Reds might be nearing a tough (but smart) decision on TJ Friedl

As expected, TJ Friedl has been a bedrock of the Cincinnati Reds in the early going of the 2026 season, batting leadoff in every contest while playing center field five times in six games.

However, in the series finale against the Boston Red Sox, Friedl slid over to left field to make for Dane Myers in center. Myers isn't regarded as an elite outfield defender, but he has good speed and a terrific arm. In limited action in center field last season, he was worth 3 outs above average (OAA) and 3 defensive runs saved (DRS). It's starting to appear as a matter of "when", not "if", the Reds move Friedl to left field permanently.

TJ Friedl would benefit from a move to left field, but the Reds might not

The answer isn't quite as simple as moving Myers to center field on a full-time basis. Though his scorching hot bat has carried over from spring training, he's historically been terrible against right-handed pitchers (54 wRC+). Barring a full-fledged breakout, he's best reserved for a platoon role where he can pinch hit and step into center field late in games.

Friedl could continue to start in center and slide over late in games, but that's also not a perfect solution when you only get four bench spots. Left field is clearly his future defensive home, as his once-above-average sprint speed has cratered in recent years, bottoming out at 26.4 feet/second this season (27 is the MLB average). That's why his OAA numbers (based primarily on range) have also started to slip.

The problem is that moving the 30-year-old puts the Reds in an uncomfortable position with their bench. Spencer Steer has more or less taken over as the starting left fielder this year, and though his glove is best at first base, Terry Francona isn't going to want to take Sal Stewart's bat out of the starting lineup. The Reds could, in turn, move Stewart to designated hitter and have Eugenio Suárez take over at third base, but then you'd be losing out on the defensive wizardry Ke'Bryan Hayes provides.

Moving Friedl to left would also put the team in a situation where one of Myers, Will Benson, or even Noelvi Marte is starting on an everyday basis in center, which isn't ideal either. In truth, the team may simply be testing the waters for the future right now, when Friedl can take over one of the outfield corners while handing the center field reins to a free agent or top prospect like Héctor Rodríguez.