This sneaky veteran target could solve two Reds problems at once

Mere weeks away from the start of organized team activities and less than a month out from spring training, the Cincinnati Reds still have a few glaring roster holes to sort out. None is more prevalent that the longstanding need for more power somewhere in the lineup.

Unfortunately, there's no Kyle Schwarber still lingering on the market. At best, a reunion with Eugenio Suarez could juice up the middle of the lineup, but that feels unlikely in the wake of Sal Stewart's renewed focus on playing the infield corners.

So, why not add a power-hitting option who can play first, has experience in the NL Central, can be had for cheap, and would serve as an excellent mentor to a young ball club? In other words, why shouldn't the Reds sign Paul Goldschmidt?

Paul Goldschmidt isn't perfect fit on Reds roster, but he's a veteran who fits the budget

Goldschmidt, 38, is on the final leg of his career. He's made seven All-Star apearances across 15 seasons in the league, and it stands to reason that he'd want to play for a contender after failing to advance beyond the LCS round at any point.

And it's not like he's just a veteran mentor looking to go through the motions on one final contract. The former MVP has always crushed left-handed pitchers. Even during a modest season with the New York Yankees in 2025 (.274/.328/.403, 103 wRC+), the longtime Cardinals slugger hit southpaws to the tune of a .336/.411/.570 (169 wRC+) batting line.

The primary issue with Goldschmidt is that, like most of the Reds' lineup, he bats right-handed. Only TJ Friedl and whoever wins the starting left field job between Tyler Callihan, JJ Bleday, and Will Benson will hit from the other side; factor in Elly De La Cruz's switch-hitting ability, and Terry Francona will be lucky to field even four left-handed batters on any given night against a righty starter.

Plus, the veteran first baseman's prowess against southpaws is a somewhat superfluous skill now that Dane Myers is on the roster — the former Marlins outfielder owns a career slash line of .297/.360/.456 against lefties with a 126 wRC+.

That said, perhaps the most attractive thing about Goldschmidt is that he'll come cheap. He's been frozen out of the market following a middling campaign in New York, and most projections figure him to earn less than half of the $12.5 million salary he brought home last year.

At this late stage of the offseason, options are few and far between. The Reds can't waltz into spring training with their offense as is, but unless they're willing to pony up on a big contract for Suarez, they'll find it exceedingly difficult to add anyone capable of supplying the lineup with power in a pinch.

At a favorable price tag and with 15 years of MLB experience on his side, the front office could do a lot worse than add Goldschmidt on a one-year deal, hoping to extract a little more magic out of his bat.