BREAKING: Reds Eye Former Braves Star as Brutal Free Agent Market Shakes Things Up

The free agent market has exploded this offseason, and while not every player is securing massive deals like Juan Soto, the surge in spending has left smaller-market teams like the Cincinnati Reds on the sidelines.

Reds President of Baseball Operations Nick Krall may be waiting for prices to drop before making a move, but the fact that a player like Max Kepler can sign a one-year, $10 million deal highlights the tough nature of this market.

If the Reds were truly committed to improving their outfield, fans would have already seen a major contract handed to players like Anthony Santander or Teoscar Hernández. Unfortunately, Reds fans are all too familiar with Krall and the front office dragging their feet and ultimately settling for mid-market signings like Tommy Pham in 2022 or Wil Myers in 2023.

Reds could be forced to pivot toward former Braves’ outfielder Ramón Laureano

With that in mind, the Reds may turn their attention to signing a former Atlanta Braves outfielder. No, not Adam Duvall, but his former teammate, Ramón Laureano. The one-time Oakland Athletics standout wrapped up his 2024 season with the Braves and is now a free agent.

Laureano faced significant struggles early in the 2024 season. After a rough start with the Cleveland Guardians, where he hit just .143/.265/.229 in 31 games, he was released at the end of May. The Braves then took a chance on Laureano, signing him to a Minor League deal. After his contract was selected in June, Laureano went on to become a valuable contributor for Brian Snitker’s squad.

As the Braves’ part-time right fielder, Ramón Laureano posted a solid .296/.327/.505 slash line with 10 home runs and 29 RBIs in 216 at-bats. Known for his excellent defense, Laureano has earned 13 defensive runs saved (DRS) over the past two seasons, according to Fielding Bible.

In 2024, Laureano thrived against left-handed pitchers, posting a .305/.343/.526 slash line. This makes him a potentially perfect fit to complement Jake Fraley in the Reds’ outfield next season. While Fraley struggled off the field in 2024, he had a strong .467 slugging percentage against right-handed pitchers in 2023. Fraley’s career OPS against righties is over 250 points higher than against lefties, making him an ideal candidate for a platoon role against southpaws.

Though some Reds fans may not favor the idea, high-priced free agents are likely beyond Cincinnati’s budget. Instead of committing long-term dollars, Krall could opt for a short-term solution with Laureano and Fraley, providing a reasonable option for right field without breaking the bank. While not ideal, this might be the Reds’ most feasible path forward.