Jeff Passan floats Reds' free agent fit that would instantly fill their biggest need

The Cincinnati Reds may be operating on a shoestring budget this offseason, but it would seem that no one informed MLB insider Jeff Passan of the team's tight-fisted approach to free agent spending. In his latest column on ESPN.com, Passan floated the idea of the Reds signing free agent first baseman Pete Alonso. Passan wrote, "He could stay with the Mets, move up to Boston, bring Cincinnati the big bat it desperately needs."

Alonso would instantly fix one of biggest problems facing the Reds this offseason. Cincinnati was severely lacking power in 2025, as evidenced by their 21st-ranked slugging percentage and 167 home runs.

Elly De La Cruz (22) and Spencer Steer (21) were the only Reds players to surpass 20 round-trippers last season despite the team playing half their games in one of the most homer-friendly venues in all of Major League Baseball. A player like Alonso could set a new career-high if he joined the Reds this winter.

Adding Pete Alonso would solve one of the Reds biggest offseason problems

Alonso is exactly the middle-of-the-order type of bat the Reds need. Not only could he crush 50-plus bombs, he'd also provide invaluable protection behind De La Cruz. Opposing pitchers can afford to be stingy with the Reds superstar due to the lack of competent bats behind him. De La Cruz had players like Austin Hays and Miguel Andujar hitting behind him last season, but has never had the type of protection a big bat like Alonso would provide.

Passan also mentioned Alonso's willingness to serve as a DH-only; something the Reds have typically rejected. In this case, however, it's a virtual certainty that Terry Francona would make an exception. Alonso is a first baseman by trade, but Steer produced Gold Glove defense at that position in 2025, and Cincinnati has up-and-comer Sal Stewart who'll need to find a defensive home as well.

Unfortunately, Reds fans know all too well that this type of free agent pursuit is highly unlikely to happen. While Alonso's free agent number could be tricky to pin down, it's hard to imagine he'll sign for much less than $25 million per year. According to MLB Trade Rumors, the former Mets' slugger could take home a four-year, $110 million deal this offseason. Reds' owner Bob Castellini wouldn't touch that with a 10-foot pole.

While this feels more like fantasy, if Alonso lingers on the free agent market like he did last winter, the notion that Cincinnati could make a late-offseason play could become a reality. If other teams fail to meet Alonso's contract demands, he may be forced to sign a short-term deal once again this offseason. That's a scenario that Nick Krall and Reds front office would have to explore.