Astros' latest roster move just handed the Reds the type of player they crave

Predictably, the Cincinnati Reds payroll is expected to remain about the same heading into 2026. As such, Nick Krall and the Reds' front office will be forced to make roster improvements around the margins, and any notion that Cincinnati will swing a for the fences during free agency is total and complete nonsense.

Nevertheless, as the Reds are prone to do around this time of year, they'll be targeting former top prospects who've fallen on hard times, ex-All-Star stars who carry considerable durability concerns, or high-upside/ low cost veterans who are looking to reignite their careers. Former Houston Astros outfielder Chas McCormick fits nicely into that last category.

The Astros outrighted McCormick off their 40-man roster on Tuesday. The veteran outfielder was a World Series hero in 2022 — making a crucial catch in Game 5 against the Philadelphia Phillies — but has fallen from grace over the past two seasons. Since 2024, McCormick has hit just .211/.273/.301 in 158 games played.

Former Astros outfielder Chas McCormick is the type of player the Reds crave

McCormick looked like a rising star in Houston after his first two seasons with the Astros. He hit .250/.326/.425 with 109 OPS+ and played above-average defense. His best season came in 2023 when he appeared in 113 games, posted a .273/.353/.489 slash line with 22 home runs, 70 RBI, and 130 OPS+.

A hamstring slowed McCormick's 2024 campaign, and even after returning, never looked like the same player. He later suffered a hand fracture that ended his season prematurely. The injury bug bit him once again in 2025. An oblique injury sidelined McCormick from late-May through the middle of July, and his poor performance following his return to the big leagues eventually led to him being optioned back to the minors.

While it's difficult to see the silver lining in such a signing, McCormick has routinely found success against left-handed pitching throughout his career. Last season, he hit just .214/.298/.381 against southpaws, but for his career, owns a .280/.353/.493 slash line with a 137 wRC+.

The Reds will no doubt be on the lookout for a right-handed hitting platoon outfielder with favorable splits against left-handed pitching. McCormick more than fits that mold, and can play all three outfield spots too.

While Reds fans may not like it, it's hard to dismiss the idea that McCormick is exactly the type of player Cincinnati's front office typically targets in free agency. Don't be shocked if he's plucked off waivers or signed to a Major League deal later this winter.