By Ben Gale

July 15, 2026 • 3:04 PM EDT

Updated 12 days ago

It wasn’t that long ago the Cincinnati Reds went full tilt on a rebuild, shipping everyone from Sonny Gray to Luis Castillo out the door and hoping young returns would transform the future. Fast-forward to the 2026 All-Star break and it already seems like this club’s rebuild needs its own reboot. The Reds are rooted in last place, and the players brought in to spark the new era—like Spencer Steer—are starting to look more like movable parts than cornerstone talents.

If you want the snapshot: Steer broke in with serious promise, especially after putting up a rock-solid 2023. But if you dig into the numbers, you see a classic case of expectation versus reality. Over more than 2,350 plate appearances, Steer has posted just a 102 OPS+, meaning he grades out almost exactly league average as a hitter. Broken down further, his OPS+ and wRC+ for the 2024-2026 seasons have hovered around 99, again bang on the league’s middle ground. Simply put, he’s become what he is—an adaptable player who’s solid, but not exceptional, at most things.

For a club like the Reds, that matters a lot more than you’d think. As Steer ages and moves closer to free agency, the cost to keep a player with only average production but versatility on defense starts to add up. He’s already making $4 million in his first year of arbitration, a number fueled mostly by traditional stats like home runs and RBI, not by on-base or slugging prowess. With two more years of team control through 2028, that salary will only climb—yet his on-field value (just 3.4 fWAR and 2.6 bWAR the last two years) suggests he’s replaceable.

Not helping matters, the roster around him remains a mess. Position jumbles and injuries have Steer bouncing all over the diamond—he’s played everywhere from first base (where he was a Gold Glove finalist) to center field this season. But the Reds hardly planned it that way. If recent signings hadn’t scuttled spots for prospects like Sal Stewart or Ke’Bryan Hayes, Steer might have already been on the move. That’s roster construction gone sideways, painting Steer as valuable mostly for his ability to plug holes, not to carry a contending lineup.

Here’s what’s really moving the needle: other teams are watching. Per Yahoo Sports, clubs are circling Steer as a possible trade target, drawn by his premium results against left-handed pitching (.333/.436/.603 in 95 plate appearances) and his ability to fill almost any infield or outfield role. With so many contenders desperate for a right-handed bat, his market value is peaking at just the right moment.

• The Reds are once again in last place, forcing tough roster decisions
• Spencer Steer’s stats have plateaued at league-average levels
• Steer’s arbitration salary will rise for two more years
• Multiple contender teams are looking for right-handed hitting insurance
• The Reds have roster jams, especially at Steer’s best positions
• Potential trade value for Steer is higher now than it may ever be again

The main argument against moving him? It comes down to fear—he’s versatile, he’s under team control a bit longer, maybe he’ll be crucial if the club suddenly clicks into playoff mode. But let’s be honest: if a player whose bat grades out average and glove just below is ‘too valuable to let go,’ you’re probably not close to contention in the first place. With other teams valuing his skills more highly than the Reds realistically can, it’s an easy call to flip him for prospects or payroll flexibility before the window closes.

Spencer Steer’s trade case, in plain English

Steer’s value is clearer to other clubs than it is to Cincinnati. He’s the kind of multi-use, right-handed stick a contender can platoon or play wherever injuries hit. For the Reds, holding on to him means eating a bigger salary and blocking younger, potentially higher-upside options—exactly the trap that triggered this very rebuild cycle. Unless the Reds plan to spend big this offseason (and recent history says don’t count on that), Steer is worth more as a trade chip than as a placeholder clogging the lineup.

Key developments to watch

• If injuries clear elsewhere, Steer becomes a full-time outfielder (raising his showcase value)
• His platoon splits against lefties boost his trade appeal
• Contenders (Red Sox, Guardians, Mariners, Tigers, Marlins, Phillies) all reportedly covet righty bats
• Reds front office remains unpredictable—but has a track record of moving veterans at peak value

Key takeaways for bettors and Reds fans alike

• Steer is an average hitter with standout versatility—traits in demand ahead of the deadline
• His contract situation (rising arbitration) tempts a cash-strapped club to trade sooner rather than later
• The Reds’ long-term plan hinges more on prospects than ‘glue guys’ like Steer
• Watch for trade rumors to heat up as contenders search for matchup bats
• Expect Cincinnati to prioritize youth and payroll relief, not just ‘winning the deal’ on name value
• Steer’s best trade value is likely this July, not next
• Bettors should downgrade Reds’ offensive depth if he’s dealt but see upside in player props for his new team
• This move signals a second wave of rebuilding—not a breakthrough for Cincy

21+ only. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. The content on this site is for entertainment purposes only. We may earn a commission from affiliate links.