Reds' perfect offseason fit emerges as Astros show willingness to shop this player

Shortly after the offseason began, Cincinnati Reds manager Terry Francona laid out some of his top priorities heading into next season. Near the top of the skipper's list was finding ways to give centerfielder TJ Friedl more days off. Perhaps the Houston Astros could provide the Reds with the perfect solution.

According to recent reports from MLB insiders Ken Rosenthal and Katie Woo of The Athletic (subscription required), the Astros are fielding calls on centerfielder Jake Meyers. The Astros are reportedly open to moving Meyers for a controllable major-league starter — something the Reds have an abundance of.

Meyers enjoyed a breakout campaign in 2025, hitting .292/.354/.373 while also posting elite defensive numbers in the outfield. In just over 100 games played last season, Meyers was worth 9 outs above average (OAA). Given the Reds emphasis on defense this past season, this trade certainly has potential.

Astros centerfielder Jake Meyers could be the perfect trade candidate for the Reds

Meyers had been a bit of free-swinger throughout of his career, but last season, drastically cut down on his strikeout rate. In fact, his K-rate, whiff rate, and chase rate were all among the top 30% in Major League Baseball according to Baseball Savant. Meyers is also in Year 2 of his arbitration window and is expected to take home just $3.5 million in 2026. He wouldn't become a free agent until after the 2027 season.

Adding Meyers to the Reds' outfield would allow Francona to push Friedl to left field — a position that better suits his skillset — or platoon them both in center field.

What would the Astros want in return? According to the report, Houston is seeking a starting pitcher with multiple years of team control. While Meyers enjoyed a fine season in 2025, his track record should limit the type of return Cincinnati should be willing to ship back to the Lone Star State.

Prior to last season, Meyers owned a meager .229/.292/.371 slash line, and that should definitely factor into the decision making. While those numbers don't exactly warrant the Reds trading a starter like Nick Lodolo or even Rhett Lowder, perhaps including an MLB-ready pitching prospect like Chase Petty would be enough to get a deal done.

This is a case of win-win. The Reds need outfield help and the Astros need starting pitching. While Cincinnati could look to upgrade the roster through free agency instead, this trade scenario might provide the Reds with the most bang for their buck.