Reds finally fix glaring roster flaw with trade for Marlins outfielder

The Cincinnati Reds front office was busy making some post-Christmas moves this weekend. Just hours after signing former first-round pick JJ Bleday, the Reds made a trade with the Miami Marlins to acquire outfielder Dane Myers. Cincinnati shipped outfield prospect Ethan O'Donnell to South Beach in order to complete the deal, and designated Lyon Richardson for assignment to clear a spot on the 40-man roster.

Myers is the perfect platoon outfielder for a Reds team that struggled against left-handed pitching in 2025. The 29-year-old hit just .235/.291/.326 last season, but against southpaws, posted a .286/.359/.419 slash line with a 119 wRC+.

Myers also has plenty of speed — both on the base paths and in the outfield. He swiped 18 bags last season and was worth 3 defensive runs saved (DRS) and 2 outs above average (OAA) in the Marlins outfield. Myers saw most of his time in center field, but has experience in both corner outfield spots as well. Additionally, Myers is still pre-arbitration eligible, so this trade will hardly effect the Reds' budget in 2026.

Reds trade prospect Ethan O'Donnell to Marlins for OF Dane Myers

If signing Bleday didn't slam the door shut on the Luis Robert Jr. trade rumors, the Reds deal for Myers will end all speculation. With Bleday, Myers, TJ Friedl, Noelvi Marte, and some combination of Spencer Steer, Will Benson, Blake Dunn, and Gavin Lux all capable of logging time on the outfield grass, there's hardly any room for Robert on the Reds roster.

The combination of Bleday and Myers may force Friedl out to left field in 2026. Earlier this offseason, Reds manager Terry Francona spoke about the need to give Friedl more time off, and the additions of Bleday and Myers should help to do just that.

Furthermore, the only prospect Cincinnati had to surrender in order to fill out the roster was O'Donnell. A sixth-round pick in 2023, the former Northwestern standout is a solid prospect, but he'll likely be little more than a fourth outfielder if/ when he makes it to the big leagues.

Neither Bleday nor Myers are the big-time splashes Reds fans were hoping for, but both players offer an upgrade over Lux and Steer in the outfield next season. Look for Nick Krall and the Reds front office to spend the rest of the offseason adding some extra bullpen arms, and maybe even a veteran starter.