JUST IN: Cincinnati Reds Outfield Upgrade Certainly Available With Oakland Athletics “Terribly Low Cost Contract That The Reds Would Presumably Eat”

The Cincinnati Reds could benefit from upgrading their outfield or finding a stronger platoon partner to pair with Jake Fraley or Will Benson. Currently, Fraley and Benson are expected to face right-handed pitchers in one of the corner outfield positions, while Santiago Espinal and Stuart Fairchild are set to take on left-handers.

However, three of these four players posted an on-base percentage (OBP) below .300 last season, with Fraley’s .330 being the only exception. If the Reds aim to stick with a platoon approach, minor improvements seem necessary.

The Oakland Athletics might provide a solution, as they have two outfielders—Miguel Andújar and Seth Brown—currently slotted to play left field in Triple-A West Sacramento. Andújar, in his final year of team control, is projected to earn $2.8 million via arbitration, while Brown, under team control through 2026, has a $2.7 million contract for 2025. Both players are affordable options for the Reds.

 

 

Brown’s power potential could be appealing, particularly in hitter-friendly Cincinnati compared to Oakland’s pitcher-friendly Coliseum. However, Andújar might be the better fit for the Reds. Entering his age-30 season, Andújar hit .285 with a .320 OBP and four home runs over 75 games in 2024, earning a 103 wRC+. Additionally, he showcased an excellent arm in left field.

Offensively, Andújar could be an upgrade against left-handed pitching compared to Espinal or Fairchild. He excelled against southpaws last season, hitting .411 (23-for-56) with a 192 wRC+. For context, the Reds’ best hitter against left-handers, Jonathan India, posted a 126 wRC+.

While Andújar wouldn’t represent a dramatic upgrade, he offers potential and wouldn’t cost the Reds much, given his modest salary. From the Athletics’ perspective, trading Andújar or Brown would clear a roster spot for Esteury Ruiz, who showed promise before his 2024 season was cut short by injury. It would also prepare Oakland for the arrival of prospects Denzel Clarke or Colby Thomas later in the year.

Additionally, the move could help the A’s manage their payroll. To avoid an MLBPA grievance, the A’s need to reach a $105 million payroll but are currently around $90 million. Trading Andújar could free up nearly $3 million, which might allow the A’s to pursue Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Jordan Montgomery, who carries a $22.5 million salary for 2025. If Oakland adds Montgomery and Arizona absorbs a portion of his salary, both teams could strike a mutually beneficial deal.

While the A’s don’t need to trade Andújar or Brown this offseason, doing so could streamline their roster and make room for an impactful addition like Montgomery. For the Reds, acquiring Andújar could address their outfield needs at a low cost, making this a potential win-win scenario for both clubs.