Could the Cincinnati Reds still have a left-handed surprise up their sleeve? It’s a question that’s been quietly simmering among fans and analysts alike, especially as we dissect the team’s recent roster moves and their impact on the lineup’s balance. While the Reds’ 2025 season wasn’t exactly a showcase of modern baseball’s most feared sluggers, there’s a fascinating pattern in the hitters they acquired—and later let go—that’s impossible to ignore. But here’s where it gets controversial: was their strategy deliberate, or just a series of calculated risks that didn’t quite pay off?
Take Miguel Andujar, for instance, their headline trade deadline acquisition. A right-handed hitter with a reputation for mashing lefties, he arrived from the Oakland A’s (yes, that’s still their former name) just after July 31st. But Andujar wasn’t the only right-handed addition. Garrett Hampson, brought in back in May, got a brief stint in left field—a move so early in the season that it’s easy to forget. Then there was Connor Joe, acquired from the Padres in exchange for Andrew Moore, another righty who excels against left-handed pitching. And let’s not overlook Santiago Espinal, a utility infielder who somehow started four games in left field in 2025—one of just six times in his career he’s done so, with two of those coming in 2024 with the Reds. Talk about versatility, right?
These moves weren’t just random; they were part of a larger effort to bolster the corner outfield and infield positions. Austin Hays, another right-handed corner outfielder, was signed to be a lineup staple but battled injuries in 2025. Despite the setbacks, he was exactly what the Reds needed—a righty who could hit in the middle of the order. Hays, Joe, Hampson, and Andujar all joined the Reds in 2025, and all are now free agents. Add Espinal, who became a free agent after joining in 2024, and you’ve got a clear pattern: right-handed hitters everywhere.
But here’s the twist: the Reds didn’t just let these players walk without a plan. Sal Stewart emerged as a near-perfect replacement for Andujar, and Ke’Bryan Hayes was added to the mix, despite his imperfect bat. Noelvi Marte was shifted to right field full-time, creating a core of righties to fill those roles. It’s evident the Reds recognized their need for right-handed power—even if their execution wasn’t always flawless.
Fast forward to now, and the Reds’ outfield is shaping up to feature one righty and two lefties most days. Last year, it was Hays, TJ Friedl, and Jake Fraley/Will Benson. This year, JJ Bleday, Friedl, and Marte are expected to take the field, with Dane Myers (another righty) in the mix. The infield—Hayes, Elly De La Cruz (a switch-hitter), Matt McLain, and Spencer Steer—can all hit righty, with Stewart providing additional depth. Even the catchers, Tyler Stephenson and Jose Trevino, are righties, as are Christian Encarnacion-Strand and Rece Hinds, who serve as corner infield and outfield depth.
And this is the part most people miss: the Reds’ 2025 lineup struggled mightily against right-handed pitching, posting a lackluster 97 wRC+ that tied them for 21st in the league. Bleday, acquired just last week, managed only a 76 wRC+ against RHP in Sacramento—hardly inspiring confidence. This makes the Reds’ earlier pursuit of Kyle Schwarber feel like a missed opportunity. But the bigger question remains: will they invest in a left-handed hitter before Opening Day?
If they don’t, the pressure on Gavin Lux—acquired before 2025 in a move that felt redundant at the time—will be immense. Don’t expect them to chase big names like Kyle Tucker or Cody Bellinger, but Luis Arraez could be a fit, given his contact skills and lack of power. Where he’d slot into the lineup, though, is anyone’s guess. Bleday and Benson have strong cases for starting roles, but the roster spot remains undecided.
So, what do you think? Is the Reds’ focus on right-handed hitters a smart strategy, or a glaring oversight? Should they prioritize a lefty before the season starts, or double down on their current approach? Let us know in the comments—this debate is far from over.
