Cincinnati Reds: 5 bold predictions for the 2021 season

How might the Cincinnati Reds 2021 season unfold?

The Cincinnati Reds are wrapping things up in Goodyear, Arizona and the fanbase cannot wait for Opening Day on April 1st versus the St. Louis Cardinals at Great American Ball Park. The expectations around this year’s team seem low, but there’s still a lot of talent on the ball club. Can David Bell bring out the best from his guys? What are five bold predictions for the upcoming season?

This year’s Reds team feels like an anomaly. After making some big-name signings last offseason, Nick Krall and the Cincinnati front office spent this winter avoiding the free market, with Sean Doolittle as the lone major-league signing. Dee Strange-Gordon, who signed a minor-league deal, looks to be in line for a spot on the 26-man roster as well.

There’s certainly concerns, among the fanbase at least, that Cincinnati failed to address the need at shortstop. Kyle Farmer looked like the odds-on favorite to be the lineup on a regular basis, but recently, Eugenio Suárez has taken over at shortstop. While Krall did add several bullpen arms, most were underwhelming. However, the additions of Cam Bedrosian and Cionel Pérez could pay dividends this season.

There’s a lot to like about this year’s Reds team, but there’s definitely areas of concern as well. Will the big-boppers (Nick Castellanos, Mike Moustakas, and Eugenio Suarez) return to form in 2021? Can Nick Senzel make it through an entire season unscathed? Will Joey Votto be, well, Joey Votto?

This year’s Cincinnati Reds team is quite the mystery, but that’s not a bad thing. Heading into the 2019 season, expectations were elevated, yet the club was out of contention before August. In 2020, the pitching staff carried the team to the playoffs, but the lack of hitting was the team’s undoing. What will happen in 2021? Let’s see if some of our bold predictions come to fruition.