The Reds' team ERA dropped from 12th in MLB (3.86) in 2025 to 28th (4.83) in '26 while leading in walks (668) and finishing fourth in hit-by-pitches (87).
"We had 68 more walks and hit-by-pitches to the next-closest [NL] team," Krall said. "We’ve gotten a lot out of our pitchers over the last few years, but we need to be able to throw a strike 1.”
2. Can enough significant offensive upgrades be made?
As detailed in a story on Tuesday, the Reds' lineup after Elly De La Cruz and Sal Stewart largely struggled with consistency and making contact. The club was last in the Majors in batting average (.229) and on-base percentage (.305) and had the most strikeouts in the National League (1,544).
Krall noted that the club would like to give Francona more options at the bottom end of the roster, whether it's regular or platoon players. The Reds don't usually set a budget until late October or early November. In February, ownership stretched the budget to sign Eugenio Suárez for more power, but Cincinnati didn't fully get the results it sought. The issue is there are multiple places that could use hitting upgrades – third base, outfield and second base, among them.
3. Who will be the catcher?
Tyler Stephenson, who was drafted and developed by the Reds and debuted in 2020, will be a free agent. That leaves the 40-man roster with backup Jose Trevino and the inexperienced Will Banfield. Top prospect Alfredo Duno (MLB Pipeline’s No. 20 overall) still needs more time in the Minors and Krall said he had no plans to rush him to the big leagues.
The club will have to explore the free agent and trade markets for a No. 1 catcher. All roads could potentially lead them back to Stephenson.
