CINCINNATI — The question was simple, even if the answer isn’t: What does the Cincinnati Reds’ outfield look like in 2027?“Ask me again in four days,” one Reds staffer said before Thursday’s series opener against the Pittsburgh Pirates.The Reds are undoubtedly sellers leading up to next week’s trade deadline, but their obvious trade candidates are on expiring contracts, unlikely to bring the return that leads to players who will make an immediate impact with the organization.To bring back the type of player who would be in the mix for next year’s outfield, the Reds would have to trade a player who is more than just a rental, such as outfielder JJ Bleday.Why haven't there been many MLB trades yet?Andy McCulloughBleday, who has two more years of team control after this season, was signed as a free agent after the Athletics non-tendered him following the 2025 season. Although Bleday started the season in Triple A, he quickly earned a call-up to Cincinnati and was the National League Player of the Month in May.Since he was called up, Bleday has started 77 of the Reds’ 81 games, with 69 of those in left field, including Thursday’s 3-2 victory over the Pirates. The last Reds player to start 100 or more games in a season in a corner outfield spot was Nick Castellanos in 2021. Last season, Austin Hays started 57 games in left field and Noelvi Marte had the most starts in right with 48. Other Reds to start in left field this year have been Spencer Steer (26), TJ Friedl (5), Blake Dunn (3), Will Benson (3) and Ivan Johnson (2).In all, the Reds outfielders have produced a minus-3 bWAR, the fifth-worst mark in baseball. Bleday’s 1.2 bWAR is the best among Reds outfielders.All of the Reds’ current outfielders are under team control for next season, but Bleday is the only one who looks as if he could be penciled into the 2027 Opening Day lineup. Thursday’s outfield, in addition to Bleday, consisted of Dane Myers in center and Marte in right field.Of those, Myers profiles as the right-handed half of a center-field platoon. The left-handed center-field platoon was Friedl, but he’s underperformed this season and is a non-tender candidate. Marte was sent down to Triple A when Bleday was called up, and he’s been up and down between Triple A and the big leagues the last two seasons.The Reds’ other best-performing outfielders by bWAR, Dunn and Steer, are injured. Dunn is scheduled to have season-ending elbow surgery next week. Steer is on the injured list, but season-ending wrist surgery is still a possibility.The team’s other outfielders are unproven (Johnson), designated for assignment (Benson, Rece Hinds) or an infielder (Matt McLain).Of the Reds’ top 30 prospects on MLB.com’s recently updated prospect list, eight are outfielders. Of those eight, half are in High A or lower, with two at Triple A: Héctor Rodríguez (No. 3 on MLB’s list) and Carlos Jorge (No. 17).Rodríguez has had an excellent offensive season, hitting .270/.346/.528 on the season with 26 home runs, but questions about his defensive abilities are keeping him at Triple-A Louisville.Jorge, 22, hit .330/.402/.452 in 59 games for Double-A Chattanooga but has hit .238/.281/.357 over 21 games since being promoted to Louisville. The left-handed-hitting Jorge began his career in the middle infield but has primarily played center field the last three seasons.In addition to Bleday’s offensive output — .228/.337/.463 with 18 home runs and 45 RBIs — his defense has improved since the beginning of the season. Even though he’s mostly played left field, he may profile best in right field. He’s started two games in right and moved there once more.In the first game of Tuesday’s doubleheader against the Cleveland Guardians, Bleday made a couple of plays that saved runs in right, including cutting off a ball in right-center and limiting Brayan Rocchio to a sixth-inning single before the next batter grounded into a double play. He also showed off his strong, accurate arm.“They thought he was a much better left fielder; I like getting a look at him in right,” manager Terry Francona said. “Because that might just be fine out there, too.”As the trade deadline approaches and teams inquire about Bleday, the Reds will have to ask if an outfielder in the hand is worth two prospects in the bush.