While the Cincinnati Reds’ roster isn’t a who’s who of today’s top baseball power hitters, the transitions made in 2025 highlight some interesting aspects of their lineup, particularly involving players they have since let go.
Miguel Andujar emerged as the Reds’ key offensive acquisition at the trade deadline, arriving from the now-defunct Oakland A’s, where he had shown a knack for hitting left-handed pitchers well.
It’s important to note that the Reds also sought Garrett Hampson’s talent back in late May. While it might have slipped your mind, the Reds gave Hampson a couple of starts in left field and he, too, is a right-handed hitter. This move followed their trade that sent Andrew Moore to the San Diego Padres in exchange for Connor Joe, another right-handed hitter known for his ability against lefties, enhancing their corner outfield and infield options.
Interestingly, infielder Santiago Espinal also made four starts in left field during 2025. A utility player who hits right-handed, Espinal’s stint marked just the sixth time in his career that he started in left, with two of those occasions occurring when he played for the Reds the previous year.
Such adjustments were necessary as Austin Hays faced recurring injury issues throughout the 2025 season, which was otherwise when he was expected to solidify the Reds’ lineup as a right-handed hitting corner outfielder. Hays, Joe, Hampson, and Andujar all joined the team during 2025, and they are now all free agents, highlighting a notable shift in the Reds’ lineup dynamics.
The departures of these players aren’t directly mirrored in the offseason however, as the emergence of Sal Stewart could help replicate what Andujar contributed, if not exceed it. Alongside this, Ke’Bryan Hayes was added, whose performance is slightly inconsistent, but he is durable enough to play daily and performs adequately against lefties. Meanwhile, Noelvi Marte has transitioned to a full-time position in right field as a result of these changes, suggesting the Reds are attempting to bolster their batting lineup.
Currently, the Reds’ outfield is likely to feature one right-handed and two left-handed hitters, similar to the previous season, although some new faces will be included. The infield also shows promise with several right-handed hitters and valuable depth options emerging. Nevertheless, there’s ongoing speculation about whether adding Bleday, who joined just recently, will sufficiently enhance their lineup against right-handed pitchers, especially given their lackluster performance in 2025. Addressing the need for a left-handed hitter before Opening Day could be vital, especially considering Gavin Lux’s acquisition now seems increasingly critical.
