Top Lefty Bats That Would Be Great Additions for the Reds

The rumors are already swirling around the Cincinnati Reds. Hunter Greene and Brady Singer have seen their names floated in rumors while the Reds’ projected budget seems to be shrinking. A winter tradition that has become as standard as Christmas in Cincinnati.

As much as I would love for the Reds to sign your or my favorite free agent this winter, it’s hard to imagine they will. I don’t say that to be a downer, but a realist. We have heard a few different figures for how much the front office has to work with, but roughly $20 million is the number that keeps popping up.

If that proves to be true, the Reds will need to get creative. Clearing some money to create a bigger budget isn’t impossible. Gavin Lux (projected $4.5 m) and Brady Singer (projected $13 m) are the two names that could be moved in order to make more substantial room in the budget.

Whatever they decided to do, is $20-$40 million enough to fill the amount of holes they have? Time will tell.

Today, I am going to focus on one need in particular: a lefty bat. Cincinnati’s lineup is full of righties, a switch-hitting Elly De La Cruz, and a lefty TJ Friedl. There needs to be more balance and more impact, and landing a lefty bat can help both areas.

Free Agent Options

In my opinion, the Reds could add a lefty at essentially any position.

Outfield is a strong need, first base is not set in stone, second base worries me, and DH could be an answer to many problems. Considering the financial restraints, the Reds are looking in the used-car section with about 50,000 miles — a good car, but not one that will wow your neighbors.

Ryan O’Hearn

Atop my personal, realistic list is 32-year-old Ryan O’Hearn. Over the past three seasons, O’Hearn turned himself from a AAAA player who struck out too much to a well-rounded batter who draws walks, makes above-average contact, and still has enough power to be a threat in the box.

Due to his age and platoon limitations, O’Hearn’s contract will fall on the shorter side, 1-3 years and likely between $10-$15 million per season. He’s coming off his best season, slashing .281/.366/.437 with 17 home runs and a 127 wRC+. That’s production the Reds could absolutely use near the middle of the lineup to offset righty bats.

Cincinnati could slot O’Hearn in at first and get above-average defense while platooning him with Spencer Steer, who I think might have more of a utility role in 2026. You could also put O’Hearn in the outfield where he’s not a great defender, but the added versatility doesn’t hurt his case.

Luis Arráez

Arráez is one of the more complicated players to value. A horrible defender who doesn’t draw walks or offer any power, he also makes contact better than anyone else in the league. Many will have zero interest while more old school baseball fans will be clamoring for a career .317 average.

While I would not prefer Arráez, I do think the criticism in the public eye has gone too far.

Terry Francona and the Reds have told us, through words and action, that they want players who put the ball in play more than they want boom-or-bust power hitters. He’s still one of the best in that regard. Again, not the exact route I would take, but Arráez could be a fit.

Four straight seasons playing 140+ games, posting over a 100 wRC+, and striking out less than 10% of the time brings some type of value. The cost and term should not be too high due to his defensive limitations, and his high-contact approach would help Francona near the top of the lineup.

Lux logged innings in the outfield and third base, but let’s be real — he’s not good enough defensively to play either and really brought his most value as a platoon DH with no power. Well, Arráez is a clear upgrade in that role, even if the role doesn’t offer enough value.

Mike Yastrzemski

Here’s your one-year deal the Reds always make that really doesn’t excite or disappoint you; the Austin Hays/Wil Myers kind of move, if you will. He’s a veteran, platoon corner outfielder with modest power and a high floor. A similar enough level of player that the Reds already have a number of, so why not add one more.

If the Reds sign 35 year-old Mike Yastrzemski, they better have another addition to offset the platoon. I’d rather have a more impactful outfielder and move away from rostering a bunch of fourth outfielders with platoon situations, but I’m not sure how realistic that is.

Signing Yastrzemski would be fine if the move is the fourth or fifth-most impactful move of the offseason. He’s one of those players you watch and are rarely upset with. He’s a solid baseball player with a good career, but I don’t think he changes the trajectory of the team enough.

Cedric Mullins

Cedric Mullins’ name carries slightly more value than his play. He does offer a more complete set of tools than names mentioned above — speed, plus defender in center, some power potential — but his 2025 was pretty brutal, slashing .216/.299/.391 with a 94 wRC+.

However, if he is willing to take a one-year deal (potentially with an option year) in hopes of bouncing back to hitting the market next season, it could make sense. There would be some redundancy with him and Friedl, which could complicate the fit.

Like Friedl, Mullins has started to pull the ball in the air more and more over the past few seasons which would play nicely in Great American Ball Park. Although I think his ceiling is relatively limited at this point in his career, he still has 20/20 potential.

Trade Options

The Reds attacked roster building last winter via trade more than via free agency, and the same could be true this year. If swapping big leaguers with similar salaries is they route they choose, than a few options do exist.

The Tampa Bay Rays are apparently interested in short-term rotation help. The Reds happen to have Singer in the final year of team control. The Rays also have a player in the final year of a contract who makes similar money in Brandon Lowe.

While I’d rather keep Singer and use other players, or free agency, to address needs, I have to be realistic about the possibility he’s moved. If Lowe can come back in a move, I’d be happy.

Brandon Lowe

Lowe, 31, is in the final year of a contract that will pay him $11.5 million in 2026, money the Reds can essentially swap for Singer. He’s a platoon lefty with a ton of juice that would be a great fit in the middle of the lineup. He’d bring the type of power potential the Reds need at a price they could actually afford.

Although Lowe has mostly been a DH and second baseman, he could play first if need be. He’s played some corner outfield but I’d stay away from putting him on the grass. Let’s say Matt McLain bounces back — Great! Lowe then slides to DH and Sal Stewart goes to first. What if Sal struggles? Lowe and Steer can then fill in. It feels like a reasonable solution to the puzzle.

The Reds’ scenario is unique in that second base, first base, and DH all have players with talent but unproven track records. Any combination of success or failure could still allow for at-bats to go to Lowe without having to get too creative. Maybe this makes Steer a potential trade candidate.

Jake McCarthy

Lowe and Jake McCarthy are very different players that offer much different ceilings.

While Lowe is an answer to providing more impact, McCarthy would be an answer to the bench/depth question. I doubt that Will Benson will be in the same role on this team next year, and McCarthy could be acquired for relatively cheap.

A lefty bat that can play all three outfield spots, defend well, makes well-above-average contact, and increases the team speed, that sounds nice. He’s a situational player that could be a defensive replacement, pinch runner, or used when Francona wants a bunt or ball in play.

Again, it’s not a headline move, but it’s one I think could be possible.

McCarthy is out of options, which does make roster construction a bit tricky. However, if the cost to acquire isn’t very steep, they can roll the dice and see if you get the kind of McCarthy that posted a 110 wRC+ with 25 bags in 2024. It’d be a depth building move that I think Francona and company would like.

Final Thoughts

Unless the Reds suddenly decide to move their top prospects, I think the type of move that would make you immediately buy a jersey will not happen. I hope I’m wrong, but we don’t have enough prior evidence to predict such a move will happen.

Finding impact through mid-tier signings or trades can be risky. There’s a reason these players fall into those tiers. If the Reds land O’Hearn or Lowe, I’d be excited. Any other name on this list? I’d be content, but the Reds would need to follow the move up with more elsewhere.

Cincinnati is a seesaw team. If all goes right, they are back in the playoffs likely with a number of young, core pieces producing. But if a few things go wrong, no one is surprised if they are at 76 wins next season.

Finding pieces that help add weight to the right side of the seesaw is crucial this winter.