The Cincinnati Reds are quietly building something interesting heading into 2025. Sure, the Chicago Cubs grabbed most of the winter headlines, but Cincinnati’s moves deserve attention.
Coming off their postseason appearance, the Reds kept busy this offseason. They brought back Emilio Pagan and traded for JJ Bleday. But their biggest splash? Getting Eugenio Suarez back on a one-year deal.
Suarez is coming off a monster year where he tied his career high with 49 home runs while hitting .228/.298/.526 and driving in 106 RBIs. Returning to Great American Ball Park should help those numbers even more.
Between Suarez and Elly De La Cruz, there’s plenty for fans to get excited about. But if Cincinnati really wants to compete in the division, another move or two wouldn’t hurt.
A Perfect Trade Target?
Bleacher Report’s Zachary D. Rymer thinks the Reds should target Los Angeles Angels outfielder Jo Adell.
“The Reds are low-key scary, as any team that has Chase Burns as a No. 5 starter is one that could be a problem in October. But if they really want to make a Cinderella run, more offense is needed. To this end, they could hope for 40-plus homers from Adell at Great American Ball Park. And while he isn’t much of a defender in the outfield, there are few places where outfield defense matters less than Cincinnati.”
It’s an intriguing idea. Adell led the Angels offense last season with a career-high 37 home runs. That kind of pop could be exactly what Cincinnati’s lineup needs.
The fit makes sense on multiple levels. Adell could split time between a corner outfield spot and DH, giving the Reds flexibility. Plus, they’d have control over him for two more seasons – valuable for a team trying to build sustained success.
What makes this particularly appealing is Great American Ball Park’s dimensions. If Adell can already hit 37 homers in Anaheim, Cincinnati’s ballpark could push him toward that 40-homer mark Rymer mentioned.
The Reds have young talent like De La Cruz and promising pitching depth. Adding Adell’s power could be the piece that turns their offense from good to genuinely dangerous. Whether they pull the trigger remains to be seen, but it’s exactly the type of move that could separate them from the pack.
