Cincinnati Reds: Buy or sell for the 2020 regular season

Buy or Sell: The Reds win the NL Central pennant

At the end of the day, this is question that all of Reds Country wants an answer to. Do the Cincinnati Reds have what it takes to win the National League Central and make the playoffs for the first time since 2013? You’ve got to like their chances, right?

Last year, the Reds rotation was the strength of the team. Luis Castillo, Sonny Gray and Trevor Bauer look to be a formidable trio at the top of the rotation. The two other starters aren’t too shabby either. I expect a big season from Anthony DeSclafani. Wade Miley is a nice addition and Tyler Mahle is waiting in the wings in the event one of the starters struggle.

A Reds offense that ranked 12th in runs scored last season got a tremendous boost this winter. Mike Moustakas and Shogo Akiyama were already expected to elevate Cincinnati’s mediocre offense. Add to that the surprising acquisition of slugger Nick Castellanos, and the Reds have the makings of a Top 5 offense in the National League.

The bullpen has more than enough arms to be, at the very least, league-average. Adding Pedro Strop gives Cincinnati another reliable reliever that David Bell can turn to late in games. Add to all the major league talent, the likes of Aristides Aquino, José De León and Tyler Stephenson, and the Reds have depth in the minor leagues as well.

This Reds team is prime for a run at the NL Central title. One could make the argument that the other four teams in the division did nothing to improve themselves heading into the 2020 season. In fact, I dare say that every team in the NL Central, except the Reds, got worse between the end of 2019 and Opening Day of the 2020 season.

Verdict: Buy