The Cincinnati Reds missed out on their top MLB free agency target, Ohio native Kyle Schwarber. After the left-handed slugger re-signed with the Philadelphia Phillies, it left the Reds with no choice but to pivot. Former New York Mets slugger Pete Alonso also came off the market, signing with the Baltimore Orioles. While Cincinnati may have never been truly in the mix on either player, its lineup could use some upgrades.

Who they land on next remains to be seen, but there are a handful of options that could make sense if the Reds are looking for an impact bat who could serve as a designated hitter or spend some time in the field. Here are five potential candidates who project to be within the Reds’ budget:

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1. Paul Goldschmidt

A six-time All-Star, four-time Silver Slugger and the 2022 National League MVP, Goldschmidt has tallied 372 career home runs, 2,190 hits and an .882 OPS across 15 seasons. Of course, his career numbers mean very little at age 38. But even in the later stages of his career, the veteran remains an above average hitter.

Last season, Goldschmidt appeared in 146 games and posted a .274/.328/.403 slash line with 10 home runs, 45 RBIs and 76 runs scored.

2. Ryan O’Hearn

A 32-year-old free agent, O’Hearn is a left-handed power bat who can platoon at first base, DH or even play a little corner outfield. His career OPS sits at .743 with an OPS+ of 105, but last year was a breakout campaign. In 2025, O’Hearn boasted a .281/.366/.437 slash line with 21 doubles, 17 home runs and 63 RBIs. He isn’t Schwarber, but he isn’t a bad option either.

3. Josh Bell

Across 10 seasons, Bell owns a .256/.341/.443 career slash line with 225 home runs, 709 RBIs and a .785 OPS. While he has moved around in recent years, Bell continued to show value in 2025, posting a .237/.325/.417 line with 11 homers and 62 RBIs over 533 plate appearances. He may not be in his prime anymore, but as a switch-hitter who can lengthen a lineup, he’s still a viable option for clubs like the Reds seeking veteran offense.

None of these names may overly excite Reds fans, but the team finished 19th in team OPS last season. While Schwarber would have been huge, it does not take a bat of his caliber to improve this lackluster Reds lineup.