The Cincinnati Reds have made a strategic move by acquiring outfielder Connor Joe from the San Diego Padres in exchange for minor league reliever Andrew Moore and cash considerations. This acquisition comes as the Reds look to bolster their outfield depth, especially with starting right fielder Jake Fraley sidelined due to calf soreness.
Joe, who hails from San Diego and attended the University of San Diego, initially signed a $1 million contract with the Padres during the offseason, with the expectation that he would be a key part of a left field platoon. However, after struggling with limited playing time—posting no hits in his first nine at-bats and being optioned back to Triple-A—Joe has shown some promise in the minors with the El Paso Chihuahuas, posting a .267 batting average and showcasing his speed with four stolen bases.
In Cincinnati, Joe could see more consistent playing time due to the team’s current situation. With both Fraley and Gavin Lux, who are left-handed hitters, in the lineup, Joe adds a right-handed option that the Reds find favorable against left-handed pitching. Historically, Joe has performed well against lefties, boasting a .251/.353/.418 slash line in 363 plate appearances in that scenario during his time with the Pirates.
To make room for Joe on the 40-man roster, the Reds transferred Tyler Callihan to the 60-day injured list after he broke his left arm in a collision last week. Callihan is expected to miss a significant amount of time following his surgery.
On the other side, Andrew Moore, who the Reds sent to the Padres, is a young 25-year-old reliever drafted by the Mariners in 2021. He has shown a mix of high strikeout potential but also struggles with walks, an area that needs improvement if he is to succeed at higher levels of competition. Despite this, he was ranked as one of the Reds’ top prospects by some analysts.
With this trade, both teams are evidently looking to adjust their rosters to better fit their current needs, and Reds fans will hope that Joe can thrive in his new environment and help solidify their outfield. This acquisition highlights the ongoing commitment of the Reds to build a competitive team while also showcasing their interest in young talent.