The Reds’ search for help at third base is already taking shape, and one name on the radar is Philadelphia Phillies infielder Alec Bohm.
Cincinnati made a deadline move for Ke’Bryan Hayes in 2025, but the fit has gone south fast. Hayes has been among the least productive hitters in the majors since landing with the Reds, leaving the club with a clear hole at the hot corner and a winter problem to solve.
MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand recently connected Cincinnati to Bohm as a possible answer.
"Suárez has a mutual option that will be declined, while Ke’Bryan Hayes’ woeful offensive season (five home runs, nine RBIs and a 17 OPS+ in 242 plate appearances) left the Reds with a .583 OPS at third base, the worst in the National League and second worst in the Majors," Feinsand wrote. "Hayes is signed for three more years and $29 million (which includes a $6 million buyout of his 2030 club option), but Cincinnati could use him as a glove off the bench and pursue a new third baseman such as Bohm this offseason. "
Bohm brings a very different offensive profile. He owns a career OPS+ above 100, which means he has been better than league average at the plate over the course of his career. Last season was the first time since 2021 that he finished with an OPS+ under 100.
He’s also shown real consistency in power production. Bohm has reached double-digit home runs in five straight seasons, and at his best he profiles as a bat capable of living in the middle of the order.
For the Reds, the appeal is obvious. Bohm could handle third base and also mix in at designated hitter, giving Cincinnati more flexibility in the lineup while adding some punch around Elly De La Cruz. If the Reds want a serious shot at playing into October, they have to upgrade the roster, and a move for a player like Bohm could be the kind of addition that makes sense without costing a fortune.
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