Spencer Steer in the Spotlight as Reds Consider Trading Utility

Steer’s Numbers and Role on the Field

This season Spencer Steer has compiled a .333/.436/.603 line against left‑handed pitching in just 95 plate appearances, a slash that has caught the eye of contending clubs. Over his career he sits at a 102 OPS+ across more than 2,350 plate appearances, with a slightly below‑average 98 OPS+ and 99 wRC+ in the 2024‑2026 span. Steer walks just over 9 % of the time, strikes out around 21‑22 % and shows solid baserunning, though his defence remains a modest calling card.

Defensively the former first‑base prospect has been thrust into a utility role, moving between 1B, CF, and even infield spots as the Reds shuffle personnel. He was a Gold Glove finalist at 1B in 2025 and has spent recent games in center field, a flexibility that makes him attractive to teams seeking a right‑handed bat who can cover multiple positions.

Contractually Steer is already on a $4 million deal for his first arbitration year, with two more team‑controlled raises slated for 2027 and 2028. Despite those raises, his cumulative WAR since the start of 2024 sits at just 3.4 fWAR and 2.6 bWAR, a reflection of his average offensive output and modest defensive value.

Cincinnati’s Roster Turmoil and Position Competition

The Reds have been dealing players ever since the 2022 rebuild that sent Sonny Gray, Luis Castillo, Jesse Winker and others packing. That same year Tyler Mahle was moved to Minnesota in a deal that also brought in Christian Encarnacion‑Strand and Spencer Steer, who made his MLB debut that season. Since then the club has added Eugenio Suarez, Ke’Bryan Hayes, and Sal Stewart, squeezing Steer out of his natural first‑base slot.

Injuries to Blake Dunn and Dane Myers, combined with a slump from TJ Friedl and Noelvi Marte’s struggles, have opened enough outfield and infield time for Steer to log regular at‑bats. The resulting utility usage is a textbook example of a player being “settled into who he is” rather than being developed into a star.

Trade Interest Grows Across the League

Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported earlier this week that several clubs are watching Steer as a potential trade target, attracted by his right‑handed bat and positional versatility. An MLB.com breakdown of 2026 trade‑deadline needs highlights the Red Sox, Guardians, Mariners, Tigers, Marlins and Phillies as teams explicitly seeking a right‑handed bat, and Steer’s ability to play multiple infield and outfield spots fits those gaps.

His work against lefties stands out more than his overall numbers, making him a niche upgrade for clubs that need depth rather than a cornerstone. The Reds, however, remain convinced that he is “too important to the team,” a line that underscores how limited the roster’s depth truly is.

What a Trade Could Mean for the Reds

Moving Steer would free roughly $6 million in payroll for the next season, money that could be redirected toward upgrades in the rotation or free‑agent hitting. The club would have to shed other contracts first—Hayes, Marte, CES, Rece Hinds and even TJ Friedl—to make room for a genuine spending spree this winter.

If Cincinnati truly commits to a rebuilding reset, dealing Steer aligns with a model of flipping aging, average contributors for younger assets. The front office’s history suggests they will continue to move players who become too expensive before their prime, and Steer’s age (29 in December) fits that pattern.

Looking Ahead: Is This a Move Worth Making?

From a pure analytics standpoint Steer’s 3.4 fWAR and 2.6 bWAR since 2024 do not justify a high‑priced roster spot, especially when the Reds sit near the bottom of the division. His contract, two years of team control, and the squad’s broader lack of talent make him a logical trade candidate.

Even if he remains, the Reds will likely keep using him as a super‑utility piece, a role that helps mask the holes elsewhere on the roster. Whether that strategy turns into a competitive window in 2027 or continues as a stop‑gap remains to be seen, but the buzz around Steer suggests the market may force Cincinnati’s hand sooner rather than later.