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JJ Bleday Emerges as Trade Candidate After Early-Season Breakout

His late-April promotion and strong run at the plate have turned him into an affordable, two-years-controlled outfielder who could interest contending clubs.

Overview

  • Bleday began the season in Triple-A and was called up by the Reds on April 25, and he has since produced 11 home runs, 29 RBIs and a .930 OPS in 39 games.
  • He has been especially effective versus right-handed pitching, hitting .283 with a 1.019 OPS and nine homers in 106 at-bats against righties.
  • Bleday is owed $1.4 million this season and remains under Cincinnati control for two more seasons, a combination that increases his appeal to cost-conscious teams.
  • Recent trade-market coverage by MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand on June 12 explicitly listed Bleday among notable players to watch, framing him as a plausible deadline chip if the Reds decide to sell.
  • Cincinnati’s 32-35 start and the absence of ace Hunter Greene could push the club toward seller mode before the Aug. 3 trade deadline, which would put smaller-market clubs such as the Brewers or Guardians and other contenders on alert.