Are the Reds Attempting to Win Again?
It’s no secret that the Cincinnati Reds are in complete rebuild mode, and have many issues surrounding their entire organization. The Reds have lacked a competitive edge for quite some time now, and this only got worse when they had a complete fire sale at the tradeline.
The upside to this fire sale: their farm system is now absolutely stacked. This system got even better when they signed Alfredo Dunn on January 17, 2023. Dunn is ranked as the number four international prospect in this class, and gives the Reds something they haven’t had in quite some time. A top international prospect.
With the addition of Dunn this farm system now includes guys such as Cam Collier, Noelvi Marte, Spencer Steer, Edwin Arroyo, Elly De La Cruz, Matt McClain, Brandon Williamson, and Jose Barerro.
Cincinnati is still a couple of years away from being competitor in the MLB, but with this farm system it seems like they have a chance to be good soon. The Reds have some great young players on their roster right now, such as Johnathan India, and Tyler Stephenson. With these young talents on contracts that will be expiring soon, it is vital that Cincinnati uses this farm system to win with while they still have some talent in the building.
Cincinnati has been in a constant rebuild for the last eleven years. Every time they say it’s time to start winning, they make one or two big acquisitions, and surround them with rookies. This has been the cycle year after year. To build a winning team, they must break this habit.
Obviously, the Reds were the first professional baseball team established. With only five championships to show as the oldest team in baseball, the Reds must commit to winning again. It has been 32 years since the Reds last won a World Series. That leaves a large group of fans that haven’t even seen this team compete, outside of the 2012 team that choked a 2-0 lead in the playoffs.
The addition of Dunn stacks their farm system and allows them the opportunity to trade some of these prospects for big time talent, similar to the way they acquired these prospects. Regardless, this organization must make a decision. Do they want to develop these prospects to contribute to a winning team, or do they want to trade them away for big time talent that can help them win.
Bottom line, it is time for the Cincinnati Reds to commit to winning, they owe it to their fans.