The Reds have plenty to sort through after a 75-87 season, and the first real shopping list may come from the clubs that just saw their year end in disappointment. With the Phillies, Cubs, Red Sox and Astros all out of the postseason picture, Cincinnati has a chance to hunt for help from teams that could be open to retooling.
One name that fits the Reds’ needs on the infield is Matt Shaw. The Cubs’ decision to bring in Alex Bregman on a six-year deal last offseason made Shaw look expendable, but he forced his way into a bigger role anyway.
Chicago used him all over the field except catcher and shortstop, and he finished 2026 with a .237/.327/.410 line and a 104 wRC+. At 24, he’s still a long way from arbitration, and his profile makes sense for Cincinnati: a disciplined hitter, real speed, and enough glove to handle third base as an affordable partner or alternative to Ke’Bryan Hayes.
Boston’s Jarren Duran is another fit worth watching, even if the market looks very different now than it did a year ago. Duran was on Reds fans’ radar last offseason, and he could be there again after a rough 2026 in which he hit .207/.266/.361 with a 69 wRC+.
That kind of season cuts into leverage fast. Still, the Red Sox have a crowded outfield, with Roman Anthony’s injury adding another wrinkle, and Duran remains under control for two more seasons.
He’s also not far removed from a huge year in 2024, when he hit .285/.342/.492 with 21 homers, 75 RBI and 34 stolen bases. If Cincinnati took the swing, it would be betting on that version of Duran - a plus defender with elite speed - rather than the one Boston just watched struggle.
Houston could also get into the mix if its offseason turns chaotic. The Astros have already moved on from GM Dana Brown, and manager Joe Espada is expected to follow, which could shake loose some interesting names.
AJ Blubaugh stands out as a practical target. Though he’s a starter by trade, Houston used him only out of the bullpen this season, and he gave them 96 innings across 64 appearances with a 3.66 ERA.
He’d bring value as a versatile arm, the kind of inexpensive pitcher who can cover different roles the way Nick Martinez has. Blubaugh still has minor-league options left and remains arbitration eligible.
Then there’s Orion Kerkering, a reliever with the kind of raw stuff that can change an inning in a hurry. The Phillies right-hander can reach 97 mph, but what really jumps out is how hard it is to square him up; this season he was in the 94th percentile or better in hard-hit rate and average exit velocity.
Even so, things have gone sideways in Philadelphia. Kerkering was optioned to the minors late in the year, and after being one of the Phillies’ most dependable relievers in 2024, his role has shrunk.
It’s fair to wonder whether the Phillies still view him as part of their relief plans moving forward.
In Other News...
Reds Roster Purge Just Took Another Hit Fans Will Notice
The Reds kept reshaping their roster fallout from the 2026 season, clearing two more 40-man spots in the process. Infielder Ivan Johnson was outrighted to Triple-A Louisville, while injured slugger Michael Toglia was claimed off the roster by the Seattle Mariners through waivers, continuing a steady wave of turnover as Cincinnati works through its offseason decisions.
Will Bensons situation added another layer to the shuffle, with the outfielder electing free agency after being designated for assignment and previously accepting a Triple-A assignment. For a club that already knows it needs better depth across both the position-player side and the pitching staff, these moves only sharpen the sense that the Reds are heading into a winter defined by more change than stability. [Read more 🡒]
Reds Just Added Another Offseason Roster Question In The Outfield
Will Bensons time in Cincinnati appears to have run its course after a season that never quite found a stable rhythm. The outfielder split time between the major league roster and the minors, spending 51 games with the big club and another 66 in the system while his playing time bounced around and his results varied depending on the pitcher in front of him.
For the Reds, Bensons departure adds another offseason question to an outfield group that still needs clarity. He arrived with the promise of building on a strong 2023, but he was unable to sustain that production, and his decision to elect free agency leaves Cincinnati to sort out what comes next in a spot that already felt unsettled. [Read more 🡒]
Reds May Need These 3 Prospects More Than Anyone Realizes
The Reds are headed into an offseason where the payroll math matters as much as the roster depth chart, with salary commitments and arbitration raises already tightening the teams free-agent flexibility. That puts an even brighter spotlight on the farm system, where a few names are starting to look less like long-term projects and more like possible answers if Cincinnati wants to stay competitive without spending heavily on outside help.
Graham has made a noticeable offensive leap and could be in line for protection from the Rule 5 Draft, while Duno keeps standing out with the bat even as questions remain about whether he can hold up defensively. Acuna is still earlier in his climb, but the young pitcher is moving through the minors with enough promise to keep the Reds interested, especially if the command keeps improving. By 2027, one or more of these prospects could matter a lot more to Cincinnati than they do right now. [Read more 🡒]