Cincinnati Reds Still Open To Adding Outfielder This Offseason

The Cincinnati Reds keep tinkering with their roster. They’re hunting for the right mix of youth, depth, and upside in the outfield.

Recent moves show the front office wants flexibility, not flashy headlines. They’re adding competition but leaving space for a bigger move if one pops up. With a tight payroll and not much to trade for, the Reds seem to be picking their spots and waiting things out.

Reds Add Outfield Depth, Not Everyday Answers

The Reds just added some outfield depth, bringing in glove-first center fielder Dane Myers from Miami. They also signed former top prospect JJ Bleday to a $1.4 million deal, hoping for a bounce-back.

Neither Myers nor Bleday looks like the long-term fix, but both give the team options. Both players have minor-league options left, which is pretty handy. That lets manager David Bell shuffle the roster as needed and see what works.

How Myers and Bleday Fit

Myers stands out for his defense and his ability to hit left-handed pitching. He’s got a career .297/.360/.456 line against lefties. The flip side? He struggles against right-handers, so he’ll probably end up in a platoon or as a bench piece.

Bleday feels like a classic buy-low shot. He was a high draft pick but hasn’t stuck yet. He’ll get a shot in left field, but he’s got to earn it. Nothing’s guaranteed as he tries to find his swing again.

Sorting Through the Left-Field Logjam

Cincinnati’s left field is crowded—and left-handed. The projected mix includes:

Juggling playing time for three lefty bats could get messy. Matchups will probably force a lot of lineup shuffling.

Right-Handed Balance and Marte’s Role

On the righty side, Noelvi Marte and Dane Myers bring balance. Marte should be the everyday right fielder. He gives the Reds a steady presence in the outfield.

Myers will see more action when there’s a lefty on the mound. Otherwise, he’ll be waiting for his shot.

Spencer Steer and the Ripple Effect

Spencer Steer is a real wild card. A shoulder injury last spring kept him at first base most of last season. If his arm holds up, the Reds could use him more in left field.

That move would shake up the rest of the lineup for sure.

Opening the Door for Sal Stewart

If Steer plays more outfield, that opens first base for Sal Stewart. Stewart’s been tearing it up at Triple-A, hitting .309/.383/.524. He even launched five homers in just 18 big-league games late last year.

The Reds seem pretty excited about Stewart’s upside. If things break right, he could get regular at-bats sooner than later.

Center Field: Upgrade or Stand Pat?

Finding a true center fielder would let TJ Friedl slide into left field full time. Friedl, under team control for three more years, led the Reds with a .364 on-base percentage.

The team’s made it clear: they aren’t trading him. Honestly, why would they?

Trade Market and Payroll Reality

The challenge is availability. The market for true center-field upgrades is thin, with names like Jake Meyers and Luis Robert Jr. circulating in league conversations.

Robert’s roughly $20 million salary, though, presents a major hurdle. Cincinnati’s payroll projects around $111 million, which is right in line with last season’s opening figure.

That leaves limited—though not nonexistent—flexibility. The front office seems to prefer trades over free agency if they go after another outfielder.

For now, the Reds seem content to let competition, health, and development shape their outfield. Still, they’re quietly keeping an eye on the market for the right opportunity.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Reds Remain Open To Outfield Addition