Am I wrong to think this?

[JFLegal]

I fully believe Terry Francona would have not taken this gig if he was not given at least some assurances that payroll would increase. Not by a lot, but would increase. I understand that most of us are jaded based on the history of this franchise for the last ~30 years, but I've even seen some posters on this board say they won't be surprised if the Reds' team salary stays steady or even drops. I know the TV situation makes the equation even more difficult, but I maintain there is no way a guy like Tito Francona would have taken this job if he didn't know the team was at least going to make more of an effort to win.

[westofyou]

Stockholm syndrome is a hell of a thing

[JFLegal]

Stockholm syndrome is a hell of a thing

This is my guy WOY confirming, yes, it *is* wrong of me to think this.

[westofyou]

This is my guy WOY confirming, yes, it *is* wrong of me to think this.

We want it... it just really isn't going to happen that way.

Which is sad

[JFLegal]

We want it... it just really isn't going to happen that way.

Which is sad

No snark, you honestly think an accomplished (lock future HOFer) manager like Francona would have taken this gig without assurances from ownership that they would increase the payroll?

[westofyou]

No snark, you honestly think an accomplished (lock future HOFer) manager like Francona would have taken this gig without assurances from ownership that they would increase the payroll?

I do, the game is in these guys blood, it makes them tick and that draw can be big for lifers like Terry. Even if they have a ring

[mth123]

No snark, you honestly think an accomplished (lock future HOFer) manager like Francona would have taken this gig without assurances from ownership that they would increase the payroll?

He might have just been looking for a way to get back in the game. He's 65 and may want to continue managing for a while. He was out of the game last year and 2023 he managed a bad Cleveland team to 76 wins. He may just not want to go out a loser and this was a way to get back in the game. He was quoted as saying Payroll was never discussed during the interviews that resulted in him accepting the job.

[redsfandan]

We want it... it just really isn't going to happen that way.

Which is sad

I still want to believe. I want to believe they'll add a big bat to the lineup. That's all I want for Christmas.

[JFLegal]

I still want to believe. I want to believe they'll add a big bat to the lineup. That's all I want for Christmas.

Exactly. Screw my two front teeth. All I want for Christmas is a masher in the middle of the Reds' order.

[herbdizzle]

I believe the Reds will operate at a modest increase in payroll in the 110-115 million range. Assuming Martinez, India, and Candy stays I expect a FA RF in the Conforto, Kepler, Winker, Profar group.

A couple cheap veteran Buck Farmer type relievers and a good backup catcher.

[Lex2020]

He's 65, so I'd guess that wherever he went, he probably was not planning to stay very long. I expect the core of this team next season is already in the Reds organization right now. There's been no shortage of trade rumors for India for a while. I hope he stays, but wouldn't be surprised to see him swapped for someone they think would fit needs better. I could see an increase in payroll, but not a huge one. If they bring in more players, where will they put them? I doubt they'll stockpile players anticipating more injuries, though that would have helped last season.

Infield appears to be filled, the biggest problem there is the boat anchor contract to Candelario. OF is a bit more suspect, though there are no shortage of returning players. I figure Friedl is in the plans for next season. If they move McLain out there, then 2/3 of the OF is set, maybe 3/3 if Steer returns to LF.

The rotation has several returnees. Greene is locked in, and I think Lowder will have a chance to be on the opening day roster. Abbott is turning out to be an adequate middle-rotation guy. Lodolo will start when he's not hurt, which should contribute another 100-120 IP. Maybe they'll bring Martinez back and I'd expect them to run Ashcraft out there some more. Perhaps they expect Burns to debut in 2025, and Petty made it to AAA for a couple of games last year so he's on the radar. Maybe Phillips can right his ship in the minors and Spiers can take a few starts. That's 9 or 10 guys to throw against the wall and see who sticks. Personally I'd be surprised to see them try and make a splash as big as Montas was one year ago.

We know this organization will not dedicate much budget to the bullpen. They're probably fortunate to have them perform as well as they have considering their lack of investment. The cheapest way to address closer is hope that Diaz will return to previous form. They didn't make any big waves when the picked up Farmer, Suter, and Moll, so they'll likely look for opportunity to take a chance on some other under-the-radar relievers.

To bring in much from outside would signal they've given up on the current personnel and I don't think they're to the point of doing that with many current Reds.

[JCM11]

If they spent 40 million this off season I would guess it's 15 to Martinez on a multi year deal or another SP, 10-15 million on an OF bat(an O'neill or Conforto type), 2-3 million for a backup C, and around 8-10 for a RP(I'm hoping for a Chapman or Roberston type with closer experience).

One cheap option to "fix" the OF is to put McLain out there. The problem is Candy and Marte looked awful at 3B in 2024. I'm in favor of leaving McLain at 2B, but 3B is a question mark as of now. One other option is to trade India for an MLB OF, they should be willing to throw in a prospect or two for the right return.

[NorthBerg]

Assurances can be made, but circumstances change. Francona may have been lured to Cincy due to promises and potential, but I would guess his return to baseball was driven be his inner desire to compete.

[dreghorntwo]

A hopeful viewpoint if you are an optimist.

Phil Castellini having been promoted to President and CEO and coming off a couple of years of, well, not good publicity, may not want his name associated with poor baseball now that he is running the show.

He might just be flat out tired of being the bad guy and the best way to rebuild his reputation is to commit to and be involved with a winning baseball team in Cincinnati.

A half-full thinking kind of individual might see this as a possibility.

[Kilgore_Trout]

A hopeful viewpoint if you are an optimist.

Phil Castellini having been promoted to President and CEO and coming off a couple of years of, well, not good publicity, may not want his name associated with poor baseball now that he is running the show.

He might just be flat out tired of being the bad guy and the best way to rebuild his reputation is to commit to and be involved with a winning baseball team in Cincinnati.

A half-full thinking kind of individual might see this as a possibility.

I took a shot of optimism in one of the preseason bold predictions threads where I suggested an unlikely redemption arc for the much maligned Phil Castellini. So I like your thinking here. Even if we’re wrong, your odds of dying aren’t vastly increased by seeing a glass half full.