Reds Center Fielder Dane Myers Is the Hard-Playing Piece the 2027 Outfield Needs

Reds fans, the offseason is here, so let's talk about a center fielder who gave this team everything.

Our Take: Dane Myers earned a real spot in 2027. He isn't a star, but he's a hard-playing center fielder who crushes lefties. The front office should build the outfield around him and add a big bat, not replace him.

Per MLB.com, Myers set career highs this season with 117 games, eight home runs, 75 hits and 37 walks while batting .257. His 11 pinch hits were tied for second most in MLB. He also had surgery after the season to clean up the AC joint in his left shoulder and could be ready around the start of Spring Training.

He posted a .777 OPS against lefties, and president of baseball operations Nick Krall noticed. "Dane Myers is a guy that hit really well against lefties," Krall said.

SI's Reds On SI already has Myers batting third and playing center in its projected 2027 Opening Day lineup.

What to watch: How the Reds fill the corners. JJ Bleday is back, and Hector Rodriguez, Carlos Jorge and Noelvi Marte will compete. If they add a real bat, Myers becomes a strength.

Sources: MLB.com, Reds On SI