GOODYEAR, Ariz. – On Dec. 27, in the midst of the holiday season, the Reds acquired Dane Myers from the Marlins in a trade for a Minor Leaguer.
Between the timing, the club's signing of free agent outfielder JJ Bleday the same day and its pursuit for an offensive boost at the time, the Myers deal did not draw a lot of attention.
"At a time in the winter when we acquired him, you’re not sure what’s going to happen the rest of the winter," Reds manager Terry Francona said on Sunday. "I know every fan wants the sexy move, I get it. But you also need to protect yourself a little bit and I thought it was a really good [acquisition]."
Here's what Myers could bring for the Reds:
A true backup center fielder who's versatile
Lefty-hitting TJ Friedl is the incumbent center fielder and still the regular going into the season. But if he makes the club out of camp, Myers would give Francona a natural backup center-field option that he lacked in 2025.
Friedl is good vs. lefty pitching, but the right-handed hitting Myers could give him a break vs. a lefty pitcher or just a chance to rest. That was something he didn't get to do often last season while playing 152 games.
Myers also has experience in both corners of the outfield.
“I just came into camp with an open mind," Myers said. "It's a team trying to compete and play late into the postseason. However I can contribute to helping out is what I’m willing to do. Obviously, everybody wants to play every day, but that may not be the case. I’m prepared to take whatever role I’m given.”
Strong defense
A pitcher when he was a sixth-round selection by the Tigers in 2017, Myers was a two-way player for Rice University. His arm remains a calling card, with his arm strength rated by Statcast in the 97th percentile of the league last season. He led the Marlins with seven outfield assists.
Myers' sprint speed was in the 76th percentile, which means he can also cover a lot of ground quickly. Last season for Miami, he had two outs above average (OAA).
On April 9, Myers made a game-ending catch in a Marlins win over the Mets. He ran 81 feet to track Pete Alonso's booming drive to center field before making the catch and crashing face-first into the fence. The expected batting average of the drive, according to Statcast, was .990; Myers was part of the one percent who foiled it.
Among the offseason priorities for the Reds' front office was to improve team defense.
“I always pride myself on playing the game the right way, trying to be a five-tool player. I think defense is an important part of being a complete team," Myers said. "Whatever I can do to help that is my goal.”
Giving up your body to make a catch can have a bad outcome, too. On Sept. 23, while playing right field, Myers suffered a right knee laceration after another encounter with a fence. He was trying to make a catch in Philadelphia when he hit the wall in the wrong spot. It put him on the injured list for the final week of the season.
“There was a concrete spot under the LED lights [of the scoreboard]. I had a pretty nasty gash from it and a bone bruise," said Myers, who missed the rest of what was left of the season. "But I feel good now.”
Hits well vs. lefties
In 2025, the Reds were tied for 25th in MLB with a .653 OPS vs. left-handed pitching, 24th with a .229 average and 29th with 32 home runs. That was even after getting lefty-killer Miguel Andujar at the Trade Deadline from the A's. Andujar departed as a free agent.
Myers is a career. 297 hitter with an .816 OPS over 203 career plate appearances vs. lefty pitchers, vs. .213 with a .549 OPS in 308 plate appearances against righties.
Overall in 2025, Myers batted .235 with a .617 OPS with six homers, 31 RBIs and 18 steals in 106 games for the Marlins. He was on the IL for much of the final month. Before the laceration injury, it was a right oblique strain that had him out from Aug. 31-Sept. 15.
“Knowing I’ve had success and lefties usually match up with my approach and what I’m trying to do at the plate," Myers said about his key to success. "I want to hit righties just as well but I think there are roles to be filled throughout every team. If that’s my role this year, to do damage against lefties, I’ll take advantage of it."