Reds' 28-year-old outfielder looks like a prime trade candidate

Reds’ 28-year-old outfielder looks like a prime trade candidate originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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The Cincinnati Reds became the first team in the National League Central to fall under .500 on June 6 and are now dead last in the division (32-35).

Sitting 9.5 games out and going 3-7 in their last 10 ballgames, the Reds will likely be sellers at the trade deadline (Aug. 3), especially since their ace Hunter Greene (right elbow surgery) is still not returning until July. 

The Cincinnati Reds have one asset that could be available at the trade deadline 

Among all the assets the Reds have available, the one player who could bring back a decent package is outfielder JJ Bleday. After getting designated for assignment by the Athletics in November, the Reds signed Bleday in December. 

Starting the season in Triple-A, the Reds called up the 28-year-old on April 25 and he hasn’t looked back. In 39 games, Bleday is batting .270 with a .931 OPS, 11 home runs, 29 RBI and has walked 22 times (32 strikeouts) in 148 at-bats. 

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A left-handed power bat that mashes right-handed pitching — Bleday is batting .283 with a 1.019 OPS and nine home runs in 106 at-bats — the former first-round pick (fourth overall by the Miami Marlins, 2019) could provide any team with a solid platoon bat. 

Another enticing thing that could help the Reds trade Bleday is that he’s under contract for another two seasons and is owed $1.4 million this year. 

“Bleday is off to the best start of his five-year career, hitting 11 home runs with 29 RBIs and a .930 OPS in 39 games after spending the first month of the season at Triple-A,” wrote MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand. “The 28-year-old is earning $1.4 million this season and is under club control for two more seasons, and while he could be a key cog in the Reds’ lineup moving forward, he could also be an appealing trade chip if Cincinnati opts to be a seller this summer.”

Less than two months away, the Reds still have a chance to make a run. It isn’t decided yet whether they’ll sell or buy. 

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