Why Joey Loperfido Could Be the Reds’ Sneaky Smart Play This Offseason
The Cincinnati Reds head into the offseason with a familiar challenge: trying to stretch a tight budget across a roster that needs more than just a few tweaks. After a thrilling run to the 2025 Wild Card, the club is looking to take the next step - but doing so without much financial wiggle room is going to require some creativity.
There are a few ways the Reds could approach this. They could go big and chase a proven bat like Kyle Schwarber, but that kind of move likely eats up most of their available payroll and leaves the bullpen - which still needs attention - untouched.
They could take a chance on a veteran coming off a down year, like Nick Castellanos, and hope for a bounce-back. Or they could stand pat, trust internal growth, and risk losing momentum with a fanbase that’s hungry for more.
But there’s another route - one that doesn’t get as much attention but might make the most sense. It’s the kind of move that requires some vision and a willingness to bet on upside: targeting a young, talented player who’s blocked on a win-now roster. Enter Joey Loperfido.
A Buy-Low Opportunity with Real Upside
Loperfido, a 26-year-old outfielder, was once a rising prospect in the Houston Astros system, climbing as high as No. 6 on Baseball America’s list before being traded to Toronto in the Yusei Kikuchi deal at the 2024 deadline. He’s got tools - a lot of them.
Left-handed bat, raw power, speed, defensive versatility. He’s capable of covering center field in a pinch, though his arm profiles better in left.
And while he’s not a finished product, the skill set is intriguing.
In 2023, he put those tools on display across Double-A and Triple-A, slashing .278/.370/.510 with 25 home runs and 27 stolen bases. That performance earned him a call-up the following year, where he logged 81 games between Houston and Toronto. The adjustment to big-league pitching wasn’t smooth - he posted a .614 OPS - but that’s hardly uncommon for a rookie bouncing between two clubs.
This past season, Loperfido saw more consistent playing time in Toronto, appearing in 41 games due to injuries in the outfield. And he made the most of it, slashing .333/.379/.500 over 104 plate appearances. It was a small sample, sure, but it showed signs of growth - better plate discipline, more consistent contact, and a little pop.
Why He Might Be Available
Toronto’s current outfield picture is crowded - and that’s putting it lightly. Daulton Varsho, George Springer, Anthony Santander, Nathan Lukes, and Myles Straw are all in the mix, and there’s talk of the Blue Jays being in on big-name free agents like Kyle Tucker or Cody Bellinger. With the Jays pushing all their chips in for 2026, Loperfido is the odd man out - not because of a lack of talent, but because there just isn’t room.
That’s where the Reds could step in.
If Cincinnati is looking to maximize value and build for both now and later, Loperfido fits the mold. He’s still in his pre-arbitration years, meaning he comes with cost control - a big plus for a team watching every dollar. And unlike a short-term veteran rental, he could grow alongside the Reds’ young core of Elly De La Cruz, Sal Stewart, Noelvi Marte, and others.
A Calculated Gamble Worth Considering
No, Loperfido isn’t a sure thing. But that’s true of almost every option the Reds are looking at this winter. The question is: would you rather bet on a 26-year-old with tools, upside, and team control - or a mid-30s veteran hoping to recapture past form?
The Reds don’t need to swing for the fences with every move. What they need is smart, forward-thinking roster building.
Loperfido might not be the splashiest name out there, but he checks a lot of boxes - and he won’t break the bank. In a market where perfect solutions are hard to find, he might just be the right kind of imperfect fit.
If Cincinnati wants to keep building toward sustainable success, this is the kind of move that could quietly pay off in a big way.