Reds outfield shakeup could cost Noelvi Marte key at-bats

The outfield continues to be a question mark for the Cincinnati Reds, and Terry Francona’s current solution may sacrifice a potent offensive weapon in the name of defense. This spring, Francona has been penciling TJ Friedl in at left and Dane Myers at center. With Spencer Steer and JJ Bleday on the roster, Noelvi Marte may find himself fighting for playing time.

The Reds ranked last in outfield defensive runs saved in 2025. Marte wasn’t exactly a liability when he moved to the outfield halfway through the season. His catch percentage was only 2% below expected, and he has been continuing his work in the offseason.

Still, if the Reds want to maximize defensive efficiency while exploring platoons, Marte’s struggles against left-handed pitching and his recent position change may not play in his favor.

Reds outfielder Noelvi Marte might be the odd man out

Against left-handed pitching, Steer is a superior choice in right. He has a career OPS of .797 against southpaws, whereas Marte’s OPS against lefties is just .595. Only two of Marte’s 21 career homers have come off left-handers. Steer, though, is defensively much better at first base as his status as a Gold Glove finalist in 2025 indicates. But that, then, would shift Sal Stewart to the DH role, having a cascading effect on the lineup as a whole.

Marte has his doubters in right field. ESPN called into question the Reds’ choice to not seek a defensive replacement in corner outfield, and Marte is more than capable of rising to the challenge.

The matchup against lefties, though, is a more glaring flaw in Marte’s abilities. He’s faced lefty pitching his entire career. Now is the time to adjust if he hopes to avoid the platoon fate of a Rob Refsnyder-esque player.

If Marte can focus his energy on balance at the plate as much as prowess in the outfield, he will be in better standing within the Reds’ organization. It’s unlikely that he’ll move back to third given Ke’Bryan Hayes’ long-term contract, and Eugenio Suarez will man most of the DH positions. In order to merit playing time every day, Marte will need to provide defense as well as hitting, especially against lefties.