Reds officially sever ties with outfielder following trade with Braves

Stuart Fairchild is no longer part of the Cincinnati Reds organization. After designating the outfielder for assignment prior to Opening Day, the Reds had a seven-day window to trade or release Fairchild. The Reds were able to find a trade partner and shipped Fairchild to the Atlanta Braves for cash considerations.

Fairchild became expendable after the Reds decided to add both Blake Dunn and Jacob Hurtubise to the Opening Day roster. After learning of an injury to Austin Hays, rather that include Fairchild too, Reds manager Terry Francona opted to keep Spencer Steer on the Opening Day roster despite the fact he played very little during the Cactus League while nursing a bum shoulder.

Fairchild had his fair share of outstanding defensive plays while a member of the Reds. Fairchild took away at least two would-be home runs while patrolling center field for Cincinnati in 2024. But with no minor-league options remaining, Fairchild entered this spring in what could be deemed a make-it or break-it scenario. With a meager .132/.233/.184 slash line this spring, his performance just wasn't good enough to warrant a roster spot.

Reds officially sever ties with Stuart Fairchild following trade with Braves

Given the start to the 2025 season, the Reds may be regretting the fact they decided to part ways with Fairchild. Cincinnati was forced to play Santiago Espinal out of position on Sunday with San Francisco Giants' lefty Robbie Ray on the hill.

With Steer limited and both Hays and Tyler Stephenson on the IL, the Reds are lacking some big right-handed bats. Though Fairchild was little more than a platoon option for Cincinnati, but he had a career .755 OPS against southpaws and played above-average defense in the outfield.

The Reds are hoping to get better production from Dunn in that role this season, though Francona has spoken about the former 15th-round pick being more than just a platoon option. With Fairchild now in Atlanta, the Reds have lost some outfield depth, but both Rece Hinds and Will Benson have gotten off to hot starts with the Louisville Bats this season.

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