Cincinnati is Eager to Win

Photo from Patrick Semansky (AP).

Following an 82-80 record from the 2023 campaign, the Cincinnati Reds knew they had some work to do this offseason to propel this team to be a championship contender. The 2023 Reds were filled with offensive talent; however, their pitching kept them from a postseason run, largely due to injuries.

Starting pitchers, Nick Lodolo, Graham Ashcraft, and Hunter Greene all dealt with injuries, causing the Reds to rely on rookies to carry the weight down the stretch of the season. The headline of the 2023 Reds season was all about the play of their rookie position players that led a high-powered offense, but ultimately failed to make the postseason due to poor pitching.

Nick Lodolo and Graham Ashcraft in dugout. Photo from Cincinnati Enquirer.

Cincinnati’s President of Baseball Operations, Nick Krall, and the ownership group involving the Castellini’s heard this message loud and clear. Cincinnati opened the offseason by signing relief pitchers Emilio Pagan, and Nick Martinez. Cincinnati was also linked to potential trades involving starting pitchers, Tyler Glasnow or Dylan Cease, but those rumors quickly died down when they signed pitcher Frankie Montas.

The signing of Montas quickly put together the Reds rotation. Barring any spring training surprises, expect to see a rotation of Greene, Lodolo, Ashcraft, Andrew Abbott, and Montas.

To go along with this, Cincy also solidified their lineup by signing infielder Jeimer Candelario, who hit .251 with 22 homeruns, and 70 runs batted in (RBIs) last season with the Chicago Cubs.

However, Cincinnati wasn’t done there, on January 13, 2024, Krall would go out and sign Cincinnati native, relief pitcher Brent Suter. In 2023, Suter posted a 3.38 ERA with 55 strikeouts for the Colorado Rockies.

Cincinnati has the young core to do big things and contend for a championship for the next several years. Going out and addressing their biggest need this offseason should have all Reds fans excited about the upcoming season.

Reds rookie phenoms, Photo from the Cincinnati Enquirer.

Cincinnati hasn’t won a playoff series in 34 years, with the last series win coming in the 1995 divisional round, where they swept the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Reds currently hold the longest playoff drought with the Detroit Lions win over the Los Angeles Rams just last week.

Similar to this Detroit team, the Reds have their best team in decades, and will be vying to end this streak in just nine short months.