Reds fans hope outfielder's difficult season won't be his last in Cincinnati

The Cincinnati Reds made several moves ahead of Thursday's game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Reds signed Dominic Smith to a major-league deal, designated right-handed reliever Brooks Kriske for assignment, and sent Brent Suter on a rehab assignment.

In order to make room for Smith on the active roster, the Reds placed Jake Fraley on the 10-day injured list. Fraley was scratched from the starting lineup on Wednesday with a knee sprain, and the injury eventually led to his placement on the IL.

To say this has been a trying year for Fraley would be an understatement. Not only has the outfielder struggled on the field, but Fraley and his family have been dealing with the unquestionably difficult situation involving his young daughter, Avery.

Fraley needed to step away from the game last month in order to tend to his family while his daughter continues to undergo treatment following her leukemia diagnosis last summer. Thankfully, Avery has been in remission since January, and the latest update suggests that she's continuing to improve.

Will Jake Fraley be back with the Reds in 2025?

But while every single fan throughout Reds Country undoubtedly offers their thoughts and prayers to Fraley for all he's had to endure off the field this year, there's no way to ignore the struggles he's endured on the field as well.

Fraley is hitting .271, but his power is way down from a year ago. The 29-year-old owns a .366 slugging percentage this season and, according to Baseball Savant, is in the 5th percentile or lower in expected slugging, barrel rate, average exit velocity, and hard-hit rate. Fraley had 15 home runs in 2023, compared to just three this season.

Fraley is taking home $2.15 million this season and will be in line for a raise through the arbitration process. Given his numbers this season, it's unlikely that Fraley will see a drastic bump, but one would assume his salary will be in the neighborhood of $3 to $4 million. If the Reds believe that Fraley will return to his 2023 form next season, then bringing back the outfielder in 2025 is a no-brainer.

But Fraley will be 30 years old next May, and the Reds have a number of young outfielders down on the farm that could fill a similar role. Jacob Hurtubise, Joey Wiemer, Rece Hinds, and Blake Dunn will all be looking to make an impact and break camp with the big league club next spring.

The Reds have a difficult decision to make this coming offseason. Fraley is a prime candidate to be non-tendered this fall, but the decision isn't crystal clear. Reds fans hope that Fraley returns from the IL and can contribute down the stretch, but if the injury lingers, one has to wonder if he's played his final game in Cincinnati.

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