The Cincinnati Reds added two outfielders in one day through signings and trades.

The Reds confirmed today that they have reached a one-year, $1.4 million deal with former Athletics outfielder JJ Bleday, a move intended to enhance their outfield options.

At 28 years old, Bleday bats left-handed and can cover all three outfield spots. Similar to last offseason’s signing of free agent outfielder Austin Hays, the Reds hope Bleday will have a rebound season. Hays was hampered last year by three stints on the injured list, and the Reds are hoping for a more positive outcome this time.

In 2025, Bleday appeared in 98 games for the Athletics, posting a .212 batting average with a .698 OPS, hitting 14 home runs and driving in 39 runs. He was also optioned to Triple-A twice during the season. These 2025 numbers were significantly lower than his best year in 2024, when he played 159 games, batted .243 with a .761 OPS, and set career highs with 20 home runs and 60 RBIs.

Bleday’s defense also declined, registering negative Outs Above Average (OAA) at all three outfield positions, most notably in center field (-5 OAA). The Athletics designated him for assignment on November 18 and chose not to renew his contract on November 21, making Bleday a free agent for the first time in his career.

Bleday was selected fourth overall in the first round of the 2019 draft by the Miami Marlins out of Vanderbilt University and made his MLB debut with the Marlins in 2022. He was once ranked among the top 100 prospects by MLB Pipeline. However, after hitting just .167 with a .586 OPS in 238 plate appearances, he was traded to the Athletics before the 2023 season in exchange for fellow former first-round pick left-hander A.J. Puk. Bleday posted similar stats in 2023 (.195 average, .666 OPS) but made significant progress in 2024, leading the Athletics with 43 doubles and outperforming most regular center fielders offensively.

Although Bleday struggled in 2025, some positives remain, especially his plate discipline. Over his first four professional seasons, his walk rate consistently exceeded 10%, and his 24.9% chase rate on pitches outside the strike zone was better than the league average. While his defensive range in the outfield was poor in 2025, Bleday possesses a strong throwing arm, with average arm strength rated better than 81% of players in the league.

The Reds have been looking to add more offensive firepower behind Elly De La Cruz in center field this offseason. They pursued superstar free agent Kyle Schwarber but were unable to bring the designated hitter back to his hometown team.

Although they missed out on Schwarber, Cincinnati strengthened their bullpen by re-signing closer Emilio Pagán to a two-year, $20 million deal, signing left-handed reliever Caleb Ferguson for one year at $4.5 million, and adding right-handed reliever Keegan Thompson on a one-year, $1.3 million contract. Thompson was designated for assignment to clear a roster spot for Bleday.

The Reds’ team payroll for 2026 is expected to be roughly the same as their opening day budget of about $112 million in 2025. It remains unclear whether there is additional budget space available for further offensive reinforcements.

In today’s second outfielder acquisition, the Reds traded for Dane Myers from the Marlins, sending minor league outfielder Ethan O'Donnell in return. To make room on the 40-man roster for Myers, right-handed reliever Lyon Richardson was designated for assignment.

The 29-year-old Myers played 106 games for the Marlins last season, hitting .235 with a .617 OPS, six home runs, and 31 RBIs. A right-handed batter, he can defend all three outfield positions and posted a +2 Outs Above Average (OAA). Myers primarily played center field (68 games) last season but also spent time in right (31 games) and left field (11 games). His arm strength, as measured by Statcast, ranks better than 97% of players in the league. Over the past three seasons, Myers has appeared in 172 MLB games for the Marlins, compiling a career batting average of .245 and an OPS of .653. He is currently pre-arbitration and under team control through the 2029 season.

Although Myers is known for his all-out effort on defense, he has a history of injuries. In 2025, he was placed on the injured list twice, including a right knee tear in September after crashing into a wall in Philadelphia. Earlier, on July 13, 2024, while the Marlins played in Cincinnati, Myers fractured his left ankle after kicking a door in frustration following a strikeout and ejection.

Myers was originally claimed off waivers by the Marlins from the Detroit Tigers on December 7, 2022. He was a two-way player in college and was drafted in the sixth round of the 2017 draft by the Tigers out of Rice University. Before the 2021 season, he transitioned to being a full-time outfielder.

The traded O'Donnell was ranked 18th among Reds prospects by MLB Pipeline. In 2025, he spent the season at Double-A Chattanooga, playing 125 games and posting a slash line of .236/.327/.325.