After Acquiring Pitching, Could Nick Krall Target an Outfielder in Free Agency?
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The number one priority for the Cincinnati Reds going into the offseason was to beef up their pitching staff. With recent additions Emilio Pagan and Nick Martinez now official, general manager Nick Krall may be turning his head to another position of need: Outfield.
Outfield is a position the Reds are expected to address, especially when it comes to a right handed bat. After non-tendering Nick Senzel last month, the Reds are left with four right handed outfielders on the active roster: Stuart Fairchild, Rece Hinds, TJ Hopkins, and Bubba Thompson.
With left handed bats like TJ Friedl, Will Benson, and Jake Fraley appearing as locks to make the Opening Day roster, the need for a righty becomes even more evident.
The Reds addressed the position in multiple ways last year, most notably with Spencer Steer spending significant time in left field. Steer is expected to continue that with the logjam of youngsters on the Reds infield.
Steer played a total of 45 games in the outfield in 2023, something he volunteered to do after the surge of young talent became big league ready. In those 45 games, Steer hit .255 with 7 home runs and 22 RBI.
Defensively, Steer has been flawless in those 45 games, with zero errors.
They also acquired Harrison Bader and Hunter Renfroe late in the season looking to provide a jolt, but that produced minimal results. Among the other right handers to play the outfield for the Reds last season: Jose Barrero, Michael Siani, and Christian Encarnacion-Strand.
Not to mention past attempts like Wil Myers and Tommy Pham, the Reds have just struggled to find someone that can stick.
Clearly there’s a need for an upgrade when it comes to right handed bats in the Reds outfield. Some have wondered about Jonathan India transitioning to the outfield if he's not traded, but that seems unlikely.
There are some interesting names available in free agency, including Teoscar Hernandez (Mariners), Adam Duvall (Red Sox), and Lourdes Gurriel Jr (Diamondbacks).
According to Spotrac, the market value for Hernandez and Gurriel Jr is in the $14-15 million range, while Duvall is $5 million.
Don’t be shocked if the Reds next move involves an outfielder.
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