3 Reds players still stuck in limbo after the Gavin Lux trade

The Cincinnati Reds traded Gavin Lux to the Tampa Bay Rays as part of a three-team deal earlier this week. In exchange, the Reds acquired left-handed reliever Brock Burke from the Los Angeles Angels and also shed approximately $3 million in payroll. With Lux out of the picture, the Reds have a bit more roster flexibility and some extra cash to spend.

But Lux may not be the last Reds player to be shipped out of Cincinnati this offseason. Though his presence on the roster always felt somewhat redundant, much like Lux, there are other players within the organization who are stuck in limbo with spring training less than a month away.

3 Reds players still stuck in limbo after the Gavin Lux trade

Christian Encarnacion-Strand, Reds first baseman

Christian Encarnacion-Strand was the talk of Reds Country after he was acquired from the Minnesota Twins back in 2022. But since making his MLB debut back 2023, Encarnacion-Strand has proven little to nothing in his two-plus seasons in the big leagues.

Encarnacion-Strand's Major League career has been defined by injuries. In 63 games during his rookie season in 2023, Encarnacion-Strand looked like the power-hitter Reds fans had been hoping for, and a clear replacement for Joey Votto at first base. Over the last two seasons, however, he's appeared in just 65 games and hit .199/.227/.337 with a 51 OPS+.

Both Spencer Steer and Sal Stewart having leapfrogged Encarnacion-Strand on the depth chart, and it'll be difficult for him to find a path toward meaningful playing time next season. The Reds have no need to jettison the slugger prior to the start of the season, but he may be stuck in the minor leagues at the outset of the 2026 campaign.

Will Benson, Reds outfielder

Trading Lux actually helps Will Benson in one regard — there's now one less left-handed bat on the roster. But Benson's role for 2026 has yet to be determined. The Reds' outfielder has amassed quite a fan following since his arrival, but his inconsistent play kept him in Terry Francona's doghouse for most of last season.

Left-handed hitting outfielder JJ Bleday joined the Reds earlier this offseason, and with Dane Myers arguably the best defender in the outfield, one has wonder whether or not there's enough at-bats to go around.

The Reds and Benson avoided arbitration and settled on a deal worth $1.725 million; which is quite affordable for a fourth outfielder. But depending on what additions (if any) the Reds make between now and Opening Day, Benson may be starting the year in the minor leagues — or traded before the season begins.

Rece Hinds, Reds outfielder

Rece Hinds is one of the most polarizing players in the entire Reds organization. He has phenomenal power and incredible athleticism, but his lack of plate discipline has kept him in the minor leagues for the majority of his professional career.

Though it wasn't reflected during his 15-game stint with the big league club last season, Hinds saw a huge reduction in strikeouts last season. After posting a grotesque 37.9% K-rate in the minors back in 2024, Hinds watched that number dip to 25.9% last season.

Hinds will have the loudest bat in camp, but can he show enough improvement to land a spot on the Reds Opening Day roster? That seems doubtful at the moment, but he still has minor-league options remaining, and it he possesses one thing this Reds team lacks — power.