CINCINNATI -- As the Reds continue to work the free-agent and trade markets to upgrade their offense, it's unclear how potential moves would affect their outfield setup. At the moment, Cincinnati appears to have two set everyday players in center fielder TJ Friedl and Noelvi Marte in right field. Then a whole bunch of questions follow, especially left field. "We've been pretty clear we want Marte to play," manager Terry Francona said during the Winter Meetings. "We all think he's going to be a pretty good right fielder. TJ is fine in center. And then what we do in left [field], I think, is kind of to be determined. … We just need to see how things play out." Left field |
The Reds’ best place to fill their biggest need -- an impact bat to slot behind Elly De La Cruz -- is likely here. Corner outfielders on the free-agent market include Cody Bellinger and Ryan O'Hearn, although O'Hearn played more at first base last season. A former National League MVP, Bellinger would seem more of a long shot to land in Cincinnati. Trade Deadline acquisition Miguel Andujar, who finished the season with the Reds while burnishing his reputation for beating up left-handed pitchers, also remains on the market. The spot could also be filled by an internal option. It’s still not known where Spencer Steer could play. Steer, who bounced back from a rough first month and finished second on the club with 21 home runs, played mostly first base last season but was mostly a left fielder in 2024. A right shoulder injury prevented him from playing the outfield for much of '25. Steer could wind up back at first base, move to left field or play any number of positions depending on the need. "One, [Steer] likes to do that. Two, it would be dependent on the makeup of our team," Francona said. "If he is moving around and still getting 550 at-bats, we're OK. I hate to even use a word like 'utility' with him, but if you're moving him around but you're getting everyday production, that's really helpful." Lefty-hitting Gavin Lux isn't a plus defender, but he has experience playing left field. Another lefty hitter, Will Benson, has proven streaky and spent multiple stints in Triple-A Louisville last season after spending all of 2024 in the big leagues. Center field |
How often Friedl plays center field is also a question. He played a career-high 152 games last season, with 148 starts in center. He batted .261/.364/.378 with 14 homers and set a career-high in hits (151) and runs (82). Francona indicated he'd like to have more depth behind Friedl to lessen his wear and tear. One option could be right-handed-hitting Blake Dunn, who struggled offensively over his 49 big league games in 2024-25. Dunn opened 2025 in the big leagues, but he was sent to Louisville in May. His numbers initially remained low, but things began to click in June. Dunn batted .291 with a .798 OPS in 98 games for the Bats. “He really got better," president of baseball operations Nick Krall said. "He took steps forward. He’s got speed. He can play defense in the outfield. There’s a lot of room to run with Blake. It’s just making sure he continues to grow and continues to get better.” Right field |
Marte, who appeared twice in center field in late August, was instructed to get reps there during winter ball, if only to learn reads of balls off the bat. But his mastery of right field remains the primary objective. The club liked how instinctual Marte was when playing the outfield and noticed it freed him up offensively as well. In 90 MLB games last season after opening with Louisville, Marte batted .263 with a .748 OPS and 14 homers. With more experience, he could come into his own as a hitter and defender in 2026. "Let’s get him to be an outfielder where it’s not just throw him in the fire and see what he can do," Krall said. "He’s a high-end runner. I think it’s just trying to get him to be a good outfielder. If he can learn the jumps, the reads and the routes, the speed says he can play center. It’s just learning to be an outfielder.” |
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FOUR ELECTED TO REDS HALL OF FAME |
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The Reds Hall of Fame expanded by four on Tuesday, when second baseman great Brandon Phillips, starting pitcher Aaron Harang, outfielder Reggie Sanders and former manager Lou Piniella were elected. Phillips and Harang received the most votes on the modern player ballot, which featured eight nominees. The fan votes on the ballot were combined with those from selected media members and Reds alumni to determine the modern player inductees. Sanders and Piniella were chosen by the Reds Hall of Fame’s Veterans Committee, which considers candidates whose playing careers ended more than 15 years ago, along with managers and executives. The four inductees will be honored April 24-26 at Great American Ball Park. |
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• The Reds added a left-handed reliever to their bullpen. Read more >>
• Who will the Reds’ No. 1 prospect be in one year? Read more >>
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