3 free agent outfielders the Reds should target during the MLB Winter Meetings

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It's likely that all of Reds Country can agree that the Cincinnati outfield is the biggest area of need as the MLB Winter Meetings are set to begin.

The first week of December is oftentimes when deals get done, or at least are set in motion. Agents and general managers are all in one place, and this year, the MLB Winter Meetings will be in-person for the first time since 2019.

After signing Luke Maile to the be the Cincinnati Reds backup catcher in 2023, GM Nick Krall's task should be to add a right-handed hitting outfielder to club. Which three free agent outfielders should the Reds target at the Winter Meetings?

1. Jake Marisnick would add a top-shelf glove to the Reds outfield.

With Aristides Aquino set to play overseas in 2023, the Cincinnati Reds outfield will need to find a capable defender. Cincinnati's outfield defense was lousy in 2022. NIck Senzel, TJ Friedl, and Jake Fraley combined for -21 defensive runs saved last season according to Fielding Bible.

Jake Marisnick, who played most of the 2022 season with the Pittsburgh Pirates, is a free agent this offseason. Marisnick is a journeyman who's spent time with six different organizations throughout his 10-year major league career.

Marisnick is not going to be confused for the elite-hitting outfielders in this year's free agent class. For his career, Marisnick has hit .228/.281/.384, but the 31-year-old does have 76 DRS and can play all three outfield positions.

Jake Marisnick could platoon with TJ Friedl or Jake Fraley in the outfield, though the California actually produced reverse splits in 2022, slashing .324/.342/.487 against right-handed pitchers. However, his career splits favor the lefty-righty matchup.

Marisnick would fit the mold of a low-cost free agent acquisition, similar to Luke Maile, and would fill a need for the Cincinnati Reds. But, one could argue that those at-bats would be better served going to Stuart Fairchild. Still, the Reds could do a lot worse than adding the defensive-minded Marisnick to the roster.

2. Wil Myers would bring power to the Reds outfield.

Without Aristides Aquino in the lineup, the Cincinnati Reds lack a power presence in the outfield. While Aquino's bat was not much of a threat last season, if opposing pitchers grooved a fastball over the plate, it was likely to end up in the left field bleachers.

The current crop of outfielders have some power, but the trio of Stuart Fairchild, Jake Fraley, and TJ Friedl aren't going to scare too many opposing pitchers. However, if the Reds were to add Wil Myers to the lineup, that narrative changes.

Unless you consider Joey Votto a power-hitter, which at this stage of his career, he is not, then Cincinnati is void of power in the lineup, especially from the right side. For his career, Myers has slashed .354/.329/.442 with 153 home runs.

Myers had a terrific slash line in the abbreviated 2020 season, but came back to earth a little bit in 2021 and 2022. Still, over the last three seasons, Myers has posted an OPS+ of 122. The North Carolina is also an above-average right fielder and can also play first base.

Wil Myers, at one time, signed the largest contract in San Diego Padres' history. But the Friars turned down Myers' $20M team-option for the 2023 season. Myers could be a back-up option for those teams that miss out on Aaron Judge, Michael Conforto, and Mitch Haniger.

If Myers doesn't get the multi-year deal he's likely seeking, perhaps the Cincinnati Reds could swoop in like they did with Nick Castellanos prior to the 2020 season. Myers might be too pricey for the budget-conscience Reds' front office.

3. Jurickson Profar would be a fine addition to the Reds outfield.

Jurickson Profar might be the type of outfielder who fits exactly what the Cincinnati Reds are looking for. Profar, who can play all over the diamond, turned down his option with the San Diego Padres and is a free agent this offseason.

Profar, according to FanGraphs, has a career-wRC+ of 94, but that number leapt to 111 last season in 152 games with the Friars. Profar slashed .243/.331/.391 with 15 home runs last season.

Profar's best position defensively is left field, which one could argue isn't the best for what the Reds actually need. Jake Fraley, Stuart Fairchild, and TJ Friedl are perhaps all better suited for playing left field themselves.

Still, Jurickson Profar should be on the Cincinnati Reds radar. The 29-year-old declined his $7.5M player-option, so you'd think that boh Profar and his agent believe he can get at least $8M in 2023 or land a multi-year contract.

That price might be a bit steep for the Reds, as Tommy Pham, who's arguably a better player, signed for just $6M in 2022. But with so few in-house options for Cincinnati, general manager Nick Krall may be forced to stretch the budget in order to land a quality outfielder.

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