The Cincinnati Reds are at a crossroads. After a 2025 season that saw them sneak into the postseason - thanks more to the Mets’ collapse than their own dominance - the momentum that should’ve followed has stalled. And with spring training fast approaching, the front office finds itself in a familiar, frustrating position: on the sidelines while other teams make moves.
Let’s be clear - the Reds have built something worth believing in on the mound. Their starting rotation is a legitimate strength, and in today’s MLB, that’s not something to take for granted.
But if they want to take the next step - not just contending for a Wild Card spot, but actually making noise in October - they need to do more than just wait for their young hitters to figure it out. They need to add a bat.
And Mickey Moniak might just be the right kind of swing.
Yes, the Dodgers are playing a different game financially. Their recent splash for Kyle Tucker is just the latest reminder of the payroll gap that exists across the league.
But that doesn’t excuse inaction. The Reds don’t need to go dollar-for-dollar with the big spenders - they just need to be smart, aggressive, and willing to invest in the right pieces.
To this point, the Reds’ offseason has been quiet. Too quiet.
Brock Burke could be a solid addition to the bullpen, but that move didn’t exactly move the needle for a fanbase hungry for progress. The missed opportunity with Kyle Schwarber - an Ohio native who would’ve brought power and presence to the lineup - only added to the frustration.
So now, the question becomes: what’s next?
Enter Mickey Moniak.
The former No. 1 overall pick has had a winding road through the big leagues, but last season in Colorado, he finally put it together. In 135 games, Moniak hit .270 with 24 home runs, 68 RBIs, and an .824 OPS. He showed the kind of pop and consistency that once made him a top prospect, and while the Coors Field effect is real, the talent is too.
There are red flags, no doubt. His walk rate sat at just 4.8%, and his defensive metrics - including -23 defensive runs saved and -8 outs above average - were rough.
But Moniak also stayed healthy, played regularly, and proved he could contribute over a full season. That’s not nothing, especially for a team like the Reds that’s been burned by inconsistency and injuries in the outfield.
And here’s the key: Moniak wouldn’t cost the Reds a top-tier prospect. With only two years of arbitration left and a history of injuries, the Rockies may be inclined to sell high. That’s exactly the kind of opportunity Cincinnati should be looking for - a player with upside, some risk, and a price tag that doesn’t gut the farm system.
It’s also worth noting that Moniak is likely a clear upgrade over JJ Bleday, another left-handed outfielder the Reds recently added. While Bleday may have been a low-risk pickup, Moniak brings a higher ceiling and a more proven bat. If the Reds are serious about building a complete lineup, this is the kind of move that can make a difference - not a blockbuster, but a meaningful addition.
And let’s not forget the context. The Reds’ offense has been built on the hope that young players like Spencer Steer, Matt McLain, Will Benson, and Christian Encarnacion-Strand will take that next step.
That’s a fine plan in theory, but in practice, it’s left the lineup thin and inconsistent. Betting on internal development alone is a risky game, especially when the pitching is ready to win now.
Moniak understands what it means to struggle. He’s been labeled a bust, battled injuries, and fought for playing time.
But last season, he finally showed what he can do with regular at-bats. That kind of resilience matters.
And if he can bring even 80% of that production to Cincinnati, he could help balance a lineup that desperately needs it.
Adding Moniak wouldn’t just be about numbers - it’s about fit. His presence could ease the burden on Elly De La Cruz and lengthen a lineup that often felt top-heavy in 2025. And with Terry Francona at the helm, there’s reason to believe a player like Moniak could thrive in the right environment.
The Reds don’t need to make a splash - they need to make a move. The window to capitalize on their pitching is open, but it won’t stay that way forever. And after years of asking fans to be patient, it’s time to reward that patience with progress.
A Moniak trade won’t dominate headlines, but it could help shape the 2026 season in a big way. Nick Krall and the front office have the pieces to get a deal done - now it’s just a matter of pulling the trigger. Because if Cincinnati stands pat, they risk falling back into the same October routine: watching from home.
The time to act is now.