TJ Friedl elects free agency and officially ends a Reds' run that exceeded expectations

TJ Friedl elected free agency on Tuesday after the Cincinnati Reds designated him for assignment, ending his time with the organization. The 2026 season was a dramatic collapse for Friedl, who earned $3.8 million in his first arbitration year but posted a .172 batting average with a 43 wRC+ and -0.7 fWAR, the worst numbers of his career. This represented a sharp decline from his 2025 career year when he hit .261 with a 112 wRC+ and led MLB with 11 bunt base hits while helping the Reds reach the postseason. The deterioration appears linked to Friedl abandoning his plate discipline and contact-focused approach in favor of power, which conflicted with his skill set and the team's new hitting philosophy.

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