Reds to receive in-person audition from free agent to-be Hunter Renfroe

The Cincinnati Reds added Harrison Bader (New York Yankees) and Hunter Renfroe (Los Angeles Angels) to the active roster on Thursday afternoon. Michael Siani and Alejo Lopez were designated for assignment in order to make room for the two outfielders.

Bader will certainly add some top-flight defense to the Reds outfield and has crushed left-handed pitching over the years. Expect to see Bader in the lineup every time a southpaw is on the mound.

As for Renfroe, the slugger could be more a mainstay in the Reds lineup over the final month of the season. In fact, it could be an audition of sorts for the former Angels outfielder.

Reds to receive in-person audition from free agent to-be Hunter Renfroe.

Let's face it, the list of impending free agents isn't overly exciting. Sure, there's Los Angeles Angels superstatr Shohei Ohtani who's bound to land a massive contract, but aside from that, the list consists of Cody Bellinger, Blake Snell, and Matt Chapman.

The Cincinnati Reds, for the first time since 2019, will have some significant money to spend during free agency this coming winter. But will they? No, this isn't a shot at ownership's lack of spending, but the fact of the matter is that baseball's free agent class is rather weak.

Hunter Renfroe is part of that free agent class and represents one of the better right-handed hitting power bats who'll be available this offseason. The final month of the 2023 season offers Renfroe the chance for an in-person audition of sorts.

Will Benson, Jake Fraley, and TJ Friedl all figure to be part of the Cincinnati Reds outfielder in 2024, but Stuart Fairchild doesn't exactly put fear into the opposing pitcher. Renfroe, however, has smashed 25 or more homers in five of the past six seasons and may do so again this year.

The Reds will be looking to upgrade the roster during the offseason. While the trade route may yield better results, Hunter Renfroe will be looking to show the Reds front office that he can be a key contributor.