The Cincinnati Reds made a trade with the Baltimore Orioles.
The Cincinnati Reds officially moved on from former top prospect Christian Encarnacion-Strand on Monday, a player who once looked like a long-term building block.
After designating him for assignment last week, the Reds have now found him a new home with the Baltimore Orioles while clearing space on their depth chart. It is a move that reflects how far Encarnacion-Strand’s stock has fallen over the past two seasons and how much the Reds’ roster has shifted since his promising debut.
“The #Reds today traded IF Christian Encarnacion-Strand to the Orioles in exchange for cash considerations,” the Reds wrote on X. Baltimore immediately optioned him to Triple-A.
For Cincinnati, the trade closes the book on a player who once appeared destined to become a middle-of-the-order force. The 26-year-old arrived in Cincinnati at the 2022 trade deadline in a deal that sent Tyler Mahle to the Minnesota Twins.
He tore through the minors and debuted in 2023 with the Reds. In 63 games, he mashed 13 home runs and producing a .270 average, .328 on-base percentage and .477 slugging percentage. That early success created real optimism that he could anchor a corner infield spot for years.
But the momentum never held. Encarnacion-Strand struggled early in 2024 before undergoing season-ending wrist surgery in June. His 2025 season was also disappointing, leading to a demotion to the minors.
While he showed flashes at Triple-A, his production was not enough to force his way back into Cincinnati’s plans. Meanwhile, the Reds added Ke’Bryan Hayes at last year’s deadline in a trade with the Pittsburgh Pirates and watched Sal Stewart emerge at first base, pushing Encarnacion-Strand further down the depth chart.
Encarnacion-Strand has also continued to struggle at the MLB-level making this move seem obvious for the Reds. His Triple-A numbers last year included 11 home runs in 62 games, but his .245 average, .310 on-base percentage and .493 slugging percentage were not dominant enough to secure his roster spot.
Baltimore, dealing with a ton of injuries to Adley Rutschman, Ryan Mountcastle and Tyler O’Neill, will take a low‑risk chance on him. With Samuel Basallo catching more regularly, the Orioles have additional DH at‑bats available, and Encarnacion‑Strand still has minor-league options.
For now, he will get regular playing time at Triple-A while the Reds move forward with a clearer picture in the corner infield. Cincinnati gets financial flexibility, and Encarnacion‑Strand gets a fresh start after two difficult seasons.