Reds get rare shot at affordable power after Rays cut once-dangerous division bat

The Cincinnati Reds need to find some pop this offseason. While there are other needs, the lack of power in the lineup is the biggest impediment to the team taking the next step after 2025's surprising Wild Card berth.

The dream would be Kyle Schwarber, and while it's not likely, there's a creative way to get there. More than likely, the Reds are scouring the trade market for their next big bat, and looking somewhere in the Jo Adell tier, though the Los Angeles Angels outfielder looks less likely. Still, a player of that ilk should be up Cincinnati's alley.

One move, be it for a big-time name or a mid-tier option, likely isn't enough, though. Not for a team that slugged just .391 in 2025, and employs players like Ke'Bryan Hayes who are all glove and no bat. A thumper off the bench would be a nice thing to have, and one the Reds are familiar with from the NL Central wars just became available.

Following his DFA, Christopher Morel could be a perfect source of cheap power for the Reds

One of the many casualties that happens as the non-tender deadline approaches is Christopher Morel, a player who Reds fans have some familiarity with. Morel was the gem of the package that the Chicago Cubs sent out in order to acquire Isaac Paredes from the Tampa Bay Rays back at the 2024 trade deadline, showing he once had some real value.

Morel debuted in 2022 as a 23-year-old, posting a respectable .741 OPS and 16 home runs in 113 games of action. His sophomore year increased his stock dramatically. Though he played just 102 games, Morel clubbed 26 homers while slashing .247/.313/.508. His power-fueled approach gave him a high ceiling, but there was a problem.

Morel's power came with some serious swing and miss. In 2022, he posted a 32.2% strikeout rate, and things didn't improve in 2023 as he recorded a 31% mark.

Things seemed to improve on the K front in 2024, as he cut his rate down to 26% while raising his walk rate to 10%, but his overall quality of contact suffered, and he posted a disappointing .196/.288/.346 line.

This year, Morel's gains in avoiding strikeouts evaporated, posting a career-worst 35.7% mark, while failing to recover most of his offensive value. He hit 11 homers over 305 plate appearances, but posted a subpar .684 OPS.

Morel is still only 26, and though much of his luster has worn off, he could still bring some value. His power is real, and can have merit if he can keep the strikeouts somewhat manageable. He also brings some versatility, with experience at second base, third base, and the outfield, though he isn't a standout defender anywhere.

As a right-handed power bat off the bench, you could do worse than Morel, and being so young, there might still be some untapped potential. He won't be the middle of the order force the club is looking for, but he could be a cost-effective Miguel Andujar replacement, and that has value.