FanSided's Robert Murray reported on Saturday that the Cincinnati Reds signed former Athletics outfielder JJ Bleday.
Bleday was the fourth overall pick in the 2019 MLB Draft by the Miami Marlins and spent the previous three seasons with the Athletics. He was non-tendered by the AL West club in November.
The 2024 season was the best of Bleday's career to date, hitting a personal best 20 home runs with a.243/.324/.437 slash line and a.762 OPS in 259 games with the A's. The left-handed hitter made 98 appearances in 2025, watching his offensive production take a hit. Bleday hit 14 homers but had a 26.5% strikeout rate in 344 plate appearances.
Taking Bleday's place
Bleday can play any of the three outfield spots but is primarily a center fielder. Denzel Clarke's offense is a work in progress, but he's already shown tremendous speed and range at the position.
Clarke should see the bulk of playing time in center field for the A's in 2026.
The A's locked up one of their other outfielders for the next seven years yesterday, signing Tyler Soderstrom to a club record $86 million extension.
Bleday returns to the National League for the first time since 2022, his rookie season with the Marlins.
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