Reds' decision to keep Oswaldo Cabrera could pave the way for a surprising trade

Unsurprisingly, the Cincinnati Reds agreed to a one-year deal with former New York Yankees utility-man Oswaldo Cabrera shortly after the 2026 season ended. Cabrera was DFA'd by the Yankees in September, and the Reds swooped in and added him to the roster.

He appeared in just four games for Cincinnati last season, but his track record in the Bronx speaks for itself. A brutal leg injury robbed Cabrera of almost the entire 2025 season, but in the two seasons prior, he appeared in 224 games and played nearly every position on the field.

The Reds have made no bones about the fact they're looking to add more complimentary players to the roster heading into the 2027 season, and Cabrera clearly fits the bill. But does his presence on the 40-man give rise to the idea that Cincinnati could shop Spencer Steer this offseason?

Does signing Oswaldo Cabrera make it easier for the Reds to trade Spencer Steer?

Cabrera and Steer are two entirely different players in the batter's box. Cabrera has just 20 home runs across five seasons, while Steer had 20 or more homers in three of his first four years in the big leagues. If it weren't for a wrist injury that sidelined him over the second-half of the season, he likely would've made four years in a row.

Defensively, however, Cabrera and Steer share a lot of similarities. Both can play multiple position all over the diamond, including moving from the infield dirt to the outfield grass. Cabrera is arguably the better of the two defensively, especially in the outfield, but Steer was a Gold Glove finalist at first base in 2025. Their versatility is one of their best attributes.

Steer was talked about a potential trade chip earlier this summer, and were it not for that aforementioned injury, it's possible the Reds would've moved him before the August 3 deadline. Steer excels against left-handed pitching, and with two years of control remaining, there are a number of teams who'd be lining up to snag such a player.

But that injury — especially one involving the wrist — will certainly hurt Steer's trade value. No one outside the Reds' front office knows what the offers looked like prior to this year's trade deadline, but to assume that any proposal put forth this winter will match (or exceed) what Cincinnati received earlier this year is foolish.

As such, it's doubtful we'll hear much about a trade for Steer this winter. But the influx of versatile talent certainly makes such a move more likely than in previous years. In addition to Cabrera, the Reds also have Edwin Arroyo, Juan Brito, Matt McLain, and Sal Stewart on the 40-man roster. Each one played multiple positions last season, and Cincinnati could be on the lookout for similar players in free agency this winter.

For now, Steer's spot on the roster is probably safe. But he's certainly a name to keep an eye on as the offseason unfolds.

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