One of the clearest ways for the Reds to improve their offense in 2027 might also be one of the simplest: stop forcing Ke’Bryan Hayes to be the answer at third base.
That’s the offseason problem staring Nick Krall and Cincinnati right in the face. Hayes brings elite defense, but the bat cratered so badly that he’s now heading into the franchise record book for all the wrong reasons.
The issue isn’t just that the Reds need someone better at the plate. They need a real upgrade, not merely a body who can survive at the hot corner without embarrassing the lineup.
And that’s where the search gets tricky. The free-agent class at third base is thin, lacking both top-end talent and depth.
If Bo Bichette opts out, he could be part of the conversation, but otherwise the best name on the board may be Eugenio Suarez. A reunion with Suarez wouldn’t be a disaster, but his everyday days in the field appear to be behind him, especially for a Cincinnati club trying to clean up its ugly defensive issues.
A trade could theoretically solve it, but that path comes with plenty of roadblocks. The Reds’ farm system sits at the bottom of the league, which makes it tough to swing a deal for a cost-controlled impact third baseman. That problem gets even bigger when you remember that most of Cincinnati’s most appealing prospects are still in the low minors, where volatility is part of the package.
The cleanest fix may already be in house: move Sal Stewart back to third.
Stewart, the NL Rookie of the Year favorite, was primarily a third baseman during his climb through the minors. This season he mostly played first base, but he still spent 45 games there at third, making 33 starts. In 306⅔ innings at the position, he was neutral defensively, finishing with zero defensive runs saved and zero outs above average.
That kind of production - average defense paired with a 30-homer bat - would be a huge upgrade over Hayes at third. But shifting Stewart across the diamond creates a new opening at first base, and that part of the roster looks far easier to patch.
There aren’t any true stars available at first base either, but the pool is deeper than what exists at third. Jake Bauers stands near the top of the group after hitting 26 homers with a 143 wRC+, though both marks sit well above his career norms and may keep his price in check.
Ty France is another possibility after a career year with the Padres and a reputation as a solid defender. Nathaniel Lowe could be brought back after struggling in Cleveland but proving he can hit at Great American Ball Park.
And then there are lower-cost power bets like Rhys Hoskins.
That’s why the logic points in one direction. Third base is the harder spot to fill, and the Reds already have a natural third baseman on the roster. Moving Stewart back to the hot corner and shopping in the deeper first-base market gives Cincinnati the cleaner path to upgrading the offense.
In Other News...
Reds Could Face One Massive Gamble To Reshape Their Offseason
The Reds are entering an offseason where one swingy move could change the shape of the roster, and Boston outfielder Jarren Duran has surfaced as the sort of name that would do it. Cincinnati has reasons to look for a left-field upgrade, and Duran brings the kind of speed and athleticism that can fit a lot of lineups, even after a down year that has complicated his market and pushed his salary outlook higher.
Hunter Greene is the other half of the conversation, which is where the real risk starts to show up for Cincinnati. He is still dealing with injury questions, and his salary situation only adds to the calculation, making any deal feel less like a simple fit and more like a franchise-level gamble. Nothing is close to confirmed, but if the Reds decide to chase a reshaping move, this is the kind of trade framework that would force them to weigh present need against long-term stability. [Read more 🡒]
Reds May Have An Affordable Outfield Fix Right In Front Of Them
Randal Grichuks bounce-back season has quietly put him back on the radar, and it is the kind of profile the Reds have been searching for. After being designated for assignment by the Yankees and landing with the White Sox midseason, the veteran outfielder has produced a .299/.328/.598 slash line with 15 home runs and 44 RBIs in 101 games, enough to remind teams that his right-handed bat still carries real value.
For Cincinnati, the appeal is obvious. Nick Krall has already talked about the need for complementary players, and a right-handed hitter who can balance a left-handed-heavy lineup fits the description almost too neatly. Grichuks age and recent production could make him an affordable option when the market opens, which is why he looks like the sort of move the Reds could pounce on if they want help without chasing the top of the market. [Read more 🡒]
Reds Face A Tough Offseason Decision On One Valuable Trade Chip
After a 2026 season that ended with the Reds back in last place in the National League Central and short of the postseason again, the front office now has a different kind of roster question to answer. Cincinnati largely stood pat at the trade deadline, a choice that drew plenty of second-guessing, and it leaves the club headed into the winter with fewer obvious paths to upgrade than it would have liked.
One of the most interesting pieces in that conversation is JJ Bleday, the outfielder acquired in December 2025 who brought both production and volatility in his first full year with the club. He had his moments, including a cycle and a career-high 24 home runs, and he is still under team control for two more seasons, which gives Cincinnati a real asset to weigh if it decides to reshape the roster rather than simply tweak it. [Read more 🡒]