Reds Sign Outfielder JJ Bleday to One-Year Deal

Cincinnati Reds Sign Outfielder JJ Bleday to One-Year Deal

CINCINNATI - The Cincinnati Reds agreed to terms with outfielder JJ Bleday on a one-year contract Saturday, adding depth to their outfield ahead of the 2026 season.

The 28-year-old Bleday, a former first-round draft pick, brings versatility to the position after spending the past three seasons with the Oakland Athletics. Selected fourth overall by the Miami Marlins in the 2019 MLB Draft out of Vanderbilt University, Bleday debuted with Miami in 2022 before being traded to Oakland in 2023 in exchange for left-handed reliever AJ Puk. He became a free agent last month when the Athletics designated him for assignment and declined to offer a contract for 2026, making him eligible for salary arbitration for the first time.

Bleday's major league career has shown flashes of potential amid inconsistencies. Over four seasons with the Marlins and Athletics, he has batted .215 with 49 home runs and 142 RBIs. He served as Oakland's opening-day center fielder in both 2024 and 2025. In 2024, Bleday enjoyed a career-best year, hitting .243 with 20 home runs and 60 RBIs while posting a .761 on-base-plus-slugging percentage. However, his...