The Cincinnati Reds season came to an end on Wednesday night in Los Angeles. The Reds had chances and could not come through with them, while the Dodgers seemed to capitalize on plenty of their opportunities given to them as they pulled out an 8-4 win to sweep the series and move on in the playoffs.
| Final | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati Reds (0-2) | 4 | 6 | 1 |
| Los Angeles Dodgers (2-0) | 8 | 13 | 3 |
| W: Yamamoto L: Littell | |||
| Statcast | Box Score | Game Thread | |||
On a day when the previous three games all saw the team who lost game one prevail in game two, Cincinnati was able to apply early pressure on Los Angeles with the help from the Dodgers. Spencer Steer got a 1st inning rally started when he was hit by a pitch. Gavin Lux hit a weak grounder to second base that led to a force out. Austin Hays then hit a looping fly down the right field line, but Enrique Hernandez had it clank off of his glove and then roll into foul territory that allowed Lux to get to third and Hays to second base. That brought Sal Stewart to the plate and he hit the ball just hard enough and at just the right angle to get his chopping grounder by a diving first baseman and into right field for a 2-run single to give the Reds the lead.
Zack Littell got Shohei Ohtani to ground out to lead off the bottom of the 1st, but then saw Mookie Betts double into left field. He would strand him there by striking out Freddie Freeman and then getting a fly out to end the inning.
The Dodgers would get things rolling in the 3rd inning when Ben Rortvedt doubled to start the inning. He would come around to score on a 1-out single by Mookie Betts that cut into the Reds lead. Matt McLain may have saved a run on a diving stop on a grounder that he was able to turn into an out on the next play. Littell would then get Teoscar Hernandez to ground out and end the frame and hold onto the lead.
In the 4th inning the Los Angeles offense got right back to it. Max Muncy led off with a single. He would then score on a 1-out double by Enrique Hernandez to tie the game up. Miguel Rojas then blooped a single into right field to plate the go-ahead run. That ended the day for Littell and saw Nick Lodolo enter the game from the bullpen. He’d give up a bunt single before getting fly outs from Shohei Ohtani and Mookie Betts to strand both runners and end the Dodgers rally.
The top of the 6th inning saw the Reds load the bases with no outs thanks to three straight singles. Austin Hays hit a soft liner to shortstop that Mookie Betts fielded on one bounce and threw home for a force out. Yoshinobu Yamamoto then struck out Sal Stewart and Elly De La Cruz as Cincinnati failed to produce a run in the inning and the Dodgers held onto their 1-run lead.
Nick Martinez took over for Nick Lodolo when the bottom of the 6th inning began. The Dodgers got a leadoff single when a weak grounder hit the third base bag as Ke’Bryan Hayes waited and hoped the ball would roll foul. Miguel Rojas then hit a hard grounder down the line but Sal Stewart made an impressive diving stop on it and turned it into an out. The next play was another hard grounder to Stewart at first, but this time he couldn’t complete the play as he threw the ball by a covering Martinez that put runners on the corners. Shohei Ohtani then singled into right to extend the Los Angeles lead to 4-2. Two pitches later Mookie Betts doubled into left field to bring in another run.
That led to a mound visit by pitching coach Derek Johnson. While we don’t know what was discussed, the plan itself involved intentionally walking Freddie Freeman to load the bases to face Teoscar Hernandez in order to get a righty-on-righty matchup. He would double on the first pitch he saw to drive in two runs and make it 7-2.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto returned to the mound in the 7th as Dave Roberts wanted to avoid using his bullpen even with a big lead. After he got a groundout to begin the inning he would sandwich walks around a strikeout to put two runners on for Cincinnati. The Dodgers then went to the bullpen to bring in Blake Treinen and he needed just two pitches to get a groundout to end the inning.
Tony Santillan recorded the final two outs of the 6th and then returned to the mound in the 7th. He’d give up a single to start the inning, intentionally walk Shohei Ohtani with one out, then give up an RBI double to Mookie Betts as the Dodgers extended their lead to 8-2. Chase Burns then entered the game and got back-to-back groundouts to strand runners on second and third.
Cincinnati would rally in the 8th inning. Gavin Lux would single and Austin Hays followed with a walk. Sal Stewart then singled into right field to bring in a run. Elly De La Cruz then followed up with a walk to load the bases. Tyler Stephenson hit a sacrifice fly to plate the Reds second run of the inning and pull the team into slam range.
Will Benson stepped to the plate and after Emmet Sheehan almost hit him with a pitch, Dave Roberts walked to the mound and pulled him in the middle of the at-bat to bring in lefty Alex Vesia. Terry Francona countered by sending Miguel Andujar to the plate for Benson, but he would strike out. Matt McLain then walked to load the bases once again and turn the lineup over to bring TJ Friedl to the plate. A 7-pitch battle ended with Friedl taking a slider on the outside corner for strike three.
Chase Burns kept the Dodgers off the board in the 8th, sending the game to the final inning unless the Reds could extend the game. The Dodgers sent Roki Sasaki to the mound and he struck out the first two batters. Austin Hays popped up in foul territory on the second pitch he saw, but catcher Ben Rortvedt dropped it and kept the game alive. It didn’t remain that way for long as Hays hit a soft line drive to Mookie Betts to end the game and in the process the Cincinnati Reds 2025 season.
Key Moment of the Game
Was it when the Reds had the bases loaded and no outs and couldn’t score?
Was it when Nick Lodolo had recorded five outs on 14 pitches and was pulled from the game only to see Nick Martinez come in and give up four runs before he was pulled from the game?
Maybe it was leaving Zack Littell in for the 4th inning where he gave up two runs before then deciding to go to the bullpen?
Notes Worth Noting
The Reds went 3-10 with runners in scoring position. The Dodgers went 6-18.
Cincinnati didn’t have a single extra-base hit in the game. The Dodgers had five.
The Reds had two players with multi-hit games (Gavin Lux and Sal Stewart each had two hits). Los Angeles had four players with multi-hit games, including a 4-hit day from Mookie Betts who also accounted for three doubles and three runs batted in.
Reds pitchers intentionally walked as many hitters in the game as they had strikeouts – three. The Dodgers pitchers combined for 13 strikeouts in the game.
The loss was the 8th in a row in the playoffs for the Reds organization. With the series loss it extends the longest non-advancement in the playoffs drought in North American professional spots with Cincinnati still looking at 1995 when the Reds moved on beyond the first round. It is the longest losing streak in franchise history during the playoffs.
Since 2013 the Dodgers have now won 66 playoff games. The Reds have won zero.
As a non-game related note – just wanted to say thanks to everyone for stopping by during the season and by-and-overwhelmingly-large conducting yourselves very well in the comments section. Our coverage won’t stop here at Redleg Nation because the season is over, so we hope you don’t stop coming by each day to see what we’re writing about, discussing, breaking down, covering. We’ve got plenty of offseason plans. We just weren’t hoping to start them in the first week of October.
Up Next for the Cincinnati Reds
The offseason where they can hopefully improve this ball club.
Thanks for the coverage all season Doug. Hopefully we’ll have a very active offseason with lots to talk about.
Doug works his butt off and it’s super appreciated. To everyone else out there, peace, love and health during the offseason! Go Reds!
Thanks Doug for all your time and effort. Thanks to all of our Redleg fans for making this summer memorable in following the reds
Thank you Doug for all you do. This Buds for you.
Agreed! I have been on RLN for several years, even though I haven’t been nearly as active the last handful of seasons. Doug does a great job with the site and the contributing writers are all quite good. This is one of the best baseball blogs out there and it is certainly the best Reds baseball blog around. Thanks Doug and RLN team!
Honest grades on how Tito managed these 2 games? From lineups to in game moves…
D- in my book!
I pretty much agree @Brian 1 except I”d give Tito an F for the Playoffs and a D- for the regular season. He’s no “first year turnaround wonder” like Lou Pinella was.
Fair grades, in my eyes.
Well, Lou had more to work with.
I know one thing. Lou could get a guy home from third with nobody out. The Reds had to set an MLB record for stranding guys at third with nobody out. #statoftheday Tito is a great players manager but he made mistakes in this one. Oh well. Good year. Its next year or bust for this team. Need a big time OF bat.
Yes, Lou was a good hitter in his day: he would likely have been good at advancing runners As a manager with the Reds he had good players, so they’d be fairly likely to bring a guy home from third. As a manager, though, he had a Marlins team that lost nearly 100 games. Getting guys in from third might have been a frequent problem.
Lineups were absolutely fine. He did little to nothing wrong. They’ve won games against good teams all year scoring 5 and 4 runs. That’s what their game is.
Hunter and the rest of the pitching staff did not have a great series. The players play, not Tito.
Tito gets an A. Stop blaming the manager for not winning games. Silly.
+100000000
+4,256
nice number!
Such an odd number doofus 😉
Nicely done
The group of Yes men I see. LOL. Tito was horrible. No excuse to not have Stewart in the 1st game. No excuse to not have played him every game since he was called up. No excuse to not have Andujar in the game last night. Why was Lodolo pulled so quickly. Did he need more offseason rest? For that matter, why in the world did he pitch in the last game of the season, thus keeping him from starting last night. Absolutely NO reason to have done that. Why is it the running game on this team completely died when Tito came on board. All I can say is be careful what you wish for. Bell was not a good manager, but Tito has not been that good this year either.
Where there are yes men, Chris, there are no men. Tito doesn’t need an excuse, and he certainly had reasons. Reasons based on his specific knowledge of the players and the experience he’s gained in many years of managing. With all that, he may have made mistakes since all humans do. But after the fact criticisms have serious disadvantages, since they tacitly assume that the preferred solution would have worked, though there’s no way of knowing that, and when conducted by fans, they’re informed by less information than a manager has.
Yeah, piling up on the manager with 20/20 hindsight is a lazy fan rant game. I liked the following chat comment from Darragh McDonald at MLBTR:
“There’s a huge chunk of every fan base that hates their manager.
If you want to, you can always find some game, some decision, whatever and point out how it didn’t work out and say that so-and-so is an idiot and needs to go.
Every team has those though, so I don’t find them terribly convincing.
A lot of what actually makes a manager good or bad is behind the scenes stuff, whether the players like them and listen to them, etc.”
I’m sure that Francona will go back and think on things he may have done differently. I promise, with as much second guessing as fans do, managers second guess themselves almost as much and after some games, possibly even more. The players play though and the pitching let the team down in this series. I can’t beat them up too badly though as the guys who struggled the last 2 games were the very same guys who if they weren’t with the Reds, the Reds likely wouldn’t have made the postseason at all.
+10,000 (sorry I rounded down) Great comment ATH!
Too much talent on the Dodger team. When healthy hard for anyone to beat them.
He knows what he is doing, but the Reds need more.
Not to say the grass is greener, but at least the Reds made the playoffs.
Have a good offseason all.
The Reds had no business being in the playoffs. Inconsistent all year and the Mets were putrid the last 3 weeks of the season. Reds management better stop with the nonsense and decide what kind of a team they want going forward.
Good work all season, Doug. Thanks for the coverage!
Great Job by Doug again on the coverage of Redlegnation. The Reds may not get the job done, but Doug does get the job done.
Doug seemingly laying wood to Tito above. Well, Tito asked for it.
Great hanging with you guys this season!
RLS
Terry Francona managed this series TERRIBLY.
But he sure can chew bubble gum and tell stories!
Using Nick Martinez instead of a plethora of better options was inexcusable.
Emasculating Will Benson in the 8th and wasting Andujar was flat out maddening.
But i’m sure the gatekeepers will provide a cogent counter argument about why Tito is actually great.
Happily, Sal and Chase looked like they belonged in big games.
+1000 @jessecuster44
Agreed. With all the problems the Reds have, the biggest one seems to be managing.
Can’t manage to get a run in with bases loaded and no outs. How many times did that happen this year?
And the batting coaches obviously couldn’t guide our youth.
My biggest issue with managing, is tha managing of the pitching staff, don’t know whether Tito turns that all over to Johnson or has input. This one inning relief pitching thing is ridiculous. Lodolo could pitch just one inning last night.(Guess they wanted to keep him available for relief on Friday). He couldn’t start a game because he pitched one inning Sunday? Your All Star pitcher doesn’t get an appearance in the series. If the goal is to micro manage them to keep them healthy, that isn’t working either. .
Because clearly all hitters are created equal, and with the proper coaching, they could be Judge or Ohtani. Last night, the Yankees had the bases loaded and didn’t score. It happens to everybody.
The one inning relief appearance was also a Bell staple. Actually, all managers do it. Some pitchers–Martinez and Burns–pitch more than one inning from time to time, but you’ll get no satisfaction from a different manager unless you somehow get the job yourself.
and he’s all out of bubble gum.
You are saying you don’t like how he shuffled the journeyman on his roster around? He managed the team to the best season they have had in years. Give that man a good roster and we are going deep into October.
This team never had any “magic” like some have mentioned. They were constantly backed against the wall and came out not swinging. Several times they had to win and came out and lost. If you do not see the value of a manager like Tito then you just aren’t looking hard enough. He kept them steady and playing hard.
This team had holes everywhere and he got a respectable season out of them. If I am him im riding off into the sunset or going somewhere w a competent GM that will give him one last chance to win a ring.
+100000000, Justin. My guess is that no manager’s decisions please all of the fans, or even most of them.
+4,256
The organization gave him the best hitter in the organization (Stewart), and Tito hardly used him. Please stop with the give him a great roster crap. Andujar mashed, but couldn’t find himself in the DH spot over the likes of punch and judy hitting Lux. No, Tito has been a disaster.
Respectively, IMHO you can pick any GM you want and put him with the Reds and if the budget stays the same we might get a slightly better but we won’t be able to come close to the Dodgers, Phillies, Yankees etc.. Same story when we added Tito and he was hailed as the cream of the manager crop.
As we all know we made the playoffs because of the Mets epic nosedive. We could not even win the last game of the regular season to assure us of the playoffs and again had to rely on the Mets. I see us getting lots of new faces for next year and if we are somehow very lucky one needle mover.
As I have mentioned before I can only rest my hope on a new CBA that reigns in the insanity of teams like the Dodgers on one hand and teams like the Rockies, Pirates, Reds on the other.
Jesse, you mentioned in this thread that Hunter Greene was talking smack. I tried to find it on line but can’t seem to find anything about it. Could you please provide us with a link? Thank you
So done with Francona. He hurt the team as much or more than he helped it this season. So many questionable lineups, no sense of urgency to win (look at today as “exhibit a”). David Bell would have gotten the same or better results.
Ownership and Krall obviously take blame in it all too. They target singles hitters and cry poverty while the Milwaukee and Cleveland organizations run circles around them year after year.
So glad it’s mercifully over. Watching these last two games was like watching a train wreck- the Reds were clearly overmatched and out managed.
and yet one big hit in each game might have brought a different result.
Hard to overcome Tito and weak offense though.
A better manager, plus a bigger bat or two just might make the Reds dangerous and fun to watch next season.
Each game Tito left off his one of this two best bats; Stewart in the 1st game, and Andujar in the 2nd. Meanwhile how often did h bat Lux 3rd? Yes, this team has holes, and plenty of them, but that doesn’t give a manager an excuse not to maximize the team that he has.
I honestly believe that Tito wasn’t much of a positive this year, possibly more weird moves than Bell. There’s no convincing me that he was much of an improvement over Bell. Unless he’s told who to play but his moves just seem really odd. Most of his isn’t armchair quarterbacking, it’s wtf in real time.
It really was wtf almost instantly. McLain was horrific most of the year, but lets not put an above average offensive 2B like Lux in there and send MM down to work on whats broken. That would open up a spot to play your #1 prospect and/or Hinds since you need power. They brought up Burns quickly enough? And Krall? If Tony falls apart in March/April and needs TJ then I put it on him. Nobody needs to be pitching in half the games when they throw as hard as they do now. I believe this year will lead to injury and shorten his career. I hope I’m wrong.
Can’t forget randomly throwing Marte in CF too. Wasn’t that in LA too?
Absolutely Brian. I’m shocked at how bad Tito has been. How long did he stick with Espinal? The constant batting of Lux in place of better hitters, and then placing him 3rd or 5th in the lineup. Even using Lodolo in the last game keeping him from starting the 2nd game, especially with all the big lefties in the Dodger’s lineup. Foolish decisions.
And yes, don’t get me started on the McLain factor. I think Tito and the Reds as a whole may have destroyed this kid. He should have been sent down in June to get his stuff together and his confidence back. I hope he can bounce back. The problem now though, is do you count on him bouncing back? We can’t have that sort of hole at 2nd again. I think McLain was probably the worst hitter in the game with enough AB’s to qualify. If not, he was close.
Note to Chris: In the playoffs, Lux hit .500 with an OBP of .500. Andujar hit .000 with an OBP of .200.
+1000 Jon (So done with Francona. He hurt the team as much or more than he helped it this season. So many questionable lineups, no sense of urgency to win (look at today as “exhibit a”). David Bell would have gotten the same or better results.)
Can’t believe I’m saying this, but I agree. At least Bell tried. It’s criminal when you look at how this team with no power all the sudden stopped running and causing havoc on the basepaths. Tito’s philosophy and lineups made the offense even worse than it actually is.
??? you blame the Reds for targeting singles hitters then compare them to Milwaukee and Cleveland who also play small ball. But, yes, Milwaukee and Cleveland seem to play it better.
Just reference the running game of the Brewers and then look at the Reds. And no, it’s not because the Reds don’t have speed, that can be proven wrong by looking at ’23 and ’24 seasons.
They lose 100 games without him. He has rings and success everywhere he has been. He inherits the most boring team in the league and takes them into the playoffs. They have incompetency in the front office and they are cheap on top of that. We needed offense at the deadline so they get a .220 hitting third baseman and a journeyman left fielder. They needed offense so they leave Sal Stewart in the minors until September. Thats not Tito making those calls.
Fans blaming Tito are a product of not seeing winning baseball for decades in this city.
+101
Amen and amen again in regards to the offense.The journeyman is then put in the cleanup spot which is further indictment on the offense.Tito said when Stewart was brought up he would not forget the players that has been grinding all year and I respect that and understand it.No way was he going to play Sal every day even when he came up and no way was Hayes and his 4 year deal going to do anything other then start.He went all the way with the walking wounded cause he had no one else cause Krall said no to Hinds and CES and HRod and others.Fraley was DFA even though his numbers against righties was better then Hays in left because Krall brought Hays to start.The bad is on Krall and those above him.Tito taught this team some of what it takes to win at the big league level.Give him a couple of power arms in the pen especially lefties and a power bat to put right in the middle of the lineup.Tito did an excellent job considering.
I was disappointed how Tito managed the postseason with the players he had on the roster.
I was mostly happy how Tito managed the regular season.
I agree Tito isn’t the GM, and many of the complaints levied at Tito belong to Krall.
“They lose 100 games without him.” – This is the silliest thing I’ve read on RLN in a while.
This team had much better talent than the ’24 team and was WAY more healthy, so please explain how they would have lost 100 games. The team was among the top running teams in baseball the previous two years, and this season it was nothing more than a station to station team that had no power. That was due to a change in manager philosophy; nothing else.
Good grief. The team’s best base stealer then and now had leg issues all season. Tito seems to have rescinded Bell’s stridently criticized green light policy, but it’s hardly the only reason base stealing is down. For that matter, EDLC still had something like 37 stolen bases. Hardly chopped liver.
You are 100% correct Justin. Before hiring Tito the Reds were close to hiring Freddie Benavides. That would have been a total disaster. He would have lost 100 games this year and people here would be moaning about the Reds not pursuing Francona.
This playoff lost didn’t make me lose respect for Terry Francona, but it did make me lose respect for many who comment here. Just shameful.
Hey Jon. I would have been shocked if the Reds even won one game against the Dodgers. It’s only a train reck if a person expected anything else than what ended up happening. The Dodgers are a battle hardened, confident, world series winning champions with professional blue chip players at every position cheered on on every pitch by 50,000 rabid fans. I went to the first game and trust me, watching the game on tv did not show how overmatched the Reds were.
Happy the Reds made the playoffs. Resilient team that used pitching to overcome a very average to below average offense. Frustrating to think what could have been if we had some better contact hitters and even one 35-40 HR masher.
Krall, please don’t F up this off-season. Make the moves to improve the offense and the bullpen.
Appreciate Doug and crew and everyone that participates here in a friendly manner. It’s been a fun season.
+100000000, Jason T. Lost in the criticism of Tito is the fact that the team exceeded most people’s preseason expectations. I get that we’re frustrated because we were hoping for a better outcome against the Dodgers, but comparing the rosters of the two teams should tell us all we need to know.
As I noted yesterday we think our SPs are good and they are. But not even close to what the Dodgers threw at us. They are way more talented than us
I am a realist and did not expect them to win. Thought it would be closer
I don’t think they really exceeded most people’s expectations. Don’t confuse making the playoffs with the actual win/loss record. They made the playoffs as one of the worst win/loss teams to ever. the ’24 team actually swept the Dodgers in one of their series matchups. The Dodgers were a 3rd seed team.
this is much more demoralizing than not making the playoffs to be honest.
just shows the disparities between the top teams and the average teams.
i saw where only on hitter in the nl batted over .300 this year.
i Really believe more rule changes are needed to improve the offense output in mlb. I think this will help “even the playing field” more than trying to change the financial structure of the league. the “shot clock” has been a huge boost for the pitching. there really still is no true ban on defensive shifts. the only rule really that has helped the offense are the bigger bases but that has had minimal effect. Pitching is still way too dominant in the league.
just not enough good hitters now to field 30 teams so the more wealthy, attractive teams have a huge advantage. Not like the 70s, 80s and 90s where most teams had at least a few really good hitters.
baseball is just extremely frustrating for the lower tier team’s fans right now.
I’m honestly not sure what can be done to improve offense without dramatically altering the entire game.
Pitchers are demons today. There are, seriously, 100 guys in MLB throwing 100 MPH that you’ve never heard of. It’s tough to change the rules to improve offense when that’s what these guys are facing.
Bigger fields would likely improve batting average. But you need 30 bigger fields. And at $2B a stadium, that’s just not a realistic option.
Maybe you shrink the zone so pitchers have to throw more “meat balls”, but then you probably also get a lot more walks and slow the game down, which isn’t what the league wants to happen.
Moving the mound back makes breaking balls even better than they are now, though it does give hitters more time on a fastball – but pitchers throw fewer fastballs today than ever.
I truly don’t know what can be done in a realistic manner to make hitting “easier”. Maybe give the hitters pitchcom, too, so they know what’s coming? Lol.
Ump was giving Yamamoto alot of stuff off the zone. I think auto zone might help, but I also thought banning the shift would help and its done nothing.
Appreciate the forum to vent Doug and thanks for all your hard work!!
Move the mound back a foot or two.
Would help the offense, but boy would the traditionalists get mad.
Doug,
Haven’t there been a few times in history when MLB wanted to boost offense, so they lowered the pitching mound? Why couldn’t they do that again?
A thought was to allow bats to be longer but I found that 42 inches are allowed but no players come close to that limit. However maybe they could allow a bit more diameter which is 2.61 inches maximum. Players prefer light bats to increase their bat speed.
How about the bats being used?
I have heard some ask to lower the mound a bit? I am no expert. Is that a viable option. Maybe take a mile or two off the speed?
Limit spin rates. Take the seams off the ball. Liven it up again. Make them throw with the opposite hand. Start every inning with a runner at second. Make them throw underhand.
Just a few ideas 🙂
Maybe Yamamoto was given some leeway, but he was wickedly accurate hitting the low outside corner consistently.
+1000000000, Doug. And several additional trillions for your great stewardship of this site. Baseball has always changed, going from offense-dominant to pitching-dominant and back again. It seems probable that coaches and players try different ways of coping with the imbalance and eventually find an effective one which, in due time, is countered. And so on, down through the years. I could see the current pitching dominance being undone by a shift away from uppercut swings and selling out for homers, and toward contact hitting. Or not.
Radical, I know, but award a walk after three (3!) balls.
Why does the pitcher get 4 chances but the batter only gets 3?
Just brainstorming and what ifing.
They could juice the ball.
Make the ball a little bigger.
The Spitball was banned to level the playing field. The same thing could be done with pitchers throwing 100+ MPH. Limited triple digits fastball to say three times an inning. After that, if a pitch is thrown 100 MPH then it becomes an automatic ball.
The answer is right there in front of you… bring back the 90s! Bring back the juice! Legalize steroids
I think a lot of us are looking in the wrong direction when talking about improving the game. I think the biggest change that would help, would be to go backwards in a couple of areas. Now I know these changes won’t happen due to the union, but I think they would help.
Rosters should go back to 24 players. WAY too many pitchers. Less pitchers would force teams to teach pitching and not throwing as hard as one can. Bring back the physical side of the game, taking out 2nd baseman/SS on double plays, along with being able to run over the catcher.
Pitchers took steroids, too.
I assume that you’re volunteering to catch or turn double plays, Chris?
It’s just a measuring stick for reality..
It used to be that a batter had to “break his wrist” before it was called a strike, not just moving the bat over the plate. How often does that strike get called ? All the time. That would easily change the character of what’s happening at the plate. We get balls called strikes all the time as it is, so getting the ABS up and running will also help. Changing the distance to the plate … I wouldn’t go there. The mound has been lowered before when they thought it would help the game. How low do you want to go ? It’s a technical point that I don’t now enough about. But the pitches are coming faster, and batting averages are down. There are some simple fixes.
They were, in a ways, both strange games, from the perspective of a fan that allegedly knows much less than the manager.
I will only say that there are things going on with the Reds that are apparently below the surface of what we see reported by talented observers and writers, such as Doug Gray.
Doug made some obvious points about managing the pitching tonight, and also about the absolute LACK of any situational hitting by the Reds. It’s like they are not thinking about situational hitting at all. It makes you wonder. The young guy, Sal Stewart, does not seem to be so paralyzed as the “veteran presence” guys that have so many more ML at bats. Or maybe it’s just a question of talent.
Speculation: because of the big trade to get Ke’Bryan Hayes, I think Francona HAD to play him….maybe instructions or “Suggestions” from higher up?
Also, I think the Red’s organization has decided that Rece Hinds is not part of the future, as he was not brought up in August, when both Andujar and Hays (no “e”) were kind of banged up. Or earlier, before Andujar, and Hays was banged up and Espinal was playing left field, at times.
I have no idea where the Reds are going after this, besides, going home. I have no idea what the strategy or plans are in the off-season.
Martinez will likely be gone, and not coming back. That’s $21 mill off the payroll. I don’t think Hays or Andujar will be back either (with new contracts). Hopefully, Lowder will be healthy next Spring, as will Williamson and Aguiar.
After this 2025 past season, I really don’t know if Tito Francona is the answer. I don’t think he made a lot of bad moves, but I still fail to see a team with a high baseball IQ, that plays good baseball with any consistency.
I think (yeah sure) that the Red’s management has to be, at last, ruthlessly honest in their appraisal of their own players, based on the 2025 season. I also think that no decisions should be made based on these two losses to the Dodgers. Acuna of the Braves had an MVP season in 2023, yet did almost NOTHING in the playoffs. Somebody today mentioned that in 60 plus post season games, Joe Morgan only batted 0.180.
Tommy Edman, something of a journeyman middle infielder, was the MVP of the 2024 World Series.
“but I still fail to see a team with a high baseball IQ, that plays good baseball with any consistency”
Exactly. Why is Lux pulling up at 3B with 2 outs on a flyball to RF? He should be watching the coach who should be windmilling so hard he dislocates his arm. Stewart picked up the 2 runs of course, but thats not the point. Marte went into a funk in September because they kept jamming him in on his hands. Why isn’t that quickly fixable? He has alot of talent and should be able to overcome that quickly? Instead he’s sitting while KBH plays. Tito has lost it
+1000 @Indy Red Man. By the way (different subject–my namesake), I doubt there are many RLN members who remember former Reds catcher Bill Plummer who backed-up Johnny Bench for several years.
You can lead a horse to water, but can’t make him drink. I think Marte has alot of innate talent, but is not seasoned enough to play the strategic/tactical pitcher/hitter game or not disciplined enough to stay with the plan.
There is ABSOLUTELY NO WAY that Tito is being told who to play and when. Please stop with that theory. Tito is a HOF manager who signed on for 3 years. Do you really think that he’s being told who to play? What do you think happens if he says no to who he’s told to play? NOTHING, because nothing can be done. Do they want to fire him and pay him for 3 years? Of course not. Tito plays McLain and Hayes because he has a false sense of security for defense with those two guys.
Tommy Edman was MVP of the 2024 NLDS.
i would like to see Francona move to the front office in a advising role. He could have some interesting input on why the reds have been so bad for the past 25 years.
He had quite a bit of Krall-generated trash to work with and actually got to post-season in his first try. He was loyal to a Tee to his guys and maybe that sometimes worked tothe team’s detriment paradoxiacally. Removing Benson tonight mid at-bat was an exception to that. Benson had some enormously important moments this season – especially even after he was sent down and then rebuilt his game and forced some playing time; and imho he deserved better in that moment. Also unfair to Andujar to throw him in with 2 strikes. Francona though will be back as manager, unless he decides to opt out for whatever reason.
I quit watching, but who does that? Pinch-hit on a 1-2 count? Vesla is a lefty and Tito knows Andujar smashes lefties so why wait til its 1-2 and hamstring your own weapon?
sure. I worry about giving FO responsibility to a man who thought Littell and Martinez were better options than Lodolo, Abbott and Burns.
Lodolo is already warming up, but you let their backup C lefty hit a double off Littell first? They hit 3 bullets off of Littell in the 2nd so Tito should’ve have the hook ready. Tito is no better then Bell imo. With the knowledge and clout TF has, Stewart should’ve been up in June? Did he really think the kid couldn’t outhit most of his current team? Steer had a .606 ops in June
@jessecuster44 +1000
I would hate for Tito to be in the front office. The same guy who fell in love with Lux, McLain, and Hayes, and even Espinal for most of the season? NO THANK YOU!
Congratulations to the Reds on a huge step forward. They did what they needed to do to get into the playoffs. Hopefully they can find some bats in the off-season. Excited for Sal and Chase who both proved they belong in the ML. Thanks for the mostly civil discourse and for allowing me to air my thoughts as a passionate expat Cincinnati fan. As I hobble off into the sunset, my love for the Cincinnati Reds will never wane. Off to Scotland tomorrow with hopefully more off season adventures to follow.
Scotland!! Lucky you! Have a great time.
While in Scotland, have a Tennent’s Lager and toast your lads in RedLeg Nation.
The ales in Scotland are just ridiculously fresh and good, too.
Enjoy Scotland!!
I predicted 85-77 and a chance at the playoffs. They were 83-79 and made the Wild Card. Not great but not bad, either.
In my first 20 years on the planet (born 1951), the Reds made the postseason twice (1961 and 1970) and lost WS both times to a better AL team.
Different postseason rules now but in the past 25 years (2000 to 2025), the Reds made the postseason five times (2010-12-13-20-25) but did not made the WS even once.
The Reds have been an NL team since 1882. Their overall W-L record is 50.4% wins. They made the postseason 17 times in all those years (144 seasons) or about 12%.
Attendance at GABP was 2.2 M this year. Best number since 2015.
Reds next year (maybe) could be like this:
1B Stewart 2B McLean SS EDLC 3B Hayes C Stephenson Trevino LF Lux CF Friedl RF Marte DH Andujar UTIL Steer.
SP Greene Lodolo Abbott Burns Lowder RP Santillan Phillips Ashcraft.
Nice comment with some interesting stats. I will say, however, that if that is what the Reds roll out there for a lineup next year, then someone better be getting fired.
Yes. There are some gaps to fill.
I forgot P Singer. Oops.
2012 was their year. Votto was so good that season, even after having a 2nd knee surgery mid-season, he still contributed in the playoffs. But when Cueto went down in the playoffs, that took the wind out of their sails. But we have to add 1981 and 1994 to the list. In 1981, the Reds had the best overall record. That does not translate to a WS appearance, but they didn’t even play in the playoffs, due to the mid-season strike changing the format. The 1994 strike that eliminated the WS really hurt, too! The Expos were the rage of tge NL, but the Reds played them well. It might have been another Reds-Yankees series, and Mattingly would have had his opportunity to play in a WS finally. 1919, 1939-40, 1961, the 70s, 1990: this team makes a WS appearance about ever 2 decades. Not making one in 2012 throws that off, though. Any way you slice it or try to explain it away, they’ve been on a really bad run since 1997 (9 winning seasons out of 29), a run that competes with their franchise worst (1906-37–10 winning seasons out of 32, or 1929-60–9 winning seasons out of 32).
The Reds led in 1994 by 1/2 game when the strike ended the season.
All four division leaders at the time of the strike in 1981 tanked in the second half that year. The Reds had their chances.
Oldtimer, I’m not sure how bad the Reds tanked in ’81. They had the best record in baseball; they just didn’t win either of the “halves” of the season. There was no reason to have split the season into halves.
The Reds were not in 1st place before the strike in 1981. The four division leaders (2 in NL, 2 in AL) all tanked after the strike; their playoff spots were guaranteed.
Old timer, I’ve seen the Reds in the modern heyday of the 70’s, a lot has changed. I agree with the majority of your moves though believe the EDLC is an issue. I’d like to see him traded or he will be too high priced like Soto is and we can’t afford him. If he can’t be traded move to LF and take some pressure off him like the turn around of Marte and have a SS not leading the league in errors. Also, KB Hayes is an excellent 3B but at what cost of the lack of power they have. Looking forward to next years like the last 35 years.
After the emotions run off this season will be viewed as a success. This team is very young, and this organization has been so inept for so long that there’s just no experience at what it takes to make the playoffs, much less win them. Bringing in guys that have playoff experience (Trevino, Martinez, Pagan) was huge. This team got to experience joy for the first time in a long time in Milwaukee. You just can’t teach how victory feels. Now these players have a taste of it, and they want more. I predict there will be a fire lit in these guys, mistakes will cut down, sloppy losses will disappear. I choose the light and Believe this is just the dawn of the next great Reds era.
Tito said in his postgame that the team needs to get better in a lot of areas including himself getting better….tell me about it! Your refusal to ever hit & run or steal bases, letting Elly play every game with no rest, and the decisions you made in these last 2 games were unexplainable…..I am still waiting for a reason you let Hayes bat with the bases loaded in the 8th yesterday!!
No extra base hits yet again! EDLC, their one superstar, so-called, didn’t show up. Again, watching this reminded me of the 2010 playoffs against the Phils, where the young Reds looked like boys playing men.
Good season Reds! I am happy the Reds made the playoffs. They need to try to build a team over the winter that can beat the Dodgers in the playoffs in 2026.
The Reds need to ask some hard questions this offseason about their “prospects”.
How much more leash do you give to CES, Hinds, McLain, and Benson? None of those players are exactly “young” any more. Hinds will be 25 next season, CES and McLain will be 26, and Benson will be 28.
Further, what do we make of Steer, if Sal Stewart looks set to take over at 1B? Keep him? Does he hit enough to warrant a spot in the lineup?
Right now, I’d say the only guaranteed hitters for next season are EDLC, Marte, Hayes, Stephenson, Friedl, and Stewart. They could really use more dependable options for the final 3 spots in the lineup. And honestly, it might be too early to anoint Stewart. We’ve been down this path of jumping the gun on small sample sizes for our prospects.
Steer would make a fine bench player who can play multiple positions. Benson also might be ok as a backup outfielder. But I really don’t know what to do with CES, McLain, and Hinds. The paradox is if you trade them now, you might be selling low. But if you wait for them to start playing well, then you don’t want to trade them.
Also, do we bring Lux or Hays back? Both are on 1 year contracts. Neither was much of a difference-maker. And what about Andujar? He’s also on a 1 year contract.
The problem with the Reds is they have too many mediocre players and not enough players who produce. If they want to keep evolving as a competitive team, they NEED to address these shortcomings.
Lots of decisions to make.
Really good overview, C13J. I would guess that the prospects would/should mostly get a serious opportunity to prove that they belong on the MLB roster next spring. For some of them, injury has likely reduced their effectiveness, so one more chance is warranted.
Hays has a mutual option for 2026 at 12M and will most likely be a free agent. Andujar will be a free agent. Lux is controllable for the Reds in 2026 via his final year of Arbitration eligibility.
I thought it was pretty cool that the Reds did get a wild card but I never expected them to advance in the playoffs. Just not enough talent, period.
And what talent we do have is really overrated. I was disappointed in Hunter’s weak playoff performance. Elly also. They both have a lot of talent compared to our other guys but not so much when the lights burn brightest.
The Reds are interesting as a team with potential but Tito ball is boring. The powers that be need to decide if the Reds are small ball with emphasis on defense over all else. And if so get the team using its speed to add to the weak offense.
If it’s going to be good pitching with potent offense then get some offense and find a spot for Sal Stewart and some sluggers.
And spend at least $150 million INTELLIGENTLY!!
Tell Hayes and MM they have to hit to play. Defense is not a substitute for anemic offense.
No one can convince me that the owners can’t pay sufficient $$ to compete in the division.
I assume Espinal is dealt this winter. Wonder if CES is dealt too. Maybe Steer? I think IF’s coming back include EDLC, Hayes, McLain, and Stewart. Holding onto Steer and signing Alonso makes our IF a contender. You then let the organizational guys or a minor league free agent earn the last IF spot for the 40MR. Otherwise, perhaps Lux counts here.
Catchers are set with Stephenson and Trevino. Banfield probably clears waivers. Either way, I think we only carry 2 on the 40MR entering Spring Training.
That leaves the OF. Its not good defensively. I assume Marte, Dunn, Friedl, Hinds, and Lux return. Lux is not good in the OF. Benson is a tough call. I like his presence. I would not bring Hays back. Hays with a bad back versus Teoscar Hernandez for LAD is the difference between just making it and seriously contending. We need a dude. Hinds either needs a legitimate chance or they need to deal him. If he has too much swing and miss, deal him. We cannot carry 3-4 AAAA guys anymore. We need to have the mentality that we are better than a “hopeful wild card” team.
The ownership needs to come out very soon and indicate if they are spending money or not. If its more of the same, they need to be honest and let some of us Reds fans decide if we’re going to keep hitting our heads against the wall.
Previous ownerships went out at spent money when they knew we were legit. Money was not an issue for the 1990 Reds. When Larkin got help from Reggie Sanders, et al., in the mid 90’s, they acquired star pitching and hitters. They did not pinch pennies.
If ownership is going to act like the Pirates yet again, then I’m just going to watch Youtube videos of old Reds games when ownership wanted to win.
Having vented, I want to congratulate every single Reds player and staff for battling through a marathon of a season. The team certainly fought hard and I’m sure these guys are exhausted.
I see many are in agreement with me regarding Tired Old Tito. Burnt out, eccentric, lazy, unmotivated and apathetic. Time for retirement———Long Overdue. Good work as always Doug. Thank You Very Much.
And many disagree, too.
Yes many disagree
Did he flirt with your girlfriend 50 years ago, so you still have a grudge on Tito?
No, that didn’t happen. Many of us aren’t complacent yes men. We can use facts along with our eyes to show that Tito did a terrible job. Heck, even Tito acknowledged that he needs to do better.
Any manager who didn’t acknowledge mistakes wouldn’t be worth hiring. I hope you’re able to calm down a bit before opening day, Chris. And enough with “yes men,” if you please. You know none of us. You’re welcome to your opinions and we’re welcome to ours.
I don’t think there is anything “wrong” with Terry Francona. He is an intelligent, good guy. But I don’t know if he is reaching the players. And the talent level on the Reds is not as high as it needs to be.
I don’t know where the Reds go from here. Francona will be back as manager if he wants to.
I don’t know where or how the Reds get the players to fix their problems. Signing big-dollar free agents is not going to happen with Reds’ ownership.
I fear you are correct David but then what changes next year?
If the team doesn’t markedly improve the talent level (and the old saying that you get what you pay for held true this year) then what’s the point?
A step in the right direction this season. More wins than the year before and made the playoffs. Wild card round experience will motivate the players to get back next year wanting better results. Got 155+ innings from 3 of the 5 potential starters for next year and 100+ from the other 2. Should have better pitching depth next season. Young relievers got some good experience and should be able to build on it.
IMO, of the FAs to be, trying to sign Pagan and Andujar should be highly considered. For those with options, no to Hays and Barlow and yes to Suter. Non tender Espinal, Gibaut and Moll. Add HRod, Franco and Arroyo to the 40 man roster. Extension talks again soon with EDLC and with Abbott, Marte, Burns and Stewart. I don’t see the FO spending big on a FA, but maybe someone like O’Hearn as a DH/1B/OF option. I think Duran from Boston should be looked at as a trade candidate. It’ll be interesting to see what the FO does this offseason to improve the ballclub for ‘26 and beyond.
Probable, not potential
Duran’s defense is going down, and he’d cost a starter. I think giving up a starter for Wood would be a better idea. But I’m not sold on Marte in the OF; it’s better to have actual OFers! And some are talking about moving Stewart to left! And how long are they going to wait on Steer’s and MM’s and Marte’s bats? They simply have too many questions marks!
Duran is interesting, but my guess is that the Sox would want the moon and stars for him, and his numbers this season are a slight, if any, improvement over what the Reds have now.
Why in the world would you sign Suter? I love the guy, but he needs to retire. He can no longer get anyone out reliably. Even Tito stopped using in in September unless it was a blow out.
From Cincinnati Enquirer–Dave Clark: Much of the anger from Cincinnati Reds’ fans on social media after the team was eliminated from the MLB postseason by the Los Angeles Dodgers in a two-game, National League wild-card series sweep revolved around how few pitches were thrown by Nick Lodolo and All-Star Andrew Abbott.
Lodolo threw 14 pitches in the 8-4 Game 2 loss before Nick Martinez relieved him. Abbott was the Reds’ scheduled start for Game 3, if Cincinnati had won one of the first two games.
First, Tito did a great job this year. There are many saying he’s no better than David Bell… well… David Bell has a career 409-456 record as manager, with no playoff wins. Terry Francona has a career record of 2033-1753, two World Series championships and is a future Hall of Famer. He just took a team with a bottom-third payroll to the playoffs in a full season, something David Bell never did. It’s frankly astounding that this all needs to be argued, because there should be no argument, but it’s understandable in a what-have-you-done-for-me-lately world. And I do think Tito made a few questionable moves in this series.
But this season felt very different to me than past seasons. When David Bell had Matt McLain and Spencer Steer finishing 5th and 6th in ROY voting, we didn’t make the playoffs. Those guys were supposed to be the backbone of the 2025 team and both underperformed… especially Matt McLain who was abysmal. The result? Playoffs. I felt like Tito was pushing mostly the right buttons. Always? No. In this playoff series? Maybe not. But moving Marte to right field was the right move. I don’t think Bell makes that move in a million years. Tito knew who he could count on. Suter didn’t pitch almost the entire month of September. Tito knew he was important to the clubhouse, and could eat up innings, but September was full of close games. So he didn’t pitch him. Bell would have pitched Suter more, I just feel it in my muscle memory. That is just one example. I feel like Bell would have ridden Jacob Hurtubise and Blake Dunn longer. Jake Fraley would still be on this team. Arguably, so would Alexis Diaz. Spencer Steer would never have gotten to show off how good he is at 1st base, Bell would have had him everywhere. The list goes on. It was different, way different. I feel like Tito was constantly trying to put every player in the best spot to field the best team. He didn’t roll out the B team every third game like Bell did. There are arguments to be made in the Hayes vs. Stewart debate… and I would argue the Hayes pickup was an overreaction to how bad Marte was at 3rd, and that hamstrung Tito by having to play Hayes more over Stewart – perhaps with a dictate from the front office.
But I digress. The entire argument that Tito is no better than David Bell is laughable and seems to hinge, as far as I can tell, on the possibility that Tito has gone somewhat senile. And maybe that’s somewhat true, we don’t know. Maybe he’s “lost it a little bit.” But just two years ago he took Cleveland to a 92-70 record and he got this Reds team to the playoffs with pretty much a bunch of inexperienced, unproven, and often underperforming players. At worst, Tito is competent at his job. To my eyes, far more reminiscent of Dusty Baker-level competent than Bryan Price/David Bell/Jerry Narron/Dave Miley/Bob Boone-level competent. I can’t wait to see what he does next year.
I love how people talking about Tito managing poorly are stating that as their opinion but your post states it as a fact. Newsflash, your thoughts are an opinion, just like the opinions on here that seem to outnumber your side.
A hall of fame career is great. Joey Votto is a hall of famer, he also had some poor years and it was time for him to go.
Making the playoffs when 40% of teams do is like saying you were in the top 40% of your class. That’s not some great accomplishment, especially when you’re the last team in. This was barely above a .500 team. Now maybe Tito was told who to start at 3B, never to sit the SS, pitch a couple of relievers to the point that nobody will be in shock if they have arm issues next year. Maybe he was instructed that MM should bat second most of the year and start regardless of how he hit.
You can’t be objective if you don’t see that the lineups and in game moves during these 2 games are head scratchers.
Most on here disagree with your “opinion “.
It has been a while since I listed the very poor seasons endured by a number of great managers, and I won’t repeat the entire exercise now, save for the tidbit that Sparky Anderson once had a 103 loss season in Detroit. Managers make a difference, but it’s the players who make the biggest difference. I wonder how many of us, had we dispassionately looked at the two rosters prior to the start of this brief series, would have predicted a Reds’ win? The following is my opinion, to be sure, but I don’t believe that the Reds had a reasonable prospect of advancing regardless of which players on the roster Tito used or how he chose to use them. The fact that we don’t know why he decided what he did is not the same as those decisions being inexplicable. We’ve all known, all year, that the Reds had significant weaknesses. Why are we now surprised and looking for scapegoats?
Brian, opinion vs fact is valid. Let me be clear though, it is a FACT that Tito was not told who to play and when. THAT DOESN’T happen to a HOF manager who just signed for 3 years. Tito did not sign to have someone tell him whom to play and when. PERIOD…FACT. The foolish moves were Tito and Tito only.
Chris, I happen to share your opinion, but neither of us knows for a fact that Tito wasn’t told whom to play. No matter how strident an opinion is, it is not a fact without evidence.
Hey Brian, everything in my comment is clearly written as an opinion. Let me show you the words I used, vs. what words would be used if someone were “stating it as fact.”
I said: “this season felt very different to me”
Stated as fact: “this season was very different”
I said: ” I felt like Tito was pushing mostly the right buttons”
Stated as fact: “Tito pushed all the right buttons”
I said: “I don’t think Bell makes that move”
Stated as fact: “Bell does not make that move”
I said: “Bell would have pitched Suter more, I just feel it”
Stated as fact: “Bell would have pitched Suter more, that’s a fact.”
I said: “I feel like Bell would have…”
Stated as fact: “Bell would have…”
I said: “I feel like Tito was constantly trying…”
Stated as fact: “Tito was constantly trying…”
I said: “There are arguments to be made…”
Stated as fact: “There is no argument, I am correct”
I said: “and I would argue the Hayes pickup was an overreaction”
Stated as fact: “the Hayes pickup was an overreaction”
I said: “maybe that’s somewhat true”
Stated as fact: “that’s definitely not true”
I said: “Maybe he’s “lost it a little bit.””
Stated as fact: “He hasn’t lost it”
I said: “to my eyes…”
Stated as fact: “it’s a fact that…”
Notice all the “I feel…” and “to my eyes” and “I would argue” types of phrases in there? Those signify an opinion.
What you are reacting to is not that it was written as fact, but the conviction with which I stated my opinion. We can agree to disagree. Although, like I said, Tito did make a few head scratching decisions in this series. So maybe we can just leave it at that.
+1000.
P.S. I know lots of people doubt the wisdom of the Hayes acquisition, but I really think he has made a lot of plays that Marte and others would find difficult to make and saving runs. His bat may be a problem, but primarily because there are so many other problems offensively.
I think Tito put up the best line up he could last night. Got Stewart in. Kept Marte out. No Trevino. Kinda hard to hit and run with bases loaded no outs and your two “best’ hitters up (Stewart and EDLC) and they swing and miss curve balls low and away by a mile. I do think I would have tried to get Benson more at bats not only in the playoffs but at season’s end. Taking him out with 2 strikes was probably a bad chess move, but certainly no guarantee the results would be different.
Ragging about bringing Martinez in is hindsight. Maybe you bring in Abbott instead, sacrificing game 3 game plan.
Fact is, the Reds strike out tooooo much.
Gotta get to game 3 to use the plan.
Tito just loves his vets.
Why exit Lodolo after 14 effective pitches for ANYONE?
There was concern about Lodolo being on the edge of a groin injury very recently. I have no idea whether that influenced his use in the playoffs, but it’s a possibility.
“He just took a team with a bottom-third payroll to the playoffs in a full season, something David Bell never did.”
If you’re happy with the job Tito did, that’s great. But just to address your point above. Tito won 83 games. Bell did that too. It’s not Bell’s fault a team ahead of us didn’t collapse like the Mets. And he won 82 games. And he had a far inferior starting pitching staff than Tito. And he did make the playoffs, but many refuse to count it.
I hope Tito has much success with the Reds.
Spot ont wkuchad. I’m not a fan of Bell as manager, but the one year I thought he did an amazing job was 2023 with the worst pitching staff on the planet, coupled with horrible injuries. Sadly he had that last year too. There just is no excuse for how Tito handled this team offensively, and of course the blunder of causing Lodolo not to be the #2 starter and then further pulling him so quick last night. Real head-shaker moves.
Nicely written Daniel.
Yep. And we all knew it was only a matter of time before the fanbase was as unhappy with Francona as they were with Bell, Price and before them, Baker. It doesn’t matter who the manager is, a good portion of fans are going to not be happy with the manager. This is even more true when the team loses.
Would I have made similar moves to Francona down the stretch and in the short playoff series? Maybe, maybe not. Would other managers have?
To simply say that Francona was no better than Bell would have been this season is an easy argument to make. Why? Well, because there is no way to prove that the claim ISN’T true. To simply say that Francona won this team 10 more games than Bell would have is also just an easy of an argument. Why? Well, because again there is no way to prove that it isn’t true.
Is Francona the best manager in baseball? Some say “Yes”, some clearly disagree, especially after the post-season losses. Is Francona an average or better MLB manager? I think that most would agree that is the case but again, there are more than a handful that would still disagree and there is literally no way to prove them wrong.
Francona is most certainly going to get “Manager of the Year” votes. He may even win the award. I personally think with the season he had, based on the roster he was provided and the challenges the team faced during the season, I think Francona did a good job in his first season as Reds manager. If people want to disagree, that’s their right as fans and I can’t really argue with them because I can’t disprove them in any way.
+100000000. Good one, LWBlogger.
Dodgers stars (too many to name) played like stars while Reds stars, Cruz and Greene, disappointed. Cruz had as many hits as Hayes had, zero. As a matter of fact, 6-8 hitters, Cruz, Stephenson, Hayes, had zero hit. The bad Stephenson showed up: looked at pitches in strike zone and swung at pitches out of strike zones. Andujar didn’t do well either. The rest of hitters played well. I’ve been anti Francona all year and refused to call him Tito, and the way he managed these two games, I wish I have been more vocal bashing him. But he will look in the mirror, so he said, and be a better manager next year. I hope so. After the last out, the most terrifying thought I had was Bengals for 13 more weeks?
Someone said it earlier, low baseball IQ coupled with below average players at multiple positions leads to a 500 team at best. The regression of McClain and Elly (trouble with the curve) De La Cruz is a huge concern headed into next year. Ownership doesn’t have the stomach to make the changes necessary for the team to contend leaving the fans rooting for another season of mediocrity.
thanks to Doug, all the writers at RLN and the fans comments-it’s been a fun ride-looking forward to the next year
Between Monday Night Football and the two Wild Card games, Cincy sports fans got to witness our teams get blown out on the national stage three nights in a row! What a time to be alive!
Because the goal of ownership seems to be profitable mediocrity, they’ll be pretty inactive in the offseason. They’ll tout that they “made the playoffs” and stand pat. (Never mind that “making the playoffs” in MLB these days is only a marginal accomplishment, diluted from what it used to mean years ago.)
I watched the bases loaded fiasco and then up until the Enemy pushed across more. Then I got out of bed, turned everything off, and thought of this bunch of RLN faithful while mentally filing one last …
STINK. FISH. POT!!!!
I’ll be a casual baseball fan for the next couple of weeks and maybe even jump on somebody’s fanboy bandwagon. It’s been quite the ride for 164 games, but we all knew it would end. We just hoped it wouldn’t end this way.
An outcome predicted by most, if not all. No big deal here. Pitching foundation has been laid to go along with a few good position players into next season, yet the performance gap is significant when compared to some other teams. As thing stands, Reds finished this season just above average in pitching and just below average in hitting. Greene, Lodolo, Abbott, Singer and Burns make a terrific starting five. Ashcraft, Santillan, Phillips and Richardson are half of a potential good bullpen. EDLC, McLain, Stewart, Steer, Marte and Friedl, along with Stephenson/Treviño make a good start. Looking forward to the offseason.
Agreed. Except for McLain. I think he needs a change of scenery
Reds season over. I wonder how the Reds could be improved in order to be competitive against the “winning teams” being a top-5 tier member. It’s a lot to do it , many changes are needed in all of aspects…I don’t see Krall and Co. making a lot of moves this offseason…Will the Reds be an average team fighting for the 3rd wildcard again next year?
As a Reds fan, it was nice to make the playoffs. However, even I can admit that having a NY team in there with the likes of Soto, Lindor and Alonso would’ve been better for baseball. Our guys tried but they were completely overmatched in this one and it gives life to the saying ‘So close, yet so far away’. The weird thing is that 5 and 4 runs should be enough in the playoffs. It was our pitching, of all things that did us in our last two games. Oh well.
HG talked smack and then got lit up, because he tipped his pitches.
Our very best starter did not throw a pitch in either game.
A deadline acquisition who led MLB in dingers allowed was left in to pitch when it was clear he didn’t have it.
An effective Lodolo was lifted after 14(!!!!) pitches, for Martinez, who has been meh lately.
It is like they actively tried to lose on the pitching side of things.
Martinez pitched well in his last outing, I believe, and Abbott has clearly shown for a while that he’s gassed and consequently not as effective as he was. Hindsight is always 20/20, but hindsight is a luxury no manager enjoys when he’s making in-game decisions. Tito, like all managers, has been “good” when he had good players and “bad” when he had bad players.
Link to the Greene smack talking?
He’s always been a cordial, well spoken young man.
HG didn’t tip his pitches. He through fastballs down the middle and hung his slider. He didn’t just now start tipping his pitches.
“Threw”
I would also like a link to the HG talking smack proof. As far as tipping his pitches…Ohtani hit a 101 mph inside fastball. On the inner half, great pitch. He just got beat by one of the best to ever play. Not many in th game could have hit that
Add me to the list of those who would like the link to Hunter Greene talking smack.
Hey Jesse did you find the link of Hunter Greene talking smack yet? I am very interested in seeing it.
For me, the issue was as much the Dodgers’ preparation and execution as it was a failure of the Reds’ pitching. This was far from the only series in which the Reds were ambushed this season. It was just on the larger stage with more impact by the best executioners.
The data is in the open for all to see. Learning how to use it is the point of divergence.
Re: Dodger preparation, I noticed that, too. There were times it looked like LA knew what the Reds were going to do before the Reds did.
+3.14 Jim
Really good call here Jim. They seemed to have an excellent gameplan. They then executed that gameplan nearly flawlessly.
I have to say, the most frustrating thing is not really knowing……my hope was Lodolo starts and is releaved by Burns……I understand Lodolo and his stats, and his abilities………but……it seems like whenever we needed for him to be a bulldog……he was a puppy……..
This bashing of Tito is silly.
Reds were 10th out of 15 NL teams in OPS and wRC+.
They were 7th out of 15 teams in ERA.
Yet they were in the top 6 to make the playoffs.
If anything, Tito got the team to overperform.
The players play.
Calling up Stewart in June was easy though. Stealing with fast guys is easy. I watch other teams do it regularly. How fast is Juan Soto? Tito had solid pitching including a solid closer. No Heath Hembree’s in the 9th giving up moon shots. I expect much better
And that’s not Tito’s decision to call Sal up.
And I disagree. Sal was in AA in June.
Plus, Sal struggled in the field. Critical error yesterday at 1B. Critical misplay at 3B n the 2nd Pirates game in regular season allowed a run to score and the game went extras and Reds lost.
And what in the world does Juan Soto have to do with any of that?
You can make excuses for Tito all day long. Sal did get called up in September, and it should have been earlier, and would have if Tito would have requested it. Regardless, when Sal did get called up, he hardly started, yet still led the team in HR’s during the time he was up. As for the critical error in the Pirates game, that wasn’t and error, and quite frankly would have been a top notch play had he made it. Never mind that shortly before that he made an excellent play in the netting down the foul ball line. Fact is, he was the best hitter on the team, except for maybe Andujar, and he couldn’t find himself in the lineup daily. As for Soto the point was very clear. Not a huge base stealing threat but he was allowed to, possibly even pushed to run, and he wound up stealing 40 bags this season. This team sat on their hand when they arrived at 1st base this season. Horrible job by Tito.
Sal also got exposed at 3B with the hard grounder that back him up. The concern with Sal defensively is not that he’s a poor fielding balls on the infield. He does fine, with those he gets to. But the play above showed that the speed of the game at the ML level is above him at 3B, at least right now. His throwing error, while costly, is more forgivable given his very, very few games at 1B. Playing him out of position moving forward is less so. We all just want this 21 year old kid to do well. To think, the amount of games the club played him at 2B in the minors could have been at 1B instead.
+1000000, ATH.
Boom! I agree. Look at OPS+/ wRC+. Also, the Baseball Savant site can be overwhelming to newcomers, but, look for curated stats from that site that are showing up on BBRef and Fangraphs, numbers like hard hit percent and average exit velocity.
ATH your comments spot on
Steer proved to be very nimble at 1B so I think he might actually be a slight improvement over McLain defensively at 2B and his .723 (.739 2nd half) looks pretty solid at 2B as well. I’d make MM my SS and Elly RF, but thats another story. I still think McLain can be a good hitter, but he needs a total reset. He doesn’t think like a little guy with a smaller zone. He doesn’t seem to know where the zone is? Make him earn his spot in the lineup. Lux 2B early on and add Stewart would’ve made this lineup so much better over the summer.
I’d have Elly lead off and run again. Thats my biggest complaint this year and I apologize for mentioning it 1000x, but it was a killer. 7th highest GIDP in the NL because he rarely runs. Friedl could barely run this year. His .364 obp is good, but when your leadoff guy has to hook slide to score from 2nd on a 2 out single then something is off? I’d give Hines some playing time in CF.
Finally I doubt a big bat is coming, but atleast find someone that can get on base and be pesky like Milwaukee’s guys. Resign Andujar! The guy can hit and we’d be in good shape if he was the DH for 350+ at-bats. Pitching should be in great shape with a couple of good arms. Resign Pagan. We really need to win a few divisions in the next 4-5 seasons with the rotation they’re going to have
Summarizing a comment I made earlier, this is what I think the Reds should do regarding their hitters:
KEEP
1. EDLC
2. Marte
3. Friedl
4. Hayes
5. Stephenson
6. Trevino
7. Stewart
PROBABLY KEEP
1. Steer
2. Andujar
THINK ABOUT IT
1. McLain
2. CES
3. Hinds
4. Benson
DON’T KEEP
1. Hays
2. Lux
3. Espinal
The Reds have a pretty solid base to build on here, but they are still a few pieces away. The 4 players in the “Think About It” category are too old to really be considered “prospects” any more, but trading them now would be selling low. That said, it might be good to explore packaging them along with some other prospects
to trade for a power bat for the OF to start alongside Friedl and Marte.
I’d also like to see the Reds make a run at Alonso, but where would that leave Steer/Stewart?
Alonso + a LF power bat would solve a lot of issues on offense. The Reds have the pieces to trade to get a power hitting LF. The question is, will they be bold enough to do it?
They also might want to think about a different hitting coach.
The Reds have a window to compete now. But they need to take concrete steps to get over the line. The pitching is there. Now they need to get 2 or 3 missing pieces to bring the hitting along.
For me, the Reds have only two or three position guys I would be worrying about where they would play if a high-impact guy or three came into the Reds fold. Everyone else is expendable depending on how the mix comes together.
On second thought, maybe I’d only be concerned about where EDLC plays, because Stewart and Marte are both young enough that some additional AAA time might serve them well in the long run.
Agreed! Fire valaika and hire votto to be hitting coach.. he studied hitting as much as any player in red’s history, prided himself on mentoring, and was a part of the energized upstart 2023 team
Reading the relentless angry comments by alleged baseball fans has poured Drano in my morning coffee. This is the first team that’s actually advanced past regular season in more than a dozen years and all I read is vitriol. Man, I hope some of you folks have a nice holiday season, starting with the one on Jan. 2.
In the words of Paul Daugherty: You get what you put up with.
The idea is to win championships, not to back into the #6 spot.
If you’re happy with that, and content with the last two games…
@JCU you are 100% spot on with your comments.
If following the Cincinnati Reds makes you miserable then perhaps you’re not really a Red’s fan after all and you should find something else to do with your time. Most won’t do that because they love being miserable and shaking their fists at the clouds.
Well the thought by everybody was if the Reds could get into the playoffs their starting pitching could be dangerous. Well the only team that could match their starters IMO was…… The Dodgers. And with our luck that’s who they drew.
I have been puzzled all season by the lack of a running game and you can’t point at just Elly. Tito refused to send everybody. Even against some of the worst catchers in the league they didn’t steal. When you can’t hit and driving in runs is hard you have to steal and use situational hitting. Not bunting in the 10th was common and sending guys to stay out of the double plays never existed. Just maddening. Never figuring out the bullpen and getting guys to help take the load off Tony and Barlow. You can’t go into next year with a Left fielder and 3rd baseman who can’t hit home runs. This team is lacking power in a home run hitting ballpark. Every year they get out homered at home. That’s insane.
Bob needs to increase payroll and Krall or whoever needs to put a better product on the field. Find a closer and 2 or 3 shut down relievers. Stop signing the reclamation projects. Sign Andujar and use him as an every day DH. This team has never had one and is probably the worst DH team in its NL existence. The guy hits lefties and Righties.
Thanks Doug and let’s all hope for an active off season. I doubt it happens but we can hope. Isn’t that what Bob and Krall run this team on? Hope?
Hate to tell you, but Castellini has already ordered Krall to get in line at the FA clearance rack. We’ve got quite a few “meh” players to swap out for new “meh” players. “Where else you gonna go? still resonates.
Excellent summation…
Thanks Doug for great analysis and insight.
Also thanks for all the other article contributors here.
Talented crew, great site to get the latest on the Reds.
I had my Redleg Nation shirt on last night!
Much thanks Doug
I don’t have one of those anymore. Got stained so I had to scrap it a couple years back.
Elly was oh for 6 in the two games and silent. You expect your stars to shine in the postseason and he was MIA. After a season of leading the league in errors we really need to gauge if he is the answer at SS.
He did have 2 RBI’s.
2 game sample size against all star caliber pitching might be reality, but not exactly fair. He certainly regressed a bit in my opinion. Something changed at the end of June, because he was rolling. Maybe some of it was injury related…or…new hitting approach from the new coach? The loss of a sibling? Most likely, some combination of those things negatively affected him.
Perhaps Terry should have given him some time off as he seemed to really hit well after he was rested which was not often enough. Some of the errors seemed lazy almost taking the play for granted, meanwhile he is commiserating with every runner who reaches second. Don’t get me wrong he has star potential but if I am leading the league in errors, I am making sure my head is in the game 100% of the time when I am in the field.
My appreciation to Doug for providing and managing the Redleg Nation blog. It has to be one of the best baseball blogs whether MLB or minor league. Also, regards to fellow commentators for their stated opinions about our favorite team, the Reds. It was an interesting season, with the last game having the bases loaded with no outs, and no runs were scored. That’s my overall symbol for the season. I hope the Reds inconsistent offense can be addressed this offseason. Francona has made a difference this year, but I would like to see more energy from him during the game. And the Red’s team speed was not utilized for excitement like in past seasons. But I sense the team likes playing for Francona and he’ll be at the helm for the next couple years. This offseason, an offensive leader is needed to accompany Andujar and Stewart, and to combine the Red’s good pitching.
“ I would like to see more energy from him during the game”
Seriously, what does that even mean? You want Tito to do calisthenics in the dugout?
Sounds like he needs to replace his Gum with Caffeine!
Top 10 Reasons Reds Didn’t Do Better
10. Wasting Bell’s 2025/2026 salary for Francona
9. Candelario collapse
8. CES collapse
7. Diaz collapse
6. Poor extra inning management
5. Poor use of Will Benson
6. Not forcing EDLC to rest several games
5. Not platooning MM with Lux
2. Rushing Greene back from 1st IL too soon.
1. Drafting Burns rather than Kurtz
Kurtz had a better career than Burns? Man where’d the time go.
I guess 24 GMs in baseball should have been fired when Mike Trou was drafted 24th in 2009. Likewise ALL GMs should have been fired in 2013 when Aaron Judge was drafted 32nd.
not a SINGLE analyst had Kurtz in the top 2.
+100000000, ATH
All the talk on RLN was Condon or Caglianone.
It’s so fun to use hindsight when we can be right 100% of the time
Yes, they did. He dropped in the draft because of a troublesome hamstring during his college season before he was drafted. Was that 2024?
They certainly could have used more of Benson’s OPS+ of 88
And I love Benson. I mean I really do like the guy BUT he can’t hit lefties. He just can’t. I definitely don’t think he was misused.
Additional fun fact. Benson was pulled for Andujar mid-AB but that was after the Dodgers put one of the best LHP into the game mid-AB to face him. I am against pulling guys mid-AB but I can be almost certain that we would have had the exact same outcome had Francona left Benson in.
I lost a lot of faith in Francona this series. Lodolo throws 14 pitches and you remove him for Martinez? I’ll never understand it. Bases juiced, no outs so why not PH Benson for Hayes?
Hayes and McLain had no business being in the lineup this series or even the last month of the season. Steer at 1B, Lux at 2B and Stewart at 3B? I’ll sacrifice some “D” for better offense potential. Tito has two standards for his players: those who always play, no matter how bad, and those who rarely to never. Almost criminal his lack of PT for Benson.
Over the past 2 seasons Benson has struck out in 39% of his at bats. Often times looking lost.
The fact that Benson was PH for in the middle of an AB last night because a lefty was coming in says a lot about his value. The Reds already have one guy like that in Lux who is a better hitter. One is enough. Benson will be taking up a 40 man spot and not likely to be here next year.
Benson’s strikeout rate over the last two seasons was actually 34.5%. He showed significant improvement over his 2024 rate (39.7%) by lowering his 2025 rate to 26.5% which remains 4% above MLB average.
Have to agree with most of what you stated. Really lots of valid criticism of Tito’s management during the past three games including how he handled the pitching staff. During the year my main criticism was lack of base stealing. Also everyone seems to think that Krall made personnel decisions without a lot of input from Tito ? No way!
MM and Hayes should start the season in Louisville and learn to hit again. Arroyo or Steer should be at 2B. Stewart should be at 1B . Hines should be given every opportunity to play every day in RF with Marte moving to LF. Need to add a power hitting DH or platoon Andujar and Lux at that position.
Also must be willing to trade front line players. The only players that I would not consider trading would be Burns and Stewart and Marte. Greene, Abbott, or Elly for Kurtz is a great example!
Arroyo???
Straight from AA to MLB 2nd base?
Based on what?
I don’t think Hayes has any options left for AAA play, and would have to pass through waivers to get there. And besides, I don’t really think he would be grabbed on waivers anyways.
McLain may still be recovering from his shoulder injury and subsequent surgery. The jury is still out on him, but I think he might be on thin ice with the Reds.
And trading Greene, or ELDC or Abbott is kind of just….well, ELDC led the team in HR and rbi’s. And you’re worried about scoring next year?
Not big on keeping Lux. He is not a good fielder at his position (2nd base) or in LF, and not a strong enough hitter to be every day DH.
Not sure that Andujar is the answer for DH either.
Hayes has more than five years of service time and can no longer be optioned without his consent.
Stewart knocking in three of the four runs. Otherwise our usual ONE. smh Too late to play Sal more now. Could have made a big difference down the stretch and maybe not having to play the Dodgers in LA in the first round. It’s on Krall not bringing him up in August. Wouldn’t have cost one extra dime or one prospect to give the Reds what was needed most. That alone should cost Krall his job.
As much as I love Tito and how great he is it’s on him not playing him more when he (Stewart) did finally come up.
I love that you preface every Tito complaint with “As much as I love Tito and how great he is”
🙂
I really am happy that he’s here. However I don’t follow anyone blindly. 🙂
WKU – There’s room for both compliments and complaints of the manager. It doesn’t have to be an either/or thing.
Of course VaReds, I was just having fun. I should have used the sarcastic font.
All I saw was the Reds hitters being too selective at the plate. Too many first pitch meatball strikes they just let go by. Followed up by flailing at junk out of the zone.
No fire. They were playing like this was the middle of May. “Just another game”
If we add no FA or trades but do resign Andujar.
C Stephenson / Trevino
DH Andujar / Steer
1B Stewart / Steer
=================
2B Arroyo / McLain
3B Hayes / McLain
SS EDLC / McLain
=================
RF Marte / Benson
CF Friedl / Benson
LF Rodriguez / Steer
I realize Arroyo, and maybe even Rodriguez won’t be ready for opening day, in the meantime guys like Callihan, Urbaez, Dunn, and Hinds can hold those 2 spots.
Now I’m hoping we sign a FA or trade for a hitter or two. This failure in the wildcard round should also alert us to our pitching is more fragile than we’d like to admit to ourselves. We really should add a couple of high leverage arms to the pen.
Greene, Abbott, Burns, Lodolo, Singer as starters and in AAA Lowder, Petty, and Aguiar.
We need a closer, (Chapman), and a setup man (no idea). Our pens biggest problem pitchers in the wrong roles. Adding a closer and a proven setup man should help the other guys fill in where they should.
The 6 below feel like locks to me.
1 Chapman (0) options
2 Setupman (0) options
3 Santillan (0) options
4 Ashcraft (2) options
5 Phillips (2) options
6 Williamson (2) options
Then for the final 2 spots I’d want these 4 competing in spring.
1 Richardson (1) option
2 Maxwell (3) options
3 Mey (3) options
4 Franco (3) options
Then we have a couple of guys who could be in the mix just behind them as the season progresses.
1 Miller
2 Kravetz
3 Acuna
4 Kuncl
Always enjoy reading your analysis.
Red Sox extended Chapman in August I think so I think he’s out.
I really think Marte is going to take a step forward next year. And Elly’s legs will be back to normal. Add one proven bat to Marte/Elly in the middle of the lineup and it will change the dynamic.
Then if Stewart steps up, maybe it is foursome in the middle.
I’m not high on Arroyo. He might be a good utility guy eventually though.
Spend the $120M for Schwarber, or dispense the coffers for Alonso. It’s time. The team is ready to take a step and needs that bat. Or alternatively trade Lodolo for a controllable big bat and maybe resign Martinez or Littel or similar to fill out the rotation. With the arms we have coming back (Williamson, Lowder, Aguiar) we should be able to somewhat cover the loss of Lodolo.
Thanks, I usually think that my posts only interest me.
I didn’t catch that Chapman was extended. There is still a need at closer, even though we’d need to fill it with another player.
Schwarber would be huge for the Reds. He’s everything that we’re missing, plus the local ties. That combo would make him an instant fan favorite, and drive ticket sales.
I’m a bit higher on Arroyo than many others on here.
If I could really do what I want I’d put him at SS, and have EDLC in CF. I think that would be an excellent defenseive.
LF Friedl, CF EDLC, RF Marte
We all saw Marte rob that HR, with more reps in the OF I think he’ll make a good RF.
3B KBH, SS Arroyo, 2B McLain
KBH is one of the best defenders in baseball irrespective of position.
The only question is Stewart going to become a good defender at 1B. He’s going to need some time to tell us that answer.
Chapman extended by the Red Sox
Great stuff MBS!
Here’s something I threw together a few weeks ago to give us a starting point before all of the off season transactions begin.
The following is a look at the roster once all 60 Day IL folks are pulled back and with all FA removed (Including the 2 team options), and assuming all Arbitration eligible players are tendered.
It leaves us with a 39 man roster with an estimated payroll of about $84 M. I’ll firm up the Arb estimates when MLBTR releases theirs.
I’ve also listed the number of options that I believe players will have for next year.
Also has the FAs listed at the end along with a few players that are Rule 5 eligible and may require roster spots as well.
Hope it’s helpful, enjoy!
2026 Roster
Position Name Salary (Millions) Note Options
CF Friedl 2.00 Arb 1 Estimate 2
1B Stewart 0.78 Pre Arb Estimate 3
SS De La Cruz 0.80 Pre Arb Estimate 2
RF Marte 0.80 Pre Arb Estimate 1
LF Steer 2.00 Arb 1 Estimate 3
DH Lux 5.00 Arb 3 Estimate
C Stephenson 6.50 Arb 3 Estimate 2
3B Hayes 7.00
2B McLain 2.00 Arb 1 Estimate 3
C Trevino 5.25
IF Espinal 3.00 Arb 3 Estimate
OF Hinds 0.78 Pre Arb Estimate 1
OF Benson 1.00 Arb 1 Estimate 1
SP Greene 8.33 3
SP Lodolo 5.00 Arb 2 Estimate 3
SP Singer 10.50 Arb 3 Estimate
SP Abbott 0.80 Pre Arb Estimate 3
SP Burns 0.80 Pre Arb Estimate 3
RP Santillan 1.50 Arb 1 Estimate
RP Moll 1.30 Arb 2 Estimate
RP Ashcraft 1.00 Arb 1 Estimate 2
RP Gibaut 1.50 Arb 2 Estimate
RP Richardson 0.78 Pre Arb Estimate
RP Phillips 0.78 Pre Arb Estimate 1
RP Mey 0.78 Pre Arb Estimate 2
RP Maxwell 0.78 Pre Arb Estimate 2
Released
IF Candelario 13.0
Total Salary 83.76
Minors
C
C Banfield 0.78 Pre Arb Estimate 2
IF
IF Encarnacion-Strand 0.80 Pre Arb Estimate 2
IF Callihan 0.78 Pre Arb Estimate 3
OF
OF Vilade 0.78 Pre Arb Estimate
OF Dunn 0.78 Pre Arb Estimate 1
SP
SP Lowder 0.80 Pre Arb Estimate 3
SP Williamson 1.00 Arb 1 Estimate 2
SP Petty 0.78 Pre Arb Estimate 2
SP Aguiar 0.78 Pre Arb Estimate 3
SP Spiers 0.78 Pre Arb Estimate 1
RP
RP Zulueta 0.78 Pre Arb Estimate
RP Sanmartin 0.78 Pre Arb Estimate 1
RP Benschoter 0.78 Pre Arb Estimate
FA
SP Martinez
RP Pagan
OF Hayes 12.00 Mutual Option
RP Suter 3.00 Club Option
RP Barlow 6.50 Club Option
SP Miley
SP Littell
OF Andujar
Rule 5 Eligible
IF Arroyo
OF Rodriguez
OF Jorge
IF Balcazar
OF Allen
Thanks Tom. This post deserves its own RLN article.
Nice, very handy
Teoscar Hernandez not Kiki had the error.
It’s Kike(accent on the e) but I understand why most of us wouldn’t want to print his nickname
Im not sure in the present financial structure of the game for a team like the Reds, making the playoffs might be their high water mark.
Listening to his interview Sal Stewart is taking yesterday’s loss pretty hard and blames himself for it, Lack of a hit with bases loaded and error in same inning.
Good on Sal. He’ll learn. He got worked by a vet pitcher throwing nasty junk, and Martinez did him no favors on the throw.
Also, Sal is the reason the Reds were in the game at all.
Looking at the box score for last night’s game is emblematic of several of the Reds’ losses this season! Opportunities to score with the bases loaded and less than two outs but NO clutch hits! Reds had the bases loaded 3 times I believe and only scored ONE run!
In addition, the batters for this 2025 Reds team have the propensity to strike out way too often as evidenced again with 13 SOs last night, several of those at key run scoring opportunities!
Just hoping the Reds’ FO makes some improvements during the off-season to improve the team for the 2026 season!
Thanks again, Doug, for putting up with all of us this season! Especially this old, grouchy lifelong Reds fan- Dennis Westrick
We were never going to win games 12-10 or 10-8 against LAD.
Reds pitching laid an egg at the wrong time. Simple as that.
We needed to win 5-3 or 4-2.
So close and yet so far. Hopefully just the experience and pressure of postseason play will be useful as a driver for guys next year.
I’d have to think about some superlatives and negatives, but this should be an interesting offseason. It better be, at least.
Glass half full thoughts :
Martinez and his $21 million is off the books
Scott Boras and Matt McLain wasn’t interested in long term contract
Full off season to daydream of Bob Castellini to sell team ( our biggest problem)
Starting pitching should be even better / deeper
Since you the asked the question, the key moment for me was when Lodolo was pulled from the game after throwing only 14 pitches and doing very well on the mound.
I’ll have plenty of thoughts on these two games, on this season, and on planning for next year, but not today. Today I want to thank and congratulate Doug Gray and the RLN team on another terrific year. This is my online baseball home and I couldn’t be happier or prouder. Doug you do a fantastic job with far too little appreciation and remuneration. Thank you a thousand times over. You are the man!
Well said – agree 100%
A debt of gratitude indeed.
A few random thoughts…
First off, it was an enjoyable season overall. Better than last year, but not near as fun as 2023.
We won 83 games this year. I hope that’s a stepping stone and not a ceiling. We also won 83 games in 2021 and won 82 games in 2023 with no starting pitching.
Our starting pitching COULD be excellent next year. Krall has work to do on offense.
I hate the Hayes trade so much. If he was going to be used as a spot starter and late inning defensive replacement, that would be fine. But I don’t see that happening with Tito here. And that’s a problem for next year with 3rd being Sal Stewart’s primary position. We need offense. Sal needs to be given a legitimate chance to make the team. Yes, he can play 1B if needed I guess.
Making the playoffs was exciting. I don’t care that it was partially due to a Mets collapse. We could have folded too, and it looked like we were going to a couple of ties. But in the end, we did what it took.
Playing in the playoffs was not fun. I don’t understand many moves by Tito, as has been stated many times by others above. Pitching was our strength, yet our top six pitchers only logged a total of 5.2 innings in the two playoff games. There were some legit reasons for that. But no legit reasons for Lodolo’s 1.2 innings and coming out of last night’s game (barring injury).
Thank you to Doug and all the RLN writers and participants. It’s rare I’m not checking in daily during the baseball season. There’s not a better place to follow the Reds.
And now it’s time for the offseason, where in a perfect world ownership will be a little more generous with payroll, and Krall makes some shrewd moves to add a couple of bats while keeping our starting pitching intact. And if this doesn’t happen, we still have RLN as an outlet to complain.
Here’s hoping all the big payroll teams lose ASAP, especially the Dodgers, Yankees, and Phillies.
Go Reds!
Well said…especially hoping that this is a stepping stone, not a ceiling.
Reds aren’t parting with at least 30 million a year for Schwarber or Alonso. So please please stop with the nonsense. Hoping they sign soon so I don’t have to read about it all winter. Bob isn’t giving up that kind of money. It’s like you all just started watching baseball. Bobs interested in $15 million and down and that might be a stretch.
Ha, that kind of “nonsense” is all we have to hold onto at times as Reds fans. Don’t take away our fun this offseason.
You do know that with Martinez, Lux, Hays, and Espinal coming off the books, that’s $30m, right?
In other words, they could keep the exact same payroll as this year, and still add Alonso or Schwarber.
Also Taylor Rogers $11 Million is coming off the books. Likely Pagan will be coming off the books as well.
I would keep Pagan, and pay for it, too. Who else is going to close? Santillan is not enough, although he will close and set up too for 2026.
The Reds bullpen needs more depth and quality.
They’ve already non-tendered Lux and Espinal who are Arbitration eligible?
Cl3J I’ll give you a hundred dollar bill if they sign either of them. It’s not happening.
@Tom – Wow… Non-tendering Lux is actually quite surprising. Yes, he is 3rd year arbitration but I can’t think he’d get a giant raise. Lux can hit RHPs and they represent the majority of pitchers. Lux also plays a decent 2B. I really don’t like him anywhere else though and there is a good chance that his limited versitality is why they non-tendered him. Still, could have tendered him and tried to move him in a trade. Seems silly to just let him walk but I guess the Reds thought “If we can’t move him we are stuck with him and his .”
@JB – Careful making bets like that. A long time ago there was a poster here called the CheviotSportsAuthority. He and I used to have spirited if cordial arguments over many things. At one point he bet me a meal at Zip’s Cafe (if I won) versus a meal at Price Hill Chili (if he won). I don’t recall what exactly we were betting on. He is no longer with us but the fact that I won and he did in fact meet me and pay for our meals at Zip’s Cafe helps him stick out in my memory. I doubt you’re going to owe C3J a crisp C-Note but it isn’t impossible 😉
The Reds win when they have an experienced manager Tito, Dusty Baker, Davey Johnson and Lou Pinella. When they have guys like David Bell and Bryan Price the team is lost.
I think Tito has done a remarkable job. We have a lot of would be managers here who think they know better than a soon to be HOF manager. Its hilarious.
He sure knew better! Boatraced by LA in both games.
Tito is a well respected vet manager with a great resume. It is clear that he helped the team in many aspects this season, and most likely they dont get the 6 seed without his guidance.
One big hit would have changed both games. HOWEVER – Tito managed these past two games poorly. Starting a deadline acquisiton in an elimination game. Leaving Littell in too long (was elevating pitches beginning in inning 2) and then hooking Lodolo too soon was awful.
Letting Hayes take key ABs was suspect, especially with options on the bench. The Andujar/Benson switch was a fiasco that most likely signals the end of Benson’s career here.
If youre saving Abbot for game 3, you have to get there.
Maybe Tito gets “his” players next year and gets the team humming. I hope so.
But the choices he made under bright lights in a win or go home scenario were puzzling at best and didn’t work. People are justifiably upset and I hope that you can see why, even if you disagree.
It’s easy to second guess a manager. You don’t what he knows. You don’t know what was going on behind the scenes. When you win as many games and championships as Tito then I will give your opinion more weight.
Such virtue signaling. You wont even listen to someone else’s arguments. Sickening.
Jesse – You stated Hunter Greene was talking smack. You were asked multiple time to provide a link to support that statement. I have searched on line and couldn’t find anything saying Hunter Greene was talking smack. So again, Can you provide a link to support your claim that Hunter Greene was talking smack before the Dodgers series?
Because making up stuff is pretty sickening.
Sal Stewart blames himself for the loss:
https://blogredmachine.com/sal-stewart-takes-blame-wild-card-loss-could-actually-be-reds-hidden-solution?utm_campaign=FanSided+Daily&utm_source=FanSided+Daily&utm_medium=email&sc=c3a8b03aa4675c74ec4c35e25be58c93e3c61b5ef7e6fc8f70a8923b59647687
I like this kid. He’s a fierce competitor and works very hard to improve.
As far as his error at 1B I blame the Reds more than I do him. As soon as Krall traded for KBH Stewart should have spent at least half of his time at 1B. As it was he only had a couple of starts there before coming up to play 1B as his primary position for the Reds. The play where he had to move to his right and then make a good throw to a cutting pitcher covering 1B is one of the toughest plays a first baseman has to make.
Fun fact: Sal Stewart is the youngest position player ever to start a post season game in the entire Reds franchise history.
Though it was only two games, I think it was great experience for Sal (and several of our other young guys too). Glad Sal got the start in game 2.
I agree! It’s not often that a 21-year-old rookie gets to experience a MLB playoff series! Hopefully Sal learned from that and will continue to get better in the coming years!
He’s too hard on himself. He got 2 hits with RISP, that’s incredible. Breaking ball low and away got him but the thing is breaking ball low and away gets every player. Sometimes you just have to tip your cap to the pitchers.
Sal’s AB in the first inning last night when he got 2 strikes quickly then laid off 2 devastating splits just below the zone before the single…….MM, Benson, Hinds, CES, Stephenson and a few others would have never laid off those 2 pitches, particularly in that situation with 2 outs and RISP. They’d have been fishing and walking back to the dugout.
That one AB told me A LOT.
I do think Marte would have laid off those. I’ve seen him do it many times this year.
Sal and Marte have promise. There’s our future.
Stewart really seems like a winner. He has that confidence, but not cockiness, that they I think have lacked overall. I hope he stays healthy, as I’m kind of excited to see what he could do over a full season.
Possibly a batting title in his future?
Hey, have they FIRED old Burnt Out Francona yet?
It was a fun, yet frustrating season. I’m excited for what the future holds. I predict EDLC, McLain, and Stephenson have big years next year…even though I agree that McLain really has to earn it after this year’s showing. I am very excited about the starting pitching…Greene, Lodolo, Abbott, Burns, Singer, Lowder, Petty, Williamson, etc.. I am completely still perplexed at the Hayes trade…not sure what their plan is there.
This year was a step in the right direction, even though it felt like the potential was never reached.
Thank you for providing this site Doug. It makes the season, and offseason, much more fun to follow the Reds. It is by far the best Reds site.
The Reds weren’t expected to make the playoffs. They did, backing into the WC thanks to the Mets horrible collapse. It was fun while it lasted, but no one, my comments notwithstanding, really expected the Reds to beat the Dodgers, especially given the ridiculous series format. What the series showcased is that while the Reds pitching is good, it’s not as good as it’s cracked up to be. Secondly, the Reds “stars” did virtually nothing in the series. Third, it showcased the overall weakness of Krall’s roster construction. Hayes is not a game-changer despite his glove. A good number of players need to walk and not let the door hit them in the rear. Fourth, Krall didn’t do his job, likely won’t do his job, and won’t secure the hitting that the team needs this offseason. Maybe he surprises us. Finally, for those bashing Tito and saying Bell would have done as well are seriously ignoring history. Bell has had better teams than the 2025 Reds and did nothing. And Tito’s moves weren’t nearly as inexplicable as the typical Bell stunt. Krall on the other hand? Leaving guys like Stewart in Louisville as long as he did was simply managerial negligence. Let’s just hope none of the Reds coaching staff decides to teach Big Sal how to hit.
A few end of season comments.
1 – Another big thank you to Doug – simply excellent work on this and the RML site. Support it and him – https://www.patreon.com/redsminorleagues.
2 – Many, many comments, but I’m with Oldtimer both in age and inclination. This was a fair to good season, and ended about as aptly as possible.
3 – As good as their pitching was (but not great) the Dodgers are clearly better, and showed how good the Reds pitching is. It’s good, but needs improvement.
4 – Many, many experts have long noted that bench management is not nearly as important as most believe. That said, though, they clearly squeaked into the playoffs, so if Tito et. al. were worth just one game, there it is.
5 – As usual, the big issue going forward is ownership, and then the FO, and then field management. In that order. They’re still 2 serious hitters and a few lesser pitchers away from deeper playoff contention.
6 – Finally, what an excellent set of writers and comments throughout the year. Again, much praise to Doug and staff, but also to the rest of those commenting however sporadically.
One need i see is the need for an honest referendum on Krall’s approach to roster construction and thus style of play
If it’s fair to say the roster is designed for pitching, defense and an offense oriented towards higher contact/lower power, then it seems important to evaluate whether that suffices for both regular season and second season. This is obviously in response to the outcome of a small ball team playing a juggernaut, but those teams are several of the ones who we will have to go through to advance.
My second point is who will conduct this evaluation. There is, IMO, a need not to have Krall and Co. evaluate themselves. This is more than a ‘call for a consultant.’ Given the obvious limitations of the roster, however, I see a need for an evaluation of senior management. I just doubt Team Castellani has it in them to act with this degree of openness and honesty.
Dave – you may have answered your question – if ownership would do this they’d also likely have made player moves which would obviate doing this. Sure, the player moves would cost far more than this sort of review, but both issues go to my point emphasizing that ownership is far more responsible for the outcomes than either FO or field management.
Bluntly, they’re $20-$40M under the necessary amount. That would truly show everyone if the issue is FO decisions, or game management.
The Reds pitching was uneven, to be kind. There were times when the starting pitching was pretty good, and other times, not so good. This is pretty true of most ML clubs. Good starting pitching is probably the hardest commodity to develop, evaluate correctly and rate.
The bullpen could definitely be better. They need at least one or two real good left handed relievers. Suter is not the answer; he’s a great guy, but he gets by with being wiley (coyote) and changing speeds (slow to very slow speeds 😉 )
I don’t think Martinez will be back for $21 Mil, but he might be back for a lot less. He did not have the year in 2025 that he had in 2024.
Is Ke’Bryan Hayes the answer at 3rd base? Do the Reds try and trade him (who would take him?) and pay off part of his salary for someone to take him? He is not the answer at 3rd base.
Where do the Reds get the free agents to fill the empty slots at their budget salary level? Tom Diesman did a good run-down on what the projected salary budget could be, but remember, the Ownership group is pretty tight-fisted with money.
As of right now, Jeimer Candalario could be the highest paid player for 2026…think again about that monumental screw-up.
I know it will never happen, but just imagine if the Reds signed both Alonso AND Schwarber.
Imagine this lineup:
CF Friedl (L)
RF Marte (R)
DH Schwarber (L)
1B Alonso (R)
SS EDLC (S)
LF Andujar (R)
2B Steer (R)
C Stephenson (R)
3B Stewart (R)
There is not an easy out in that entire lineup, and the top of the order could be downright scary if Marte develops into a 25+ HR hitter who can also get on base at a good clip.
Again, I know it won’t happen. But… Boy, what a thought.
It definitely would be the worst defense in the league.
this is the kind of lineup we need, honestly. to go into next season with the same weak spots just won’t cut it.
Thanks to Doug and everyone else for the commentary this season!
I think there is a promising group to supplement going forward. My biggest questions to Tito:
1 – why did he shut down the running game? Last year they had 7 different players with at least 10 net SB (steals over caught stealing), totaling 130 between them. This year it was 2, totaling 45. I think that would have helped the offense and brought some aggression into the players psychology, which seemed to be missed at times.
2 – who is responsible for the lack of offensive development across the board with largely the same – and even better, more experienced – players? Aside from Marte, was there anyone else who actually took a step forward? I thought the organization was (rightly, imo) focusing more on using the whole field, and situational hitting over the 3 outcome approach. This similar core group brought this approach to the forefront in 2023, and the city fell in love with it. Is this on the hitting coach, or why isn’t this approach being required as a condition of playing time? I don’t know how many times with 2 strikes, I’ve said please please please try to take it the other way rather than pull swing over and over. The failure of any type of meaningful adjustments this season, much less game to game or within the games is baffling for a team that is operating with much less resources than most of its (playoff) competition.
I did enjoy his postgame interviews quite a bit better, and do think the players played hard for him. His career success speaks for itself. The players did play hard for Bell too, and the pitching health and depth this year was a major benefit to Tito that Bell never experienced, so I think he and the offensive coaching should need to answer some serious questions.
Krall and company has done a very good job at building a competitive roster, and one that a few key supplemental pieces could really help take a step forward with the returning core. But, I think Tito/Valaika need to be held accountable to the lack of offensive results (and development) this year.
#2 – Yes…most emphatically. They have shown to be very competent when using an oppo hitting approach. We’ve seen most every player capable of doing it. It just seems like in RISP or 2 strike situations they abandon the approach altogether. I would almost make it mandatory for them to do it for several weeks at a time, just so they can gauge if it’s successful.
Obviously it can’t be a one sized fits all. Pitchers will pitch inside to combat it.
After making the playoffs due to the Mets collapse on the last day of the season the team seemed satisfied with just making the playoffs. Don’t get me wrong taking 2 of 3 from the best team in baseball in their park was admirable especially considering our history in Milwaukee, but it seemed like they had already accomplished their goal.
I think you make a great point, this team may have been satisfied getting into the playoffs. I am not sure they ever thought they could beat the Dodgers, both players and manager seemed to accept their destiny and were totally intimidated by the Dodgers. It would have taken some other worldly performances from somebody, namely Green and Elly and they fell way way short.
Let’s say, instead, that due to beating the team with the best record in baseball two out of three at that team’s home park, they made the playoffs.
I really am super impressed with the postgame interview with Sal after the game (but i do not think he cost us the win) it shows me that he “gets it” …..has a passion for the game, is hurting as much as the fans after a tough series loss. Now he will be a big help to this team next season….if I could see this in 2026: Stevenson catching, Sal at 1st, McLain at 2nd (new season-start over -bounce back year) Elly at short, Steer 3rd, Marte in right (Benson can maybe platoon with him if need be) TJ in center. and sign a big time bat to play left. Also, get a better backup catcher that can provide some offense. There is my dream for 2026
There’s a lot of different ways to look at this season and the Reds front office. Here’s my perspective and opionion
Terry Francona thoughts;
-Biggest positive from Francona I think is his experience/success, and keeping the Reds positive that they could still make the playoffs no matter how often they faltered late in the season, getting swept by the Athletics for instance, losing the first 2 to the Pirates, etc. It wasn’t that the Reds necessarily played great, but I think his experience and confidence helped them just to keep coming back the next day and believing they could get in. They could have completely folded when going under .500, but stayed afloat, and won necessary games against Chicago and Milwakee down the stretch.
One of the best moves he and maybe Krall/the organization made was going with Pagan as closer early and moving off of Alexis Diaz. Pagan blew some big games at times, but overall was very solid and solidified the bullpen. I think also showing confidence in Santillan and Ashcraft when they really were bad against the Cubs earlier, helped later in the season. I think Francona believes in players and sticks with them at times when I’d have moved to other players which can be an asset for later in the season.
-Some criticisms of Francona… I thought his handling of Elly De La Cruz was not great overall, keeping him hitting 3rd, and playing him every day all season when he was really struggling. It seemed EDC relaxed and played better the last 2 weeks after being put in the 6th spot. The Reds potentially could have won more games if that move was made 3-4 weeks earlier.
Also keeping Mclain hitting 2nd for so long I think hurt the Reds. Krall may have influenced that decision I think though too, I’m not quite sure.
I think Francona misread the moment a bit not playing Stewart more down the stretch, and some of the playoff decisions were frustrating not pinch hitting for Hayes, not bringing in Burns instead of Martinez. It seemed Francona was a bit set in his ways of playing certain veterans to me over the hot and more talented hands.
I’m arm chair quarterbacking a bit of course. In Francona’s favor I would say when your roster is less talented, you have to almost make the perfect move every time to compete with the big dogs.
Nick Krall/Front Office Thoughts:
-The Singer Trade for India was a pretty good one so far in the Reds favor.
-Martinez was overpaid a bit at 21 million, but I actually think that was a good move overall too. It solidified the rotation, and Martinez had a few key outings out of the bullpen down the stretch in the regular season. Overall though I think his most value was in the rotation for 3/4 of the season.
-Pagan was a good signing. He wasn’t great in 2024, but he was key to the bullpen in 25. I think overall his performance met the amount of money they gave him for 2 years.
-Littell and Andujar were solid additions at the break, provided depth, some Offensive pop.
-I think the jury is out on the Hayes trade, not because of who they gave up or money spent in my opinion. You wonder, what if they had Suarez in this lineup, does he hit a grand slam maybe in one of those games against the Dodgers giving you a chance to win? Perhaps, but still not good enough to beat the Dodgers.
-Ultimately the core young players haven’t met expectations yet in EDC, Mclain, Marte, CES. That’s where the power. was supposed to come from that fans complain about so much. Along with Candelario and others.
Krall has done some good things, but hasn’t been able to build a core of solid hitters 1-5/6 in the lineup. As frustrating as Hayes, and Mclain were at times, the key is that the 1-5/6 players aren’t good enough to really compete with the Dodgers/Brewers/Phillies/Cubs/Padres at this time.
Marte, Steer, Stephenson, EDC, Lux, Steer, Friedl, Hays…solid MLB players that would start on many teams, but not good enough right now or yet to really carry a team Offensively. Mostly those players would hit 6th or 7th on other playoff teams. They all have potential, of course EDC could be a superstar, and Friedl had a pretty good year with his OBP, but just not good enough as a group overall.
In closing;
I don’t know what the answers are to get the Reds from a Solid yet mostly mediocre 83 win team to say an 88-95 win team that wins the Division and at least possibly gets you a chance to be in the 2nd round.
The easy decision I think would be to;
-Put Stewart at 1B
-Move Steer to LF
-Hope Mclain has a bounce back year at 2B
-Hope Marte becomes a Star Hitter
-Hope Stephenson is better hitting next year.
A whole lot of hoping and guessing I think will most likely occur going into 2026 as far as the Offense goes. I wouldn’t totally blame them. I could be convinced of some of those arguments.
A bolder and more aggressive approach I think you’d look to somehow getting a difference making DH, Left Fielder, 3B, or potentially moving off of Mclain.
Who knows what they’ll do, but it’ll be interesting!
Just a few more thoughts…a few of my blunt ones I’d say.
I’d personally move on from Nick Krall and the front office and let someone else have a chance to formulate the roster. Krall has had 7-8 years to make his mark and while they made the playoffs, 83 wins this year and 2021 is the peak so far, and not very impressive with all the signings, player development, time given, etc.
I don’t think Krall is a bad GM, and would not be surprised if ever let go if he gets a chance somewhere else. I think he has some skills, but I think it’s time to move on.
That being said, if he stays, which I think he will…I hope he is able to not be too beholden to certain players he’s developed, drafted, traded for, such as Marte, Mclain, Ke’Bryan Hayes…
No one is going to be Preller from the Padres, and Preller is a bit crazy! But Krall needs a little more Preller in him…be able to pivot off of maybe a strategy or line of players you were hoping in, think more like the Brewers, Guardians, etc., be willing to trade Hunter Greene, Mclain, or Lodolo maybe, etc. Just my thoughts.
I would start McClain in AAA to begin the season. I am not sure Elly should be a switch hitter. I am pretty certain that Hayes will never be much of a hitter and will end up a late inning defensive replacement. Time to let Rece Hinds play everyday. Marte , Hinds, and Friedl is a nice outfield.
Lux and Steer should platoon at 2B with Stewart at 1B every game in ST. Can’t wait until 2027 when Duno is the starting catcher.
As far as pitching I would go with Lowder, Burns, Singer, Lodolo, and Abbott. See if some team will trade for either Abbott or Greene and give up a proven power bat . Come on Sacramento how about Greene for Kurtz?
With the season ending, looks like we will have the 19th pick in next year’s draft. Do the Reds go over slot on a high schooler or take a college player? I think we go with a College pitcher or position player. In a similar position, we drafted Collier with the 18th pick in ‘22 and McLain 17th in ‘21. Getting way ahead of myself as there will be FA, non tenders, rule 5 draft, ST and the first half of the ‘26 season that will come before the draft. lol. Really looking forward to the offseason and what the FO will do to bolster the roster
McLain had 400 plate appearances in his rookie year. Hit ‘290, had an OPS north of .800. I really hope that Sal becomes a terrific MLB hitter, but he’s had something like 60 at-bats. It’s good to have something to be enthusiastic, but I hope that Reds aren’t making too many assumptions about him yet.
I think it’s more panicked hope than assumption. We desperately need more offense next year, and there’s a good chance ownership isn’t going to pay for it.
You may well be right. It’s easy to be enthusiastic about Sal, particularly if you followed his minorleague career.. I doubt that Tito, the coaches and Krall are assuming stardom for him–they know how tough the game is and how well pitchers can adapt to a phenom—but I’m sure that they–like us–are hopeful.
“There’s a good chance ownership isn’t going to pay for it.”
For two decades, Red’s spending has largely remained consistent–they will break even, but attempt to avoid losing money. I would think that the Castellinis would trumpet it from the rooftops if they were going to break from this policy to try and stimulate season ticket sales to minimize losses.
There are two things to watch for early in the offseason that will impact Red’s spending. First, a replacement of the $550M league-wide ESPN contract, which right now has more than $18M in Red’s revenue at risk. Second, any changes to the Reds RSN deal. Based on reports of revenue changes with other franchises, the Reds RSN deal likely paid out at least $15M less in 2025 than it did in 2024. Improvement on either front could lead to a little more spending by the Reds.
Also, Red’s attendance had the fifth-highest jump per game in baseball. Using Baseball America’s revenue estimates of $100 per fan and given that MLB’s average attendance was collectively up about the same as Cincinnati’s, the Reds should get about $14M in additional revenue from fan attendance.
I mostly agree, but I’m not sure the Reds can afford not to take a chance on a top prospect like Sal Stewart. Giving a starting role to a rookie is a risk. I would suggest mitigating that risk rather than avoiding it. This can be accomplished by having better depth on the Major League roster or at AAA. In Stewart’s case, the Reds can have both by using Steer in a utility role and retaining CES at AAA. Also, first base should remain an option for bringing in a quality bat. After all, Stewart could become the full-time DH or move back to third base (very unlikely given the Hayes’ deadline acquisition).