4 realistic trade targets who could fix the Reds’ biggest weakness

The Cincinnati Reds bats are heating up — at least against right-handed pitching. The Reds lineup is finally starting to get healthy, and against right-handed pitching, is among the best in the league. Cincinnati has posted a respectable .258/.330/.423 slash line against righties, and their .753 OPS is among the top-10 in all of Major League Baseball.

But the wheels come off once a left-hander steps onto the bump. Cincinnati's OPS against southpaws drops over 100 points when compared to right-handed pitching, and Terry Francona's lineup is barely able to scratch across a .215 batting average.

Getting Christian Encarnacion-Strand and Austin Hays back in the lineup will certainly bolster this club's production against lefties, but one more bat in the lineup with proven success against lefties could push the Reds into playoff contention. Who are four realistic trade targets that could fix the Reds' biggest weakness?

4 trade targets who could fix the Reds’ biggest weakness

Luis Robert Jr., Chicago White Sox outfielder

Luis Robert Jr. was on the Reds' radar during the offseason, and rumors revealed that Cincinnati was in negotiations with the Chicago White Sox before settling on a one-year deal for Hays. Robert is in the midst of a down-year, making his $15 million salary more difficult to swallow. But his lack of production should lessen the return Chicago will be able to secure in exchange for Robert's services. If the prospect package isn't exorbitant, adding Robert, who's boasting a .273/.396/.432 line against lefties, would be a nice upgrade.

Cedric Mullins, Baltimore Orioles outfielder

The Baltimore Orioles aren't ready to throw in the towel just yet, but Cedric Mullins will likely be made available regardless of the O's win-loss record. Mullins is in the final year of his arbitration window, and as such, will likely be on the trade block. Mullins has reverse splits this season with a .903 OPS and a 16.7% walk rate against fellow lefties. His career numbers, however, paint a different story, which may make Mullins less desirable than others on this list.

Rob Refsnyder, Boston Red Sox outfielder

With the addition of Roman Anthony, the Boston Red Sox have a bevy of outfielders on the active roster. While Wilyer Abreu or Jarren Duran would bring an everyday bat to the Reds' lineup, Rob Refsnyder is the perfect player to pair with one of Will Benson or Jake Fraley. A platoon of those three in right field while Hays and TJ Friedl man the other two outfield spots could propel Cincinnati into the postseason picture.

Miguel Andujar, Athletics outfielder/ third baseman

Miguel Andujar is currently on the IL with an oblique injury — which complicates a potential trade — but was hitting lefties quite well this season. Signed to a one-year, $3 million deal, Andujar is hitting .389/.405/.500 with a 160 wRC+ against southpaws in 2025. No one is going to confuse Andujar for a Gold Glove-caliber defender, but you're trading for his bat, not his glove.

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