Will player losses stall progress?
Five issues facing the Reds:
Who’s the shortstop? It’s a position the Reds would love to upgrade. Freddy Galvis, now a free agent, was the starter for most of last season, but he didn’t match his defensive reputation. The Reds called up Jose Garcia in midseason to add defensive range to their infield, but he struggled at the plate as he made the jump from high Class A to the major leagues.
Free agents Marcus Semien and Didi Gregorius are top targets. Garcia will likely begin the season in Class AAA.
Fix the offense: The Reds thought they improved their offense when they signed Nick Castellanos, Mike Moustakas and Shogo Akiyama during the 2019 offseason. Then their season ended because they couldn’t score a run across 22 innings against the Braves in the wildcard round, their first playoff appearance in seven years.
The offense was problematic all season with an MLB-low .212 batting average and the third-fewest runs per game (4.05). There were signs that bad luck played a part (an abnormally low .245 batting average on balls in play), but the Reds scored about 60% of their runs through homers.
No more Bauer: The rotation remains the strength of the club, but the Reds will have to do more with less after Trevor Bauer became a free agent. Luis Castillo and Sonny Gray highlight the top of the rotation, giving the Reds a 1-2 punch who can match up with top teams, but there are more questions with their other three starters.
Wade Miley was sidelined with injuries for much of the 2020 season. Tyler Mahle is a breakout candidate after lowering his home run rate, and the Reds will have a competition for the fifth starting spot between Michael Lorenzen, José De León and Tejay Antone.
Bullpen help: As the Reds sought to reduce payroll following a season without fans, they traded closer Raisel Iglesias to the Angels in a salary dump and they cut Archie Bradley at the non-tender deadline.
Now they’re without their closer and setup man from the end of the 2020 season.
Lefty Amir Garrett has been vocal about his desire to become the team’s closer. Garrett held left-handed batters to a .043 batting average (one hit in 23 at-bats) last year. Lucas Sims was the Reds’ most reliable reliever in 2020, his first year as a full-time reliever. Antone will likely be used in high-leverage situations if he doesn’t win a job in the rotation.
The Reds would like to add more highupside relievers before the start of the season.
Nick Senzel: The outfielder received a standing ovation before his first MLB plate appearance as the team’s No. 1 prospect. He’s shown glimpses of being a future star, but he’s had a lot of trouble staying on the field because of injuries or illnesses. He played in just 23 games last year, producing a .186 batting average and .247 on-base percentage.
For the offense to improve, the Reds need him on the field.
OFFSEASON OUTLOOK
A year after the Reds were aggressive in free agency, they have cut payroll and will try to compete with a weaker roster. Other NL Central teams are in similar positions, so the Reds have a chance at a divisional title if their offense improves.
2020 record: 31-29
Third place, NL Central; lost to Braves in wild-card round