Thursday, October 09

CINCINNATI -- The Reds achieved a long-awaited goal by making the postseason with 83 wins in 2025 in their first year with Terry Francona as their manager. As important as that first step was, there is much work to do in order to win more regular-season games, go deeper in the playoffs and, ultimately, reach the World Series. 

As Cincinnati begins its offseason with sights set on 2026, here are five questions facing the club.

1. Where and how can the Reds add offense?

The Reds ranked in the bottom half of MLB in most offensive categories this year, but among the ones that stood out were 21st in home runs (167), 24th in weighted runs created (92 wRC+) and 28th in hard-hit rate (38.2 percent). They were ninth in strikeouts. Situational hitting was a big weakness, with a 3-12 record in extra-inning games underscoring that issue the most.

"Obviously [with] more frequency of contact, you’ll be able to hit home runs in this ballpark. That’s something we’ve got to improve across the board," president of baseball operations Nick Krall said.

Lacking budgetary room, Krall did not add a big bat last winter but did sign Austin Hays for one year at $5 million. Hays' production was stymied by three trips to the injured list. Miguel Andujar was added at the Trade Deadline and provided results, but he will be a free agent. 

Cincinnati will need to find a hitter, or two, for the middle of the order. Among positions in flux are left field, first base and designated hitter. Whether or not there is enough financial maneuverability will be a factor in the club’s ability to make those additions.

2. Would trading Hunter Greene help bring back a bat?

Greene, a 2024 All-Star and two-time Opening Day starter, is signed through ‘28. The right-hander with triple-digit velocity has shown he can be a dominant force on the mound, but that ability has been stunted by extended stints on the IL in each of his four big league seasons. The injuries the past three seasons were considered relatively minor, including the Grade 1 right groin strain that cost him over two months this season. He's never pitched more than 150 1/3 innings or made more than 26 starts.

Even after a disappointing postseason debut vs. the Dodgers in Game 1 of the National League Wild Card Series, Greene still could be an attractive trade chip in the Reds' pockets. Moving him would free up salary to sign a bat this offseason or bring back a hitter in return, and a change of scenery could benefit him.

This can't be a salary dump for prospects, however. If Greene is traded, Major League talent would have to come back to make it work.

“I don’t want to speculate on anybody that’s going to get traded or not get traded at this point," Krall responded when asked about Greene's trade potential. "Because we haven’t had any conversations with other clubs, I don’t know what the needs are out there. I don’t know what people are available as well.”

3. Is there enough starting pitching?

Wait, wasn't a case just made for Greene to be traded? Well, there's a case not to trade him also. While Greene, Andrew Abbott, Nick Lodolo, Brady Singer and Chase Burns could all come back, three other young starters in Rhett Lowder (right forearm, left oblique), Julian Aguiar (right elbow) and Brandon Williamson (left elbow) missed all of 2025. Their innings -- along with Burns in his second pro season -- would have to be managed while protecting their arm health. Like Greene, Lodolo has never had an injury-free season as well. Zack Littell and swingman Nick Martinez will also be free agents with no guarantees of their returns.

"You can come up short real fast if you start looking to move pitching," general manager Brad Meador said.

4. Will the bullpen need rebuilding?

The Reds’ bullpen really found its groove down the stretch. Closer Emilio Pagán (2.88 ERA, 32 saves) and setup man Tony Santillan (80 appearances) formed a strong back end with several big arms leading up to them. But Pagán and Martinez will be free agents, while Scott Barlow and Brent Suter have club options for 2026. Pagán has expressed interest in returning, but without a known budget for next year, it's unclear if it will happen. 

Graham Ashcraft, Connor Phillips, Zach Maxwell and Luis Mey are among the hard-throwers returning, and all will factor for spots. A former starter prospect, Phillips especially seemed to find a home as a reliever the final weeks of the season. But Krall and Meador have often been successful finding veteran relievers via Minor League contracts and on the waiver wire. They could be pressed into finding replacements, including a new closer.

5. Can the defense be improved?

While there was a statistical improvement from 2024, the Reds still must do a better job defensively. For the second year in a row, shortstop Elly De La Cruz led the Majors in errors (26), and often in crucial moments, there were defensive lapses in making proper cut-off throws or just plays when they had to be made. 

The trade for third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes -- a perennial Gold Glove contender and 2023 winner -- helped the infield. Spencer Steer played first base full time and developed quickly into a superb defender. But despite the solid work of center fielder TJ Friedl, the overall outfield defense ranked poorly in outs above average (-12) and runs prevented (-11).

“We were towards the bottom of the league in defense," Krall said. "We did a good job with defensive efficiency, but our defensive range and everything could be better across the board.”

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