Reds asking Spencer Steer to sacrifice comfort for upside will have fans divided

Spencer Steer is arguably the most well-liked player on the entire Cincinnati Reds roster; both among his teammates and fans. He helps to keep the clubhouse loose, is an absolute grinder on the field, and has the ability to play multiple positions.

Steer is also a talented baseball player who, after returning to play the field following an early-season injury that limited him to only DH, hit .253/.327/.435 with 20 home runs and a 108 wRC+. Only All-Star shortstop Elly De La Cruz had more homers (22) and higher wRC+ (109).

Steer also played Gold Glove-caliber defense at first base after returning to full-time action on April 20 in Baltimore. He was worth 8 defensive runs saved (DRS) and 6 outs above average (OAA) at the cold corner. Despite his elite defensive numbers at first base, however, Steer will be ticketed to play left field more often than not heading into 2026.

Spencer Steer is likely to be the Reds primary left fielder in 2026

Cincinnati reporter Charlie Goldsmith recently revealed that the Reds plan for Steer is a varied one. While he'll see still some time at first base on occasion, it sounds as if left field will be his semi-permanent home in 2026; though he'll also try his hand at second base and right field. In short, Steer will line up wherever Terry Francona asks him.

Francona's plan for Steer entering spring training is bound to ruffle some feathers throughout Reds Country given how well he played defensively at first base in 2025. But Tito will be looking for ways to get Sal Stewart's bat into the lineup with regularity, and after adding Eugenio Suárez to the mix as the team's primary DH, Steer's best opportunity to find regular playing time will be in the outfield.

This experiment is not new, but it's a major reason why fans are bound to be split on this decision. Nick Senzel famously failed to transition from the infield dirt to the outfield grass, but defensive wizard Billy Hamilton had no issues and became a human highlight reel in center field after coming up through the farm system as a shortstop.

The Reds don't need Steer to be an elite defender in left, and it's quite likely that fans will see him move around to various spots during the game. If the Reds are holding a slim lead in the ninth inning, don't be shocked if Steer comes in from left to take over at first base.

These things have a way of working themselves out, and Francona will be looking to put the best nine players in the Reds lineup on a daily basis. The one thing Cincinnati lacked in 2025 was pop, and though moving Steer to the outfield could affect the overall team defense, the lineup will be much more potent.