Is it TIME for the Cincinnati Reds to move Matt McLain & TJ Friedl to AAA | Analysis, Breakdown

Greg Kuffner and Cory Phillips discuss what the best options for Mat McLain and TJ Friedl as both players continue their struggles in 2026. Matt McLain and TJ Friedl are both facing critical struggles at the plate, heavily diminishing the Cincinnati Reds' offensive output and raising questions about whether they could be sent down to AAA Louisville. Both players have experienced prolonged slumps, prompting serious discussions about roster adjustments as Cincinnati fights to stay in contention.

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Matt McLain: Battling the Rust
McLain’s performance has been highly concerning since his highly anticipated return from major shoulder surgery. While he still flashes the sharp baseball IQ, defensive versatility, and plus-baserunning that earned him everyday reps, his bat has been severely lagging. He has struggled to consistently catch up to major-league velocity and drive the ball with authority, often looking overmatched in crucial at-bats. The shoulder seems to have impacted his swing mechanics, making him vulnerable to breaking pitches. Because the front office needs offensive consistency to anchor their infield, keeping him in the majors while he struggles to find his rhythm is becoming increasingly difficult to justify.

TJ Friedl: Finding the Spark
Similarly, Friedl has experienced an alarming dip in his offensive metrics. Usually a reliable catalyst at the top of the order who posts a solid on-base percentage, Friedl has seen his contact rates and OBP plummet. His struggles at the plate have become glaringly obvious, as he is failing to get on base at a clip expected from a modern leadoff hitter. When his batting average dips into concerning territory, his overall value drops significantly, forcing manager Terry Francona to shuffle the lineup.

Potential for a Triple-A Louisville Demotion
While both players have strong track records at the MLB level, their continued inability to snap out of their respective slumps makes a stint with the Triple-A Louisville Bats a very real possibility.

The Case for Minor League Time
Sending either player down to AAA Louisville would allow them to see live pitching in a lower-stakes environment, rebuild their confidence, and tweak their mechanics without costing the big-league club victories.

Organizational Depth
The Reds boast a wave of highly touted young prospects in the system who are hungry for major league reps. If McLain or Friedl continue to drag down overall Reds offensive production, the front office may be forced to initiate a "reset" for them in Triple-A to evaluate alternative bats.

Ultimately, both players are running out of runway. If they cannot string together productive stretches of at-bats soon, a brief assignment in Triple-A could be the necessary prescription to get them right.