Reds lose several minor leaguers to free agency and watch failed trade acquisition get DFA’d

The Major League Baseball offseason is in full swing, and with it comes a flurry of roster transactions. In the early going, most are minor, but once the dam breaks, fans should expect an avalanche of free agent signings and trades with the impending lockout set to close down business on December 1.

The Reds just saw a flurry of minor leaguers elect free agency this week. Among them were some highly-touted draft picks and a handful of veteran journeymen who spent last season in the minor leagues.

The following 17 Reds' minor leaguers elected free agency earlier this week:

RHP, Darius Vines
2B, Francisco Urbaez
SS, Orlando Arcia
LHP, Anthony Misiewicz
OF, Dominic Fletcher
2B, Ivan Johnson
RHP, Trevor Kuncl
LHP, Ben Werski
2B, Garrett Hampson
RHP, Nestor Lorant
LHP, Steffon Moore
CF, Shane Sasaki
OF, Austin Hendrick
2B, Michael Chavis
RHP, Ryan Garcia
C, Pablo Aliendo
SS, Julio Carreras

Lorant was the Reds' Minor League Pitcher of the Year just two years ago, but spent much of the 2026 season on the injured list. Hendrick was, of course, the Reds' first-round draft pick in 2020, and Johnson made his big-league debut with the club earlier this season.

It's unsurprising to see veterans like Chavis, Arcia, and Hampson elect free agency, though any number of the players listed could return on a new deal this coming winter.

Former Reds' trade acquisition Kyle Nicolas DFA'd by Nationals

Most Reds fans might not remember the team's late-spring trade with the Pittsburgh Pirates that sent former third-round pick Tyler Callihan to the Steel City. In return, Cincinnati bolstered their bullpen with the addition of right-hander Kyle Nicolas. Unfortunately, the trade itself was an utter disaster for the Reds.

Nicolas made a total of just seven appearances in 2026 and posted an unsightly 8.59 ERA with seven punch outs over 7⅓ innings of work. It was the free passes (13) that doomed his performance and eventually led to the Reds' designating him for assignment in late May.

The 27-year-old was plucked off waivers by the Baltimore Orioles and optioned to the minors. But his time in the Orioles organization didn't last long either. He was DFA'd again in June and picked up by the Nats. He spent the rest of the 2026 season with Washington's Triple-A affiliate in Rochester, but is now searching for his fourth franchise in less than a year after being DFA'd yet again.

Callihan has a hot-stretch with the Buccos, but for the most part, had a forgettable season in Pittsburgh. He hit just .211/.283/.389 with three homers and 15 RBI. He spent most of the season in the minors, and is expected to take on a similar role for the Pirates in 2027.

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