Cincinnati Reds 2025-2026 Offseason Wish list

• Austin Hays – $12 million (mutual)
• Scott Barlow – $6.5 million (club)
• Brent Suter – $3 million (club)

Hays started off hot before injury after injury after injury slowed his pace. A fine player, but he falls into a similar bucket as Andujar and Steer: ideally a platoon player who you like more as a bench bat than a middle-of-the-order piece. The $12 million will not be picked up by the Reds.

Barlow and Suter each had moments and stretches where they were valuable for the Reds. At the end of the day, neither are needle movers. Want to bring one back? That’s fine. But roster spots need to start being filled with better players, and using their money elsewhere could be needed.

Top Offseason Priorities

Improve the Outfield

The Reds have been trying the make the same outfield work for three straight seasons. They finally parted with Jake Fraley, but there are more players who need different roles. Are the current options bad? No, but a team full of fourth outfielders and limited ceilings is not the best roster construction.

Will Benson is a loveable player with raw tools and a 93 wRC+ across 1,031 career at-bats. It’s time to accept what he is and stop hoping he can turn into his best-case outcome. Noelvi Marte bounced back to show promise and should be afforded a spot heading into next year. TJ Friedl as well. Oh yeah, don’t play Gavin Lux in the outfield again.

If two-thirds of your outfield is filled with a promising but not established player and a guy who’s solid but comes with a limited ceiling, then your addition needs to be significant. An established player who has the ability to drive offense and impact the lineup.

Potential Free Agent Fits: Cedric Mullins, Trent Grisham

Mullins made a name for himself in 2021, putting up a 30/30 season with a 6 fWAR, but he has not matched that production since. The 31-year-old lefty outfielder would bring above-average defense and speed while also raising the floor of the outfield, but does he raise the ceiling?

He’s not the type of hitter who would likely get a power boost by playing in Cincinnati. He does not hit the ball hard or drive gaps. The Reds need a veteran lefty bat, and he fits that description, but I would not be jumping for joy over the move.

Grisham is coming off by far his best season, hitting 34 home runs and posting a 129 wRC+. This past year was the first time he surpassed 20 home runs, while also ending his streak of hitting under .200, which lasted three seasons.

His defense and speed have both been trending in the wrong direction for three straight seasons, which is a concern for a player who just turned 29. I’m very hesitant to give a player a contract coming off a career outlier year, but it would not surprise me if the Reds do just that.

Both of these players fit the sweet spot where small market teams see them as the perfect $10-$16 AAV investment and larger markets have their eyes elsewhere. Both concern me, but also feel like the type of move the Reds have made in the past.

Potential Trade Targets: Jarren Duran, Steven Kwan, Luis Robert Jr.

Trading for any of these names would certainly be a splash. Duran has been floated since the deadline and would be a great fit for the Reds. He’s under team control through 2029, gives you a lefty bat, and improves your team speed, while I think there’s more power to tap into.

Kwan was formerly a player under Francona and a name the Reds were rumored to be interested in at the deadline. He’s a phenomenal bat-to-ball hitter and defender, two attributes the Reds have told us they value. He’s probably the best overall fit for what the Reds are trying to do.

The issue with acquiring either of these players would be the cost. Both established, both with multiple years of control. I’m all for the Reds taking a risk, but I don’t want to see Hunter Greene in a Boston uniform. Open to other ideas.

Lastly, Luis Robert Jr.. The idea of Robert has always been more fun than the production. Often injured and coming off back-to-back down seasons make acquiring him, and his $20 million price tag, a risk. On top of that, the White Sox’s asking price is apparently far too high.

Call me a sucker, but I would love to get Robert. I keep telling myself he would be a better player outside of that dumpster fire in Chicago. Right or wrong, I believe it. His contract would be $20 million for 2026 with a $20 million option for 2027. A perfect structure that allows an out if it goes south, or an affordable price tag if the talent shows up.

Add an Impact Bat

You could check this box by making one of the moves outlined above, but that is not the only route. The Reds have a spot in the outfield but should also have room to make a move at DH, first, or second. There’s a trickle-down effect and musical chairs component to all of this, but that discussion is for another day. Find the bat, figure out the rest.

Despite a worse-than-expected 2025 season, I still have faith in Elly De La Cruz. I have been high on Sal Stewart for some time, and he showed the potential to be a feared hitter. But, the Reds are still missing a player we know can alter the lineup and add run production.

You’ll hear me talk a lot about players that fit what the Reds are trying to do. I might not fully buy into it, but a high-contact hitter is a clear priority. Although, I don’t think they will make an entire lineup out of them. They need to mix in some power, and that’s where we could see an impact addition.

Potential Free Agent Targets: Brandon Lowe, Ryan O’Hearn, Kyle Schwarber

Brandon Lowe does have an $11.5 million club option, so it’s possible he falls into the trade, and not free agent, category. Either way, I love his fit in Cincinnati. He’s a lefty bat with a ton of power who could slot in at DH, first, and provide insurance to Matt McLain at second (more on that later).

Because he’s 31 and comes with platoon and defensive limitations, I think he would fall into the Reds $15-$17 million sweet spot. I’m not sure there’s a better power bat that is also a realistic possibility for the Reds.

Ryan O’Hearn is a similar discussion. Lefty bat that is a good defender at first and passable in a corner outfield. Hey, that’s just the reality of the world the Reds live in, like it or not. He’s not the power hitter you might think when you see his 6-foot-2, 200-pound frame, but he could get a bump from playing in Cincinnati.

Above average zone contact, average strikeout rate, and draws a lot of walks. At 32, I think the Reds could sign O’Hearn to a two or three-year deal around $13 million AAV and improve the lineup. Sign me up.

Lastly, Schwarber. Do I think it will happen? No, less than a 5% chance. But, we need to discuss the possibility. Schwarber will be 33 years old coming off a 56 home run season. He doesn’t defend well, strikes out a lot, but has mammoth power and draws walks with the best of them.

Considering he grew up in Ohio and has talked about playing for the Reds, an outside chance exists. Will the Reds pony up the money it would take? I will believe it when I see it. Would I be ecstatic to see it happen? Absolutely.

Beef Up the Bullpen

The potential of losing Emilio Pagán drastically changes the outlook of the bullpen. A workhorse that can close out games and pitch back-to-back games effectively is hard to find. Cincinnati has something in Tony Santillan, while Graham Ashcraft and Connor Phillips showed ability, but they need more.

Specifically, a lefty. Sam Moll should not be a preferred lefty in any bullpen. Without many names rising through the minors and ready to handle 50+ innings, the Reds need to make some moves.

Potential Free Agents: Hoby Milner (L), Mike Soroka, Phil Maton, Gregory Soto (L), Caleb Ferguson (L)

None of these names will make you jump for joy, but each offers something the Reds could use. Let’s start with the lefties. Milner has been an effective groundball machine with elite command and a four-pitch mix that simply works. Considering he’ll be 35, the term and dollar amount will fit.

Gregory Soto is the opposite. He lacks command, which can make him a scary watch, but when he’s on, he’s lights out. His fastball has lost some velocity, but he’s traded that for fewer walks and more usage of his sinker, which helps him keep the ball on the ground. A higher profile player that will cost more, but would add the lefty they need.

Ferguson is an Ohio kid who’s a perfectly fine pitcher that should not come with a big price tag.

Maton was born in Kentucky and has been one of those consistent arms that keeps bouncing around. He’s coming off one of his best years, if not his best, but a two-year deal for modest money is possible.

To round it out, Michael Soroka. Mike, just become a reliver, man. The numbers as a starter have not looked great, but in a more limited sample as a reliever, he’s posted a 2.58 ERA and 1.19 WHIP across 45.1 innings. He really leaned into his slurve this season, throwing it 30% more than the year prior and producing a 38% whiff rate. The type of diamond in the rough that could pay off.

Potential Trade Targets: Sam Hentges (L), Brock Burke (L), Aaron Bummer (L)

This list could be much longer, but I want to hyperfocus on a few lefty options. Hentges has been a productive arm for Cleveland that has dealt with injuries and has two years of control. I’m not sure if the Guardians will be willing to move him, but they have made a number of moves we didn’t expect.

Speaking of making moves people don’t expect, let’s turn our attention to the Angels, who have Brock Burke in the bullpen. A groundball machine that induces soft contact and should not cost much to acquire. Not the highest profile, but a Reds type.

Aaron Bummer has been a name that Reds fans have wanted in the past. He’s due $9.5 million in the final year of his contract, and the Braves have a number of younger, cheaper, and productive lefties in the bullpen. Feels a bit like the Taylor Rogers situation from last season. A veteran with a great track record and high groundball rate. Bummer would be my number one target from this group.

Find Insurance for Matt McLain

I’m not saying Matt McLain can’t rebound, but going into the season counting on him to do so is irresponsible. In 147 games last season, McLain slashed .200/.300/.343 with a 77 wRC+. I love his defense, speed, and raw talent, but there are enough concerns to make me want an insurance policy.

Adding Brandon Lowe makes sense for this scenario. He can be the platoon with McLain at second. Let’s say McLain rebounds, great, put Lowe at DH or first, wherever Sal Stewart isn’t.

We have all heard of Edwin Arroyo coming up as a prospect, but he has not shown nearly enough to be the first backup plan to McLain. Personally, I wouldn’t mind McLain playing a utility role, but we have not had any indication that this is a plan that is in the works.

Potential Free Agents: Brandon Lowe, Luis Rengifo, Willi Castro

I know, I know, Luis Rengifo was worse than McLain last season. However, the prior three seasons were above average, and I’d roll the dice on a rebound for this particular role. Rengifo is a true utility man who plays all over the field, is a switch-hitter, and makes a ton of contact.

He could essentially replace Santiago Espinal’s role, and I have confidence that he would perform better. Don’t read too much into his numbers this season. Contact-oriented players often have swings year to year as their lack of power places heavier emphasis on average. Use TJ Friedl as an example. The expected stats will sway from the raw stats frequently.

For the same role, you could go with Willi Castro. Another super utility switch-hitter that had a better season but has not had the same highs as Rengifo. All things considered, I’d rather go with Rengifo and use the savings elsewhere.

Potential Trade Targets: Nico Hoerner, Bryson Stott, Mauricio Dubón

Let me be clear, I do not think either Hoerner or Stott is moved, but if they are, the Reds might be interested. Both are great defenders that make a ton of contact and fit what Terry Francona has shown, through action, that he wants.

I wouldn’t be surprised if Hoerner is Francona’s favorite player outside of Kwan. A 95% zone contact rate and 15 OAA at second probably has Tito buzzing. Stott clocks in at an 87% zone contact rate and 8 OAA, but comes at a cheaper price tag.

Both the Cubs and Phillies could go down a route of expensive offseasons. For them, moving either of these players opens avenues to get truly impact players. For the Reds, you could improve while also having another potential shortstop answer if they do decide to move Elly to a new position.

Want a cheaper option? Dubón is one of the better defenders, plays all over, hits lefties well, but doesn’t quite have the upside of the others. Perhaps the more likely move, and one I’d still be happy with, to be honest.

Final Thoughts

The Reds are going to have to make some trades. We have learned enough about several players over the past three seasons to know they are not rising to a new level. There’s a new coaching staff in place, and I’m sure they want, or don’t want, certain players.

I know we talk ourselves into it each year, but I do think the Reds are closer to being a more legitimate contender than we have seen in recent years. If ownership does not open their wallets for free agents, then Nick Krall and company will have to get creative.

The farm system has some talent, but few players I’d be willing to count on for 2026 to raise the ceiling. As I outlined above, there are ways to improve this team even if you operate in a manner that you have in the past. Is it a bulletproof path to 95 wins? No, but when you are handcuffed, you have to make do with what you have at your disposal.