Reds could face a painful TJ Friedl decision depending on his September performance

The Cincinnati Reds will be faced with an intriguing decision this coming offseason regarding their starting centerfielder, TJ Friedl. Will the Reds keep Friedl around or trade him this winter? While some Reds fans may be shocked that such a question would even be entertained, the idea of trading Friedl is very much in play.

Friedl, 30, has been the Reds starting centerfielder for much of the past two seasons, and Cincinnati's leadoff hitter after Jonathan India was traded to the Kansas City Royals last fall. Friedl has been an above-average contributor and team-leader since he began getting regular playing time back in 2022.

This coming offseason, however, Friedl will be owed a pay raise through the arbitration system. Though the exact salary won't be known until the two sides exchange numbers some time later this year, Friedl will likely be able to command something in the range of $2 million to $3 million.

Reds could face a painful TJ Friedl decision depending on his September performance

But Friedl's salary implications are somewhat meaningless. Though the Reds never like to spend more than they have to, finding a replacement for Friedl for less than what he'd make through arbitration would be nearly impossible. That is, of course, unless they plan to move Elly De La Cruz to the outfield.

Though the team hasn't said as much publicly, fans throughout Reds Country have been clamoring to see De La Cruz to the outfield for almost two seasons now. There are those among the Cincinnati faithful who daydream about how well De La Cruz's speed and arm strength would translate to the outfield, and the Reds have already made a similar move with another former shortstop, Noelvi Marte.

Which brings the conversation back to Friedl and his performance during the final month of the season. He's done a good job setting the tone so far. Friedl hit just .234/.358/.297 during July and August, but started out the month of September with back-to-back two hit games, including a clutch base hit in the bottom of the ninth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays on Monday.

The Reds are certainly hoping that Friedl can return to being the table-setter he was to begin the 2025 season. He's been a key cog for the Reds the past two seasons, but he's not getting any younger and is becoming more expensive. Will Cincinnati keep him around next season? If his performance this month is just a continuation of July and August, the answer might be, no.

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