3 Landing Spots For Christian Encarnacion-Strand

The Cincinnati Reds pulled off a shocking move this week, DFA'ing Christian Encarnacion-Strand, a former top prospect and starting first baseman in each of the 2024 and '25 Opening Day lineups.

But the Reds' loss will be another team's gain, as they will first look to trade him, and if they can't find a deal, he will go on waivers as part of the DFA process, and is almost surely to be claimed. So one way or another, the power-packed Encarnacion-Strand will be with another team within the week.

"My guess is there are a number of teams that will want to acquire him," said Reds manager Terry Francona.

Let's have a look at three potential landing spots that make sense for CES, who is still just 26.

Colorado Rockies

What better place for a slugging prospect to show his power potential? Sure, the Rockies already have rookie TJ Rumfield off to a rip-roaring start to the season at first base. But CES also plays third, where the Rox could use some help, or even at the DH spot. And when isn't a low-cost, high-upside power bat a great fit in Colorado? The Rockies should certainly be all over this.

Chicago White Sox

Another team deep in the throes of a rebuild, and another club that should be willing to take chances on a low-risk, high-upside player with the kind of power potential that Encarnacion-Strand has. The ChiSox have already gone that route this past offseason, taking a chance on a big slugger who had never seen a pitch in the major leagues before, in Munetaka Murakami, and that has paid off nicely so far. But he's plugged in at first base for the Pale Hose, so as with the Rockies, CES could be tried at third, or at DH. It would certainly be hard for Encarnacion-Strand to do worse than the current DH, Andrew Benintendi (.194, zero homers, one RBI, .477 OPS).

Washington Nationals

Middle infielder Luis Garcia has been shifted from second to first base for 2026 in an experiment by the rebuilding Nationals. Can the 25-year-old regain his hitting stroke while playing a position he was pretty unfamiliar with coming into the season? It's been a defensive challenge for him thus far. Certainly, Encarnacion-Strand has far more potential for the young Nats, both at the plate and at the bag. It could certainly be worth them taking a flyer on a recent top prospect.