Reds rumored to be interested in signing former NL MVP

The Cincinnati Reds need to improve the outfield heading into the 2023 season. A former National League MVP would suffice, don't you think?

According to ESPN's MLB Insider Buster Olney, the Reds are one of a handful of teams who are interested in signing Andrew McCutchen. The five-time All-Star played last season for the Milwaukee Brewers after previous stops in Philadelphia, New York (Yankees), San Francisco, and Pittsburgh.

In addition to Cincinnati, the Los Angeles Dodgers, Tampa Bay Rays, and aforementioned Brewers are also interested in McCutchen's services.

Latest Reds rumors suggest Andrew McCutchen is on Cincinnati's radar.

Cincinnati Reds General Manager Nick Krall has said the club has a little bit of money to spend in free agency. How much? We've not been told, but the Reds have several holes that need to filled, not the least of which is the outfield.

McCutchen would offer the Reds a right-handed hitting outfielder, something the team desperately needs with the left-handed hitting trio of TJ Friedl, Jake Fraley, and Michael Siani. While McCutchen has historically played center field, his skills have diminished in recent years and he's become more of a corner outfielder.

While splitting time between playing all three outfield positions and acting as the the Brewers' designated hitter, McCutchen slashed .237/.316/.384 with 42 extra-base hits including 17 home runs.

Last year, McCutchen signed a one-year/$8.5M contract with Milwaukee. Until last season, McCutchen had never posted an OPS+ below 100. McCutchen's 99 OPS+ in 2022 represents an obvious downturn in his production, but that could also mean that his asking price would fall into a range that perhaps the Cincinnati Reds would be comfortable with.

These latest Reds rumors at least suggest that Cincinnati's front office sees the need to upgrade the team's outfield in some way, shape, or form heading into Opening Day next season. Whether or not they're successful in landing Andrew McCutchen is another matter entirely.