Reds have an easy fix for their biggest weakness (but they’ll ignore it again)

The Cincinnati Reds enter the offseason with an obvious need in the outfield. While the Reds seem to have successfully transitioned Noelvi Marte from third base to right field, Austin Hays' impending free agency will soon leave a hole in left field. There's a very easy solution to this problem, but the Reds are likely to ignore it. It's time to move Elly De La Cruz to the outfield.

De La Cruz is the best athlete on the Reds roster, and arguably one of the best in the game. Though he was slowed by a lingering lower body ailment throughout the season, De La Cruz still suited up for all 162 games and ranked among the top 10% in terms of sprint speed. In other words, even a hobbled De La Cruz was still a threat on the base paths.

De La Cruz's defense, however, was a major issue in 2025. The Reds shortstop led the league in errors and even the advanced metrics revealed that his defense took a step backward this past season. De La Cruz was worth -2 outs above average just one year after posting 14 OAA in 2024.

Reds have an easy fix for their biggest weakness — move Elly De La Cruz to the outfield

If there was ever an offseason to prepare De La Cruz for a new role, this is it. Is there anyone throughout Reds Country who doesn't think that De La Cruz could successfully make the transition from shortstop to center field? Heck, he already tracks balls better than most of the outfielders on the team, and his speed and arm strength would only help him while roaming about the outfield grass at Great American Ball Park.

The Reds could very simply begin to transition De La Cruz to center field, while at the same time move TJ Friedl out to left. The veteran appeared to lose a step this past season, and pushing Friedl out to one of corner outfield spots could help preserve his legs and give Cincinnati an above-average fielder in left. An outfield comprised of Frield, De La Cruz, and Marte would be tantalizing to say the least.

Of course, by moving De La Cruz, you now have an opening on the infield. Who could the Reds turn to at shortstop? Top prospect Edwin Arroyo is now one year removed from his shoulder surgery and his glove is already Major League-ready. Arroyo is widely seen as the best defender in the entire Reds organization, regardless of position.

Arroyo got off to a slow start at Double-A Chattanooga this season, but as the year went along, the 22-year-old began to rediscover his swing. The power was somewhat absent, as evidenced by a .371 slugging percentage, but that's to be expected given the type of injury Arroyo suffered in 2024. The Reds are very hesitant to move prospects up through the farm system quickly, and Arroyo's lack of experience at the upper-level of minor leagues could halt this idea in its tracks.

Hall of Fame sportswriter Hal McCoy of the Dayton Daily News has been calling for the Reds to move De La Cruz off shortstop for quite some time, and even doubled down on his perspective during this week's edition of Ask Hal. Earlier this week, when asked if there were plans to move De La Cruz to the outfield, Reds president Nick Krall said, “As of right now, no.” However, a lot can change between now and spring training.