The 2025 season proved to be a challenging one for the Cincinnati Reds. They fought hard during the regular season, just making the postseason and breaking a four-year playoff drought.
Unfortunately, they would face off against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the Wild Card. So, they certainly drew the short end of the stick on that one.
With a postseason appearance, the fanbase came into the winter with some newfound hope. However, much of that hope has been squandered with a relatively quiet offseason.
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The Reds' lackluster offseason sparks concern from MLB analyst
Cincinnati has only made a handful of moves over the winter, and none have been league-altering. They struck deals with JJ Bleday, Pierce Johnson, Brock Burke, Dane Myers, and Jose Trevino.
They were one of the teams looking to acquire Kyle Schwarber and swung and missed on that one. So, with no major additions acquired, The Athletic's Chad Jennings is not impressed with what the club's direction has been over the winter.
"Gavin Lux is out, JJ Bleday is in, Emilio Pagan re-signed, and a bunch of new relievers are joining him in the bullpen. Ke'Bryan Hayes is still around from last summer's trade deadline. Is that anything?"
When you compare what they have brought in compared to what the Chicago Cubs have brought in the last few months, it's incomparable. This was an offseason in which Cincinnati could have improved, but it's unclear whether they actually did.
The starting rotation should have no trouble, but without acquiring another power bat, it will be on Elly De La Cruz and Matt McLain to handle a large portion of the offense.
Cincinnati could come out and surprise everyone, but they will need everything to click and to stay healthy to make any type of run in the division and return to the postseason again.
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