The Cincinnati Reds made waves recently by trading Gavin Lux in a move aimed squarely at bolstering their bullpen. But with the New York Mets swinging a blockbuster deal for Bo Bichette, a new opportunity has emerged for Cincinnati - one that could finally address their most pressing offseason need: adding some serious thump to the lineup.
Let’s start with the Mets. Their aggressive winter continued with a reported three-year, $126 million pact with Bichette, who joins a crowded New York infield that already includes Jorge Polanco, Marcus Semien, and, of course, Francisco Lindor holding down shortstop. With that kind of depth, Bichette is expected to slide over to third base - a move that could push either Mark Vientos or Brett Baty to the trade block.
That’s where the Reds come in.
Cincinnati just cleared a bit of roster space and payroll flexibility by sending Lux to Tampa Bay, and now they’re in a prime position to make a play for one of the Mets’ young corner infielders. Both Vientos and Baty fit the Reds’ profile to a tee: young, pre-arbitration bats with legitimate power upside.
Vientos showed off his muscle in 2025, launching 17 home runs and ranking in the 89th percentile in hard-hit rate - a stat that speaks to how consistently he barrels the ball. Baty wasn’t far behind, clubbing 18 homers and finishing the season with a career-best 111 OPS+, a solid mark that suggests he’s starting to figure things out at the plate.
Neither player is a finished product, but that’s part of the appeal for Cincinnati. They’re not looking for a polished veteran; they’re looking for controllable upside. And both Vientos and Baty offer just that.
Now, what would it take to get a deal done?
The Mets are likely to be asking for pitching in return - and that’s one area where the Reds are well-stocked. While Cincinnati has been cautious about dealing from its young rotation, it may be the only path to upgrading the offense in a meaningful way. The top trio of Hunter Greene, Andrew Abbott, and Nick Lodolo is reportedly off the table, but there’s been chatter around Brady Singer, and arms like Brandon Williamson, Rhett Lowder, or Chase Petty could also be in play.
It’s a classic surplus-for-surplus scenario: New York has infielders to spare, and Cincinnati has arms. The fit is there.
And don’t forget, the Reds just trimmed about $3 million from the payroll with the Lux deal, which gives them some room to maneuver - whether that’s in trade talks or a dip into free agency. But right now, the Mets’ infield logjam is the most intriguing path forward.
If the Reds are serious about contending in 2026, finding a way to add another power bat to the lineup is essential. And with the Mets reshuffling their roster to make room for Bichette, the door is wide open. It’s up to Cincinnati to walk through it.