The Cincinnati Reds are coming off an 83-win season. They also suffered a Wild Card series loss to the eventual World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers. Free agency is underway, and fans are crossing their fingers for a big splash. Kyle Schwarber has been linked to the Reds this offseason. Imagine the fireworks if Terry Francona slots him into a lineup with Elly De La Cruz. The big question: will the Reds offer enough to lure a bat of that caliber away from larger-market suitors? I’m hopeful. We need a way to secure Schwarber, the big fish and local boy.
Meanwhile, here are three other potential additions who could legitimately help the Reds this winter. I’m focusing strictly on offense — bats only. Rotation and bullpen talk can wait for another piece.
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2025 Weaknesses
Last season, the Cincinnati Reds scored 716 runs in 162 games (4.42 runs per game) and allowed 715 runs (4.41 per game). They finished 8th in the National League in runs scored. Among playoff teams, only the San Diego Padres scored fewer with 702 runs. The offense looked middling across several key statistics. They ranked 11th in NL batting average and 10th in walks. Additionally, they were 9th in OBP, 10th in OPS, 9th in slugging, and 8th in home runs. The math is straightforward — you can’t score if you don’t get on base. The Reds need more guys who reliably reach via hit or walk.
Targets to Consider
Yandy Díaz — Tampa Bay (via trade)
Díaz isn’t splashy, but he’s steady — the kind of on-base bat the Cincinnati Reds lack. He’s 34 and projects primarily as a DH, with occasional first base work if needed. Last year, he hit .300 with 25 homers, 83 RBI, and an .848 OPS. Since 2022, his lowest average was .281. He’s no burner on the bases. Slot him in the middle of the order, and he will consistently drive in runs. He will keep innings alive for the guys after him. This isn’t an exciting headline-grabber. It might be overlooked given the young bats in the system. Sometimes, a proven OBP machine is exactly what a team needs.
Jarren Duran — Boston (via trade)
This is my favorite target. I wanted the Reds to pursue Duran at the last trade deadline. Even after a down year in 2025, he’s still worth chasing. He has three years of control left and is still in his 20s, so he won’t be cheap. Pairing Duran at the top with Elly De La Cruz would be nightmare fuel for opposing pitchers and catchers. He has shown ridiculous base-stealing ability. Duran stole 91 bases the past three seasons (including limited games in 2023). He hit .285 in 2024 (and .295 in 2023). Last year, he hit .256 with a .332 OBP and a .774 OPS; he’s also been durable in producing doubles and RBI in recent seasons. He would be an immediate upgrade over Will Benson in the outfield. He would also add speed and gap power. Additionally, he would be a true table-setter for the lineup. Cost could be high, but the upside is enormous.
Rhys Hoskins — Free Agent
Hoskins battled injury, but in 90 games for Milwaukee, he produced 12 homers, 43 RBI, a .237 average, .332 OBP, and a .748 OPS. He’s not my dream target. However, a short-term deal makes sense as insurance. It provides a right-handed thump in the middle of the order. Getting Hoskins could allow Spencer Steer back to left field regularly and let Will Benson settle into a bench/4th-outfielder role. Hoskins has a solid career walk rate of around 15%. He can clear the bases in spurts. Cheap, short-term, and useful if health holds.
Long Shot
The Cincinnati Reds have a pitching surplus in their system. The Baltimore Orioles are flush with young catching and offensive talent. If Baltimore ever chose to focus on rotation upgrades, Adley Rutschman could hypothetically be a trade chip. This applies even though he had a brutal 2025. Rutschman is only 27. He is a prime bounce-back candidate. However, trading a premium prospect like Hunter Greene and others would be a heavy price. Last year, in 90 games, Rutschman had 16 doubles, 9 homers, 29 RBI, a .220 average and a .673 OPS — not good, but he’s a career .254 hitter and still young. This is far-fetched. If the Reds wanted to accelerate a deep playoff push, they would need a big swing. Unusual trades are where those swings happen.
Summary
The Cincinnati Reds must add offense this winter. They need this if they want to move from a one-and-done Wild Card club to a true National League threat. Signing Kyle Schwarber would be the marquee move. He is my top target. Out of the four names above, Jarren Duran is the one I’d champion without hesitation. He checks the boxes offensively. He brings elite speed and defensive juice. Paired with Elly De La Cruz up top, that’s an electric combo.
Proposed lineup with the addition of Jarren Duran:
Jarren Duran — LF
Noelvi Marte — RF
Elly De La Cruz — SS
Spencer Steer — 1B
Sal Stewart / Gavin Lux — DH
Tyler Stephenson — C
Ke’Bryan Hayes — 3B
Matt McLain — 2B
TJ Friedl — CF
It’s the time of year when every fan has a Christmas wish list. Consider this mine. Yes, I want Schwarber. But, if I can only have one from above, give me Duran. Let’s run.
