5 Offseason Questions Reds Must Answer

[Ron Madden]

5 offseason questions Reds must answer after Francona hire

The Reds solved their biggest offseason question in expedient fashion by hiring Terry Francona less than two weeks after firing David Bell.

Still, many other issues remain, as president of baseball operations Nick Krall needs to give Francona an improved roster to work with.

"We have to figure out how to upgrade our defense, we’ve got to figure out how to upgrade our offense but also how we can use our players better too." Krall said.

"Some guys are going to have to come to Spring Training and actually earn spots," Krall said. "They’re not going to be given spots. We’ll see what happens with the offseason."

Krall and general manager Brad Meador also noted that Jonathan India could get opportunities at first and third base. Matt McLain is expected to be healthy after missing all of 2024 due to left shoulder surgery, and he should be the Reds' second baseman.

Continue Reading Here:
https://www.mlb.com/reds/news/reds-2...ason-questions

[Kc61]

In an earlier piece about firing the hitting coaches, Krall said he was looking for line drive hitters who make contact and use the whole field. Said that was more important than power, as line drives will get you homers at GABP.

Playing in GABP, the Reds should be a top five HR hitting team. Otherwise, there is no home field advantage.

So I’m a little distressed by the comment. Don’t agree with it.

[JCM11]

I found this interesting: Krall was asked if the Reds had enough starting pitching for next year.

"Do you ever?" Krall replied. "This year, they’re more established, but we still have holes in the rotation."

Sounds like he isn't as content with the rotation as I thought he might be.

[Ron Madden]

Interesting

Krall and general manager Brad Meador also noted that Jonathan India could get opportunities at first and third base. Matt McLain is expected to be healthy after missing all of 2024 due to left shoulder surgery, and he should be the Reds' second baseman.

[Ron Madden]

The Cincinnati Reds have some financial flexibility to work with this offseason.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/mlb...d=BingNewsSerp

[JCM11]

The Cincinnati Reds have some financial flexibility to work with this offseason.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/mlb...d=BingNewsSerp

If they match the 2024 payroll they will have roughly 20-30 to spend on FA depending on who opts out. That's not going to go very far in FA when you need offense, SP and RP. Until we hear the budget and know who's opting in or out there's no way of knowing. With the tv deal in limbo and them likely taking a haircut on that I wouldn't expect a substantial increase. They should be willing to spend during the Francona, Elly, Hunter window and IMO they need to be at 120 to fill the team needs adequately.

If it's around 100 again they will have to get creative, and Krall will have to deal some prospects for a bat or a SP.

[chicoruiz]

Okay… I’ll take a hack at five questions:

1) Will a completely new set of hitting instructors be able to refine the general Reds hitting approach, which right now seems to be limited to “Oh look… here comes a baseball”?

2) Will ownership be willing to pony up for the two front-line players most observers think they need: a big bat for the OF, and Nick Martinez or someone like him for the rotation?

3) How many outfielders on the current roster can be useful players on a winning team?

4) Will Tito make as much of a difference as we hope on team defense and avoiding mental mistakes?

5) Is Diaz ever going to harness his gifts enough to keep me from curling up into a ball every time he comes in to close a game?

[mth123]

Okay… I’ll take a hack at five questions:

1) Will a completely new set of hitting instructors be able to refine the general Reds hitting approach, which right now seems to be limited to “Oh look… here comes a baseball”?

2) Will ownership be willing to pony up for the two front-line players most observers think they need: a big bat for the OF, and Nick Martinez or someone like him for the rotation?

3) How many outfielders on the current roster can be useful players on a winning team?

4) Will Tito make as much of a difference as we hope on team defense and avoiding mental mistakes?

5) Is Diaz ever going to harness his gifts enough to keep me from curling up into a ball every time he comes in to close a game?

My shot at the answers.

1. No Coaches don’t matter. Need better players.
2. I hope so but will probably need to trade for cost controlled players.
3. Friedl (as a LF) and Fraley as a 4th OF
4. Defense will require better players. McLain is 1. Need aCF and a RF
5. Diaz is a Serviceable closer. I’m more worried about innings 6 through 8.