The Dodgers’ stunning postseason collapse has already turned attention to what comes next in Los Angeles, but it may also create an opening for the Cincinnati Reds. The Reds have roster needs of their own, and with Nick Krall saying at the end-of-year press conference that Cincinnati needs more complementary and platoon players, a few Dodgers names fit the bill.
One of the more interesting options is Kris Bubic. The left-hander was an All-Star with the Kansas City Royals in 2025, but his 2026 season was wrecked by injury.
He made only nine starts before going on the IL, then was traded to the Dodgers before the Aug. 3 deadline. In Los Angeles, Bubic appeared in five regular-season relief outings and worked twice out of the bullpen in the playoffs.
He’s headed for free agency this winter and would likely be looking for a one-year “prove-it” deal. With Hunter Greene sidelined by Tommy John surgery and set to miss next season, Bubic could give the Reds a temporary answer in 2027.
Alex Call also checks a box for Cincinnati. The 32-year-old outfielder has been particularly effective against left-handed pitching, and his production against lefties last season (.827 OPS) topped his career mark (.762 OPS).
He paired that with a disciplined approach at the plate, shown by a 17.2% whiff rate, while holding up as an average defender in a corner-outfield spot. That profile would make him a useful platoon partner for JJ Bleday or Héctor Rodríguez.
Another possible fit is Alex Freeland, a switch-hitting, versatile defender who doesn’t chase much and lines up well with the Reds’ contact-over-power emphasis. Freeland is still pre-arbitration eligible and has minor-league options left, which adds flexibility.
His minor league numbers - .257/.372/.426 - haven’t matched what he has done in the majors so far, where he’s hit .222/.318/.321, but his big-league opportunities with the Dodgers have been limited and uneven over his first two seasons in Los Angeles. He could be a useful bench piece in Cincinnati next season.
Evan Phillips rounds out the list, and he would bring a different kind of value. The Reds still haven’t hired a pitching coach, so their direction on the mound is still taking shape, but Phillips would fit almost anywhere.
He’s dealt with a forearm injury over the past two seasons, yet when healthy, the right-hander has the kind of stuff that stands out. In 2026, he threw 26 innings, struck out 31.1% of the batters he faced and walked 5.7%.
His fastball sits around 97 mph, and he leans on a sharp sweeper against hitters from both sides. Phillips is also set to become a free agent this winter.
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