The Cincinnati Reds have agreed to a one-year, $1.4 million deal with free agent outfielder J.J. Bleday, the team announced on Saturday. The 28-year-old left-handed hitter brings versatility to the outfield after a down year with the Oakland Athletics. This move aims to bolster the Reds' lineup amid ongoing offseason adjustments.
Cincinnati, Ohio -- The Cincinnati Reds addressed their outfield needs by signing former Oakland Athletics outfielder J.J. Bleday to a one-year contract worth $1.4 million, as announced on Saturday. Bleday, a 28-year-old left-handed batter capable of playing all three outfield positions, joins the Reds following his designation for assignment by the Athletics on November 18 and subsequent non-tender on November 21.
Bleday's 2025 season with the Athletics was challenging, as he batted .212 with a .698 OPS, 14 home runs, and 39 RBIs over 98 games. He was optioned to Triple-A twice during the year, and his defense regressed, posting negative Outs Above Average across all outfield spots, particularly in center field at -5 OAA. However, positives remained in his plate discipline, with a walk rate above 10% for the fourth straight season and a 24.9% chase rate on pitches outside the strike zone, which ranked above average. His arm strength also stood out, in the 81st percentile of MLB outfielders.
This signing follows Bleday's career-high performance in 2024, when he hit .243 with a .761 OPS, 20 home runs, 60 RBIs, and 43 doubles in 159 games, contributing 2.1 WAR. Originally selected fourth overall by the Miami Marlins in the 2019 MLB Draft out of Vanderbilt, Bleday debuted in 2022 but struggled initially with a .167 average and .586 OPS in 238 plate appearances. Traded to the Athletics before the 2023 season for left-hander A.J. Puk, he posted a .195 average and .666 OPS that year before his 2024 breakout.
The Reds, seeking more offense behind shortstop Elly De La Cruz, pursued superstar free agent Kyle Schwarber but were unsuccessful. Instead, they focused on bullpen reinforcements, re-signing closer Emilio Pagán to a two-year, $20 million deal, lefty Caleb Ferguson to a one-year, $4.5 million contract, and right-hander Keegan Thompson to a one-year, $1.3 million agreement. To accommodate Bleday on the 40-man roster, the Reds designated Thompson for assignment. Cincinnati's 2026 payroll remains around $112 million, unchanged from the 2025 Opening Day figure, leaving uncertainty about further offensive additions in December.
