Cincinnati must get creative to find offensive help after the hometown slugger chose to stay with Philadelphia.
The Cincinnati Reds made a serious push for Kyle Schwarber, but it wasn't enough to bring the Middletown, Ohio native home.
After the slugger chose to return to the Philadelphia Phillies on a five-year, $150 million deal, the Reds are left searching for an alternative way to add punch to a lineup that fell short in 2025.
Cincinnati went 83-79 last season and earned a Wild Card berth, marking their first playoff appearance in a non-shortened season since 2013.
It was a big step forward under manager Terry Francona, but the quick exit via a sweep at the hands of the Los Angeles Dodgers showed that the offense needs help.
The Offense Must Improve
The Reds ranked 21st in home runs and 19th in OPS during the 2025 campaign despite playing in one of the most hitter-friendly ballparks in the league.
Star shortstop Elly De La Cruz led the team with just 22 home runs while slashing .264/.336/.440, playing all 162 games for the first time in his young career.
Cincinnati needs someone who can protect De La Cruz in the middle of the order and force pitchers to throw him more strikes.
"We've got to improve both aspects of our position players," president of baseball operations Nick Krall told MLB.com earlier this fall.
The problem is that the Reds reportedly don't plan to chase other expensive free agents after falling short on Schwarber.
Their offer was said to be around five years and $125 million, about $25 million less than what the Phillies and Orioles were willing to pay.
Could a Trade Be the Answer?
With the free agent route looking less likely, Cincinnati may need to dip into their collection of controllable starting pitchers to land the impact bat they so desperately need.
The good news is that the Reds have one of the deepest rotations in baseball, led by ace Hunter Greene, who posted a 2.76 ERA with 132 strikeouts in 107.2 innings in 2025.
Greene isn't going anywhere according to the front office, with Krall saying that trading the flamethrowing right-hander is "not on the table" right now.
However, the Reds have plenty of other arms that could fetch a quality return.
Brady Singer went 14-12 with a 4.03 ERA in 32 starts and 169.2 innings, and he's entering his final year of arbitration, making him the most logical trade candidate if Cincinnati wants to move a starter.
The rotation also includes Andrew Abbott, Nick Lodolo, Chase Burns, and Rhett Lowder, giving the Reds the depth to part with one or two arms without hurting their chances to compete.
Lodolo in particular could bring back a solid return after a strong 2025 season, though his injury history remains a concern for potential trade partners.
Who Should the Reds Target?
If Cincinnati wants to go the trade route, one name that keeps popping up is Boston Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran.
The left-handed hitter slashed .256/.332/.442 with 16 homers and 84 RBIs in 2025 while adding elite speed on the bases.
Duran has three years of team control remaining and would give the Reds exactly what they need: a dynamic bat who can create havoc alongside De La Cruz at the top of the lineup.
The Red Sox have a crowded outfield with Roman Anthony breaking out and Wilyer Abreu and Ceddanne Rafaela also needing playing time.
Reports suggest Boston would want a quality starting pitcher in return for Duran, which is something the Reds can offer without gutting their rotation.
On the free agent side, if the Reds are willing to spend at a more modest level, players like Ryan O'Hearn (coming off a career year with 17 homers and an All-Star nod) or a reunion with Miguel Andujar (who hit .359 in 34 games after being acquired at the deadline) could provide some help without breaking the bank.
What's Next for Cincinnati?
The Reds have a talented young core in place with De La Cruz, Greene, and a rotation full of promising arms.
They proved they can win close games and make the playoffs, but taking the next step requires more firepower in the lineup.
Whether it comes through a blockbuster trade involving one of their starters or a more creative solution, the front office has to find a way to add offense before Spring Training opens in February.
Missing out on Schwarber stings, but it doesn't have to define their offseason.
The path to improving might just look different than originally planned.