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Reds can't afford to fall into Cardinals trap with prime non-tender candidate

We can pass on this one.
ByStephen Parello
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Sep 2, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; St. Louis Cardinals third base Nolan Gorman (16) reacts after striking out during the fifth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at UNIQLO Field at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
Sep 2, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; St. Louis Cardinals third base Nolan Gorman (16) reacts after striking out during the fifth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at UNIQLO Field at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Cincinnati Reds are expected to be active in the non-tender market as a means to find cheap upgrades at positions of need. The Reds struck twice last season with JJ Bleday and Nathaniel Lowe.

Lowe to be an asset in a Reds uniform, and provided some additional value when flipped at the trade deadline. Bleday was more of a mixed bag, starting red hot before cratering down the stretch.

One of the more obvious non-tender candidates this winter comes from the division rival St. Louis Cardinals. Nolan Gorman has worn out his welcome with the Cardinals. The left-handed hitting slugger was demoted to Triple-A Memphis in June for poor performance.

The rebuilding Cardinals might not have an option that is clearly better than Gorman right now, but a pair of 24-year-olds, Blaze Jordan and Thomas Saggese, give St. Louis younger and more cost-effective options.

Cincinnati desperately needs to replace Ke'Bryan Hayes with someone who, at minimum, has a pulse in the batter's box, so naturally, the 26-year-old could draw their attention.

Nolan Gorman is not a viable solution for the Reds at third base

The allure of Gorman is adding a power bat from the left side at a position of need. Cincy's left-handed hitters combined for a 23rd-ranked .387 slugging percentage in 2026, so killing two birds with one stone by bringing in an offensive upgrade at the hot corner who also brings pop from the left side would seem like a massive win.

Gorman was at his best in 2023 when he clocked 27 dingers in just 119 games, while slashing .236/.328/.478. He walked at a well-above-average 11.4%, but his strikeout rate was a nearly untenable 31.9% that only worked in concert with that walk rate and an impressive .241 ISO. Unfortunately, it would also foreshadow what was to come.

His 2024 season saw his K-rate skyrocket to 37.6%, and his production cratered to a .207/.271/.400 line as a result. In 2025, he struck out a 33.8% clip and hit just .205/.296/.370. This year, Gorman struck out 32.5% of the time and put up a career-worst .184/.272/.308 line.

The last thing the Reds need after tying the Los Angeles Angels for the league's worst strikeout rate at 25.5% is another whiff-prone bat, especially one that hasn't produced in three years. Making matters worse, Gorman is a below-average defender. If they're going to run out a third baseman who can't hit, they might as well stick with Hayes and benefit from his Gold Glove defense.

The Cardinals are actively seeking short-term solutions at the hot corner, essentially confirming that Gorman will get his walking papers by the November 20 deadline. The Reds can't be tempted into believing that he's a reclamation project on the basis of his 2023 promise. The body of work since then has been atrocious, and proves that believing a return to form is in the cards is a fool's errand. Cincinnati can't be that fool.

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