MLB Trade News: Padres & Reds Swing Trade for 6-Year Veteran

He didn't really get a chance to prove himself in San Diego. After just 10 plate appearances, six-year major league veteran outfielder & first baseman Connor Joe has been shipped to the Cincinnati Reds, and has been plunked right into the lineup for Cinci on Saturday.

The #Reds today acquired IF/OF Connor Joe from the Padres in exchange for RHP Andrew Moore and cash considerations. In a corresponding move, IF/OF Tyler Callihan was transferred to the 60-day injured list. pic.twitter.com/81Csqts0u0
— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) May 10, 2025

Right-hander Andrew Moore and cash considerations are sent to San Diego in return. The trade was announced 10 minutes after Friday's game began while the Padres were playing Joe's former team, the Colorado Rockies.

The Reds placed outfielder Jake Fraley on the injured list on Saturday with left-calf tenderness, allowing them to activate Joe. He's batting 9th and playing left field against the Houston Astros Saturday night.

The 32-year-old Joe had been at Triple-A El Paso, where he was batting .267 in 16 games. He had more walks (13) than strikeouts (10), which bodes well for a successful return to the majors. Joe only got into seven games for the Padres, a disappointment for the San Diego kid.

He had signed with his hometown team for $1 million this past offseason, but lost out on a platoon job in the outfield during Spring Training, when Brandon Lockridge won the job over him.

Joe has appeared in 445 games in six major league seasons, with the San Francisco Giants, Colorado Rockies, Pittsburgh Pirates, and the Padres. Joe is a career .241 hitter with 35 home runs and 141 RBIs. He's been an above-average hitter in a couple of seasons, with a 116 OPS+ in 2021 with the Rockies, and a 105 OPS+ with the Pirates in 2023.

He'll immediately get a chance to prove himself in Cincinnati.