Firing Chris Valaika should be the start of sweeping changes for the Reds

At this point, fans have probably run out of words — all of them negative — to descibe the 2026 Cincinnati Reds offense. Terrible, horrible, no-good, and very bad are just a few that come to mind.

A quick look at the overall team statistics will show you just how bad this team has been in the batter's box. The Reds rank 24th in slugging percentage, 26th in OPS, 27th in runs scored, and are dead last in batting average and on-base percentage. Cincinnati also has the second-most strikeouts in all of Major League Baseball. In short, they stink.

Much of the fan angst has been directed at Chris Valaika; the Reds' Director of Hitting and the team's hitting coach. Given the team's poor production at the plate this season, there's little doubt that Valaika will be fired at the end of the season, if not before.

Okay, great. Let's assume Valaika's gone. But then what? Seriously, what's next? Once you've gotten rid of the so-called problem — though I'd refer to him as the scapegoat — what's the plan going forward? Is it assistant hitting Alex Pelaez? Or maybe Valaika's other assistant, Will Remillard? Really? Do you think that's going to solve anything? Because it won't.

This goes much, much deeper than just Valaika. It's an overall hitting philosophy, and one that manager Terry Francona has continually preached against. For those who want to argue that the hitting coach sets the vision for the team's approach in the batter's box, I'd counter by suggesting that Tito has plenty of say so in that regard and can veto any ideas that the Valaika brings his way.

The Reds' offensive problems go much deeper than Chris Valaika

None of this is to suggest that Valaika isn't culpable. But it's also worth pointing out that he took a team that ranked near the bottom in barrel rate last season (7.3%) — something that should result in more extra-base hits — and has them sitting just behind the New York Yankees for the top spot this season (9.3%).

Despite the increase in barrel rate and exit velocity, Cincinnati's expected batting average (.235) is still near the bottom of the league. Why? Two things, really. Strikeouts and launch angle. To be more succinct, the Reds are either striking out or hitting a routine pop fly, neither of which is ideal if you're trying to win a baseball game.

The Reds have the worst strikeout rate in baseball at 25.4%. The usual suspects are leading the way. Eugenio Suárez (34.8%), Elly De La Cruz (27.5%), Matt McLain (27.4%), Tyler Stephenson (27.2%), and Noelvi Marte (25.9%) are all striking out more than 25% of the time.

The fly ball rate is also a problem. League average is between 35-45% if you're trying to hit for power, but outside of De La Cruz, Sal Stewart, and JJ Bleday, Cincinnati doesn't have many sluggers. Yet three Reds players (Bleday, McLain, and TJ Friedl) all have a fly ball rate above 45%. Ke'Bryan Hayes (43.1%), Stephenson (42.9%), and Suárez (42.2%) aren't helping the Reds' cause either.

So, what are you left with? Again, two things. The Reds have a poor hitting philosophy and underperforming players. The first item can be solved by replacing Valaika — something the Reds can, and should do. The second, however, reveals a more troubling aspect of the organization, and that's roster construction. Which takes us back to — you've guessed it — Nick Krall and the front office.

So, if you're one of those Reds fans who's calling for Valaika to be fired, you're not alone, and you're probably on the right track. There's no way the architect of this team's hitting philosophy can maintain his position going forward.

But if you think that the teardown starts and stops with Valaika, I've got some oceanfront property in Arizona to sell you. Krall and the Reds front office need to get the boot as well. After that, it'll be up to a new regime to make the necessary roster moves, which might include saying goodbye to any player not named De La Cruz, Stewart, Andrew Abbott, or Chase Burns.

The offseason must involve some difficult (but necessary) changes. If it doesn't, the Reds will be sitting in the same spot again next September.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow