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While a couple of the Cincinnati Reds’ bigger signings during the offseason haven’t totally panned out, the team made what has turned out to be a few of the more impressive under-the-radar moves around baseball this year.
Two-thirds of their starting outfield was acquired in transactions that didn’t generate many headlines.
At the end of last season, the Athletics designated for assignment JJ Bleday. The former top prospect and first-round pick was coming off a poor season that included some time in Triple-A, and the Athletics determined that he needed a change of scenery. Bleday got to hit free agency for the first time in his career, and he signed with the Reds for $1.4 million. He has turned out to be one of the most productive offensive free agent signings for any team in baseball this season.
“I got to pick the team myself in the offseason and see what would be the best fit for me and for my family,” Bleday said. “That’s a big reason. I didn’t start in the big leagues in the beginning of the year, but I knew I’d have some opportunity if I kept my head down and put my work in.”
After opening the season in Triple-A, Bleday was called up in late April and quickly hit his way into the top-half of the Reds’ lineup.
Last week, there was ample interest in Bleday at the trade deadline.
“He was a very popular ask on the trade market,” president of baseball operations Nick Krall said. “We’ve got him for several years more of control. We’re really excited to have him.”
Keeping Bleday reinforced how much the team values what he brings to the table.
In late December, on the same day that the Reds signed Bleday, they traded an unheralded minor league outfielder to the Miami Marlins for Dane Myers.
The Reds dealt Ethan O’Donnell, who has struggled in Triple-A this year. Myers has become the Reds’ best option in center field in 2026.
It’s all come together this year for Myers, who’s in his fourth year in the big leagues.
“It’s a mentality of not pressing,” Myers said. “Trusting that the process will work out over an extended amount of at-bats. I’m trusting in my approach and taking the same approach every day. I’m trusting it in the long run.”
He’s known for his ability to make incredible, crashing plays against the wall. For a Reds’ team trying to build an identity with pitching and defense, Myers’ defense has made a huge difference.
He has also been one of the Reds’ best situational hitters.
“It’s being on time and being ready to hit,” Myers said. “I’m honing in on my zone and swinging at good pitches. The more I do that, the more success I have.”
While first baseman Nathaniel Lowe was traded at the deadline and isn’t in the organization any longer, he’s another example of an impact move for the Reds in the offseason. He went from a minor league free agent to one of the big league team’s most consistent hitters in 2026. At the deadline, the Reds dealt him to Cleveland for minor league pitcher Alejando Rivera. Trading Lowe opened up a spot on the big league roster for prospect Héctor Rodríguez.
The Reds’ offseason hasn’t completely clicked. Eugenio Suárez has had the worst season of his career, and free agent relief pitcher signings Emilio Pagán, Pierce Johnson and Caleb Ferguson (traded at the deadline to the Cardinals) have either dealt with injuries or inconsistency.
But for a Reds’ team that has kept things interesting and stayed alive in the playoff race, a couple of their under-the-radar moves from the winter have really made an impact.
Continue reading...
Two-thirds of their starting outfield was acquired in transactions that didn’t generate many headlines.
At the end of last season, the Athletics designated for assignment JJ Bleday. The former top prospect and first-round pick was coming off a poor season that included some time in Triple-A, and the Athletics determined that he needed a change of scenery. Bleday got to hit free agency for the first time in his career, and he signed with the Reds for $1.4 million. He has turned out to be one of the most productive offensive free agent signings for any team in baseball this season.
“I got to pick the team myself in the offseason and see what would be the best fit for me and for my family,” Bleday said. “That’s a big reason. I didn’t start in the big leagues in the beginning of the year, but I knew I’d have some opportunity if I kept my head down and put my work in.”
After opening the season in Triple-A, Bleday was called up in late April and quickly hit his way into the top-half of the Reds’ lineup.
Last week, there was ample interest in Bleday at the trade deadline.
“He was a very popular ask on the trade market,” president of baseball operations Nick Krall said. “We’ve got him for several years more of control. We’re really excited to have him.”
Keeping Bleday reinforced how much the team values what he brings to the table.
In late December, on the same day that the Reds signed Bleday, they traded an unheralded minor league outfielder to the Miami Marlins for Dane Myers.
The Reds dealt Ethan O’Donnell, who has struggled in Triple-A this year. Myers has become the Reds’ best option in center field in 2026.
It’s all come together this year for Myers, who’s in his fourth year in the big leagues.
“It’s a mentality of not pressing,” Myers said. “Trusting that the process will work out over an extended amount of at-bats. I’m trusting in my approach and taking the same approach every day. I’m trusting it in the long run.”
He’s known for his ability to make incredible, crashing plays against the wall. For a Reds’ team trying to build an identity with pitching and defense, Myers’ defense has made a huge difference.
He has also been one of the Reds’ best situational hitters.
“It’s being on time and being ready to hit,” Myers said. “I’m honing in on my zone and swinging at good pitches. The more I do that, the more success I have.”
While first baseman Nathaniel Lowe was traded at the deadline and isn’t in the organization any longer, he’s another example of an impact move for the Reds in the offseason. He went from a minor league free agent to one of the big league team’s most consistent hitters in 2026. At the deadline, the Reds dealt him to Cleveland for minor league pitcher Alejando Rivera. Trading Lowe opened up a spot on the big league roster for prospect Héctor Rodríguez.
The Reds’ offseason hasn’t completely clicked. Eugenio Suárez has had the worst season of his career, and free agent relief pitcher signings Emilio Pagán, Pierce Johnson and Caleb Ferguson (traded at the deadline to the Cardinals) have either dealt with injuries or inconsistency.
But for a Reds’ team that has kept things interesting and stayed alive in the playoff race, a couple of their under-the-radar moves from the winter have really made an impact.
Continue reading...
