The Reds and Nick Krall were busy today! Early this morning the Reds started off the day by signing Free Agent OF JJ Bleday and then a few hours ago made a trade with the Miami Marlins for OF Dane Myers. Both of these guys fit pretty well into the Reds budget and payroll but what all do they bring to the table? Subscribe to our Newsletter by using the popup or the form below!
What Does JJ Bleday Bring to the Reds?
Early this morning the Reds signed JJ Bleday to a 1 year 1.4 million dollar contract with incentives involved. This is a good move for both parties. The Reds who have said that the payroll is roughly the same as last year can afford a cheap move like this and JJ Bleday can use this contract as a prove it deal especially with the incentives involved. JJ Bleday who was a former 4th overall pick back in the 2019 draft has played for both the Marlins and most recently the Athletics. Bleday is good defensively in the OF but Bleday has unfortunately struggled in his time in the majors at the plate. Last season Bleday slashed .212/.294/.404. Obviously these numbers are not that good but hopefully Bleday can be of good use to the Reds against lefties. Against Lefties he batted .324/.370/.500. This could be very helpful to a Reds team that struggled heavily against LHP in 2025. Overall this move could have very good upside for the Reds who are hoping Bleday returns to the player that got him drafted 4th overall.
How Does Dane Myers Help the Reds?
That wasn’t the only move for the Reds today though! The Reds this evening announced a trade with the Marlins that would send OF Ethan O’Donnell to the Marlins for OF Dane Myers. Dane Myers has been with the Marlins for all 3 of his MLB seasons and hasn’t gotten a lot of playing time until this past season in which he showed good promise as a fielder in the OF along with good speed. At the plate Myers slashed .235/.291/.326. Myers did not show much power at the plate but with how the Reds approached hitting in 2025 they must like what they see. Once again Myers has showed very high promise against lefties. In 2025 he batted .286/.359/.419 against LHP. As with Bleday this is not a gamechanger move but one that could help the Reds going into 2026.
The Hope for 2026
Overall these moves help a Reds team that struggled mightily against LHP this past season as well as defensively in the outfield. Both Myers and Bleday can help contribute to those needs. The Reds are hoping for breakout seasons at the plate from both players kind of like what they were hoping to see from Austin Hays last season. Hopefully both of these guys help our Reds get some wins and get back to the postseason this upcoming year!
