It’s not an All-Star slugger. Or even Luis Robert Jr.
But the Cincinnati Reds quest to add hitting this winter began in earnest when they added two outfielders over the holiday weekend, inking a one-year deal with lefty hitting JJ Bleday for $1.4 million plus incentives and trading for Dane Myers from the Miami Marlins.
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The Reds announced the Bleday deal Saturday afternoon, Dec. 27, then followed the signing by acquiring Myers from the Miami Marlins in exchange for outfield prospect Ethan O’Donnell later in the day.
Outfielder J.J. Bleday hit .212 in 2025 with 17 doubles and 14 homers in 98 games for the Athletics. He was the fourth overall pick in the 2019 MLB draft.
To clear a spot on their 40-man roster for Bleday, the Reds designated for assignment reliever Keegan Thompson, who was signed as a $1.4 million free agent in November.
To add Myers, the Reds designated for assignment right-handed pitcher Lyon Richardson.
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The Bleday trade offers at least a platoon option and potential upside play for the Reds, who continue to look for reliable pop for the middle of the lineup (including staying in contact with the White Sox on a possible Robert trade).
Myers, a right-handed hitter, can play all three outfield positions.
Bleday, 28, was drafted fourth overall by the Marlins in 2019 and traded to the Athletics for A.J. Puk after his 2022 debut season.
Bleday’s a career .215 hitter with a 23% strikeout rate (26.5% in 2025) but hit 20 and 14 home runs the past two seasons in 572 and 307 at-bats, respectively.
He played right field in two of the three games during the A’s sweep of the Reds in September, going hitless with four strikeouts.
Miami’s Dane Myers can’t pull in a line drive during the Marlins game against the Reds at Great American Ball Park last July 9.
On the other hand, he’s also 9-for-31 (.290) with two home runs and three doubles in seven career games at Great American Ball Park.
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He was non-tendered by the A’s this winter when he became eligible for arbitration for the first time.
Bleday has played mostly center field in his career but also has made 92 starts in the corner spots.
Myers, 29, last season batted .235 in 106 games and 333 plate appearances with 10 doubles, six home runs and 18 stolen bases. He also appeared with the Marlins in parts of 2023 and 2024.
Bleday was the fourth big-league free agent signed by the Reds this winter:
RHP Keegan Thompson, $1.3 million, one year
Closer Emilio Pagán, $20 million, two years (split evenly across 2026-27)
LHP Caleb Ferguson, $4.5 million, one year.
OF JJ Bleday, $1.4 million, one year.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Reds sign JJ Bleday to 1-year deal, trade for Dane Myers