Could the Cincinnati Reds Land Slugger Brent Rooker?
The Cincinnati Reds are already making waves this offseason, having traded for right-handed pitcher Brady Singer from the Kansas City Royals in exchange for Jonathan India and minor league outfielder Joey Wiemer. This move bolsters their pitching depth for 2025, but the 2024 season highlighted another pressing need: offensive firepower. Injuries contributed to a lackluster offense, but adding a reliable slugger could transform the lineup. One intriguing target? Oakland Athletics outfielder Brent Rooker.
Rooker’s Meteoric Rise
Brent Rooker’s journey to stardom has been anything but conventional. After making his MLB debut in 2020 at age 25, Rooker struggled to find his footing, hitting just .190 across 74 games between 2021 and 2022. However, 2023 marked a turning point when he joined the Athletics. That season, Rooker smashed 30 home runs with an .817 OPS (127 OPS+), earning an All-Star nod.
His breakout continued in 2024, where he belted 39 home runs and posted a stellar .927 OPS (165 OPS+). Rooker has gone from a replacement-level player to a bona fide middle-of-the-order slugger, proving he can deliver power and production at an elite level.
Is Rooker Available?
Athletics general manager David Forst has publicly stated that the team doesn’t plan to trade Rooker. However, such declarations are often strategic posturing. ESPN’s David Schoenfield speculated that Oakland could entertain offers for Rooker, particularly after his stellar 2024 campaign. As Rooker enters his first year of arbitration in 2025—projected to earn $5.1 million—this could be an opportune moment for the Athletics to “sell high” on their slugger.
Why Rooker Fits Cincinnati’s Needs
The Reds struggled offensively in 2024, with only three players—Elly De La Cruz (25 HR), Spencer Steer (20 HR), and Jeimer Candelario (20 HR)—hitting more than 20 home runs. At times, they relied on TJ Friedl, a solid hitter but not a typical cleanup option, to anchor their lineup.
Adding Rooker, who has demonstrated consistent power and the ability to anchor a lineup, would immediately elevate the Reds’ offense. His three years of team control also align with Cincinnati’s long-term plans, making him an attractive addition to the roster.
What Would It Take to Land Rooker?
Acquiring a player of Rooker’s caliber wouldn’t come cheap. Schoenfield suggests that the Reds may need to part with Rhett Lowder, their 2023 first-round draft pick and a rising star in their pitching rotation.
Lowder fast-tracked through the minor leagues in 2024, starting the season in High-A before reaching Double-A and eventually the big leagues. In his final 13 starts of the year, he posted a jaw-dropping 1.02 ERA over 70.2 innings, with half of those innings coming in the majors. Trading Lowder would be a significant move, but Cincinnati’s depth in young pitching might make it feasible.
Without Lowder, the Reds’ rotation would still include Hunter Greene, Nick Martinez, Brady Singer, and a combination of Andrew Abbott, Nick Lodolo, Graham Ashcraft, and top prospects Chase Petty or Chase Burns. The organization could absorb the loss of Lowder while gaining a much-needed offensive powerhouse in Rooker.
Why Oakland Might Consider the Deal
The Athletics, currently navigating an uncertain future—including potential relocation—could benefit from bolstering their young core. Adding Lowder would provide Oakland with a controllable, high-upside starter to anchor their rotation. Considering their limited ability to attract top free agents, this trade could be a strategic step toward rebuilding.
Final Thoughts
Trading for Brent Rooker would address the Reds’ glaring need for a middle-of-the-order slugger, giving their lineup a significant boost. While parting with a talent like Rhett Lowder is never easy, Cincinnati’s depth in pitching and Rooker’s potential to transform their offense might make the move worthwhile.
For the Athletics, this deal offers a chance to strengthen their rotation with a premium young arm. Both teams would stand to benefit, making this a trade worth exploring.
If the Reds are serious about contending in 2024 and beyond, adding a bat like Rooker’s might be the key to unlocking their full potential. It remains to be seen if Cincinnati will make the bold move, but the possibility is certainly one to watch this offseason.
