer and sports columnist Jason Williams. This week, they weigh in on the Jeimer Candelario benching and manager Terry Francona’s win-now approach.

Williams: What the heck did you say to Noelvi Marte in spring training that turned him into the second coming of Alex Bregman as we head into May. Honestly, didn’t think I’d see Marte back in the big leagues with this team.

Wittenmyer: Conversations that go on in the clubhouse stay in the clubhouse, buddy. But seriously, you weren’t wrong to think the way you did after what we saw last year and obviously Marte had a lot to prove with the new manager sending him to the minors to start the season. Give Marte credit for taking advantage of an opportunity when he got called up.

Williams: Let’s settle down here. Marte still has a lot to prove, especially after blowing his rookie season on the 80-game steroid suspension and then 66 games of looking like he wasn’t ready to play. And he’s only here now because of injuries.

Wittenmyer: But he has stayed so far because he made the most of that opportunity. And his biggest opportunity right now is named Jeimer Candelario.

Williams: Don’t get me started on the Reds’ biggest waste of money since Mike Moustakas.

Wittenmyer: You’re right about that so far. Candelario was one of the biggest question marks coming into the season because of all the injuries and lack of production in his first season with the Reds last year. And the biggest question right now with him might be how much playing time does $45 million buy for a guy hitting .113.

Williams: Maybe it should buy him an unconditional release. This is a guy who had three hits in his first four at-bats this season – and six in 20 games since. Time for the Reds to cut their losses. We’ve seen enough of this guy.

Wittenmyer: It might be a little early for that. But one thing’s for sure: The new manager has seen enough for now. Terry Francona said Monday what he alluded to the previous day that Candelario is now on the bench.

Williams: Well, it’s about time.

Wittenmyer: Actually, the timing might say as much about the manager and his approach to winning as it does anything else.

Williams: How hard is it to bench the worst player on the team?

Wittenmyer: Right. But my point is, the more common approach for a new manager with the veterans would be to give them even more time. Maybe until mid-May before making a move like this. Francona isn’t wasting time trying to get the most out of the pieces of his roster and that’s part of why they hired him. Just ask Alexis Diaz. Francona essentially demoted the 2023 All-Star from the closer position before the season ever began.

Williams: These are moves that should’ve been made a long time ago. It’s part of what went wrong last season. Can’t worry about hurting people’s feelings. Francona wasn’t mincing words from Day 1 when he said: “What’s enjoyable is playing the game right and trying to kick somebody’s ass.” To follow through on that, means holding players accountable and making tough decisions. I love it. Hopefully, Reds fans see it and do as well.

Wittenmyer: That’s what this team was missing last year and even some of the players admitted that. But here’s the thing about those tough decisions: Francona brings tough love to that process. Just look at Marte. He didn’t bury the guy. That would’ve been easy to do. He gave the guy a chance to prove himself. And when he did, he gave him the opportunity to play and at least for the last three weeks it’s paid off.

Williams: It’s only been a month and we’re already seeing results of bringing in a hall of fame manager. The Reds went into Tuesday a game out of first place and are assured of finishing April with a winning record. Not bad for an underfinanced team with no closer and its highest-paid hitter riding the bench.

Wittenmyer: Makes you wonder what he’ll do over these next five months, especially if the front office is in position to add at the trade deadline.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: What Candelario benching says about Terry Francona, new Reds regime