Bold opening: The Reds are gearing up for a strategic offseason, not a splurge, and the real test lies in reshaping the bullpen while quietly enhancing the lineup. And this is where the debate heats up: can Cincinnati balance cost control with the push to win now?
ORLANDO — At the close of the winter meetings, Nick Krall, Cincinnati Reds president of baseball operations, laid out the plan for the months ahead: fortify the bullpen with reliable arms and elevate the position-player group with thoughtful additions. He reiterated that the 2026 payroll is expected to stay near 2025 levels, roughly $115 million to $120 million, which leaves about $5 million to $10 million of flexibility for new moves.
“I’ve never said we’d expand the payroll,” Krall emphasized. “Where our payroll stands is where we’re operating.”
When pressed about a potential bid for Kyle Schwarber, Krall explained that the Reds were pursuing creative ways to fit such a move into their framework. He suggested the confusion around that narrative came from a misinterpretation of Year 1 strategizing, not a firm commitment to a bigger budget. Deferrals were floated as part of the exploratory process.
Looking ahead, the bullpen stands out as an obvious area to address. Returning options include Emilio Pagán, Tony Santillan, and Graham Ashcraft, with Connor Phillips positioned to break camp in an advantageous spot after finishing 2025 strong.
Beyond that, the future is more fluid. Some upcoming free agents include Nick Martinez, Scott Barlow, and Brent Suter. Chase Burns, who spent last year in relief, is slated to return to a starting role in 2026.
Internal options could supply several arms. The Reds boast a promising wave of younger relievers—Luis Meza, Zach Maxwell, Lyon Richardson, and Yosver Zulueta—who have shown flashes but still must prove they can consistently throw strikes at the big-league level. Sam Moll and Keegan Thompson will also contend for bullpen slots.
Spring competition will be fierce, but there’s value in players who can anchor middle-relief roles and soak up innings—think Barlow- and Suter-like profiles who can stabilize games and carry a heavy load over a long season.
Trade-market dynamics in MLB presently tilt toward big-league–for–big-league exchanges, similar to the India-for-Singer deal last year. Cincinnati, however, isn’t flush with expendable starting pitching depth to part with. While six strong candidates could claim a rotation spot, several factors temper the trade value of that group: Burns enters his second pro season, Rhett Lowder missed 2025 entirely, Brandon Williamson’s activity has been limited since 2023, and Julian Aguiar, Chase Petty, and Jose Franco remain relatively unproven.
“We’ve seen these players rise in waves,” Krall observed. “Early on, you saw Lodolo and Hunter emerge with both bright moments and learning curves. Their development is ongoing—command, breaking balls, and fastball-to-slider control all need refinement. We’re focused on how they grow from here.”
A noteworthy aside that didn’t make many stories this week involves Terry Francona’s comment on managing TJ Friedl. Francona suggested the Reds could schedule more off-days to protect Friedl, who logged 148 games in center last season.
Krall also praised the center-field depth, spotlighting Blake Dunn as a developing asset. Dunn had a rough start in the majors last spring but turned in strong numbers at Triple-A from June onward. “He’s made real strides,” Krall said. “He brings speed, solid defense, and there’s real upside in him. He needs to keep growing, but the potential is there for him to become a quality center fielder.”
Dusty Baker, widely regarded as the Reds’ most successful manager of the 21st century, reflected on his time with the club from 2008–2013 with warmth and candor. He recalled conversations with veterans like Joey Votto, Bruce, and Phillips, and expressed the sentiment that Cincinnati let him go a year too soon after the 2013 Wild Card loss to Pittsburgh. Baker observed that the organization benefits from former big-league players who mentor young talent in the minors—figures such as Eric Davis and Lenny Harris—who help bridge the gap between prospect status and big-league readiness.
If Baker were advising on Elly De La Cruz’s development, he’d lean into the old baseball maxim: you don’t truly know what a young player can’t do until you see what they do wrong. The goal, he says, is to minimize mistakes as they occur, recognizing that some missteps are essential to growth. You can coach technique all you want, but real mastery comes from performing instinctively under pressure and building muscle memory through repetition.
2025 WXIX
Controversial take aside, the Reds’ offseason aims are clear: strengthen the bullpen with a blend of proven and emerging arms, push the lineup with disciplined acquisitions, and cultivate internal depth to sustain a long season. Whether these moves unlock a meaningful leap in 2026 remains a topic for you and the fanbase to debate. Do you prioritize a higher-ceiling starter pool that you’re hesitant to trade, or a dependable bullpen core that can anchor late innings? And how aggressively should Cincinnati pursue offensive upgrades in a market that prizes impact players? Share your thoughts in the comments—do you align with Krall’s measured approach, or would you push for a bolder, more aggressive strategy?
