MLB poll signals Terry Francona hire could quietly reshape Reds’ free agency future

When the Cincinnati Reds announced Terry Francona as the team’s new manager this offseason, the organization went from overlooked to overhyped. Fans were rejoicing, and reporters were already handing the team a division crown. Now in mid-June, it’s obvious that a managerial change can’t completely transform a team, but Francona’s reputation as one of the most respected skippers in the majors may help shape the Reds’ future.

A poll of MLB players conducted by The Athletic (subscription required) revealed that Francona was among the managers that opposing players would most like to play for. The Reds skipper finished second behind the Texas Rangers’ Bruce Bochy. Such good will toward Francona may change the way players view coming to Cincinnati.

Respect around the league for Reds manager Terry Francona could entice players to Cincinnati

Due to the front office’s tight control of spending, the Reds haven’t really been a major player on the free-agent market in the past several years. In fact, Cincinnati spent the fourth-least on free agents this offseason and ranked in the bottom third of the league in overall spending.

If the Reds want to keep their belt tight, perhaps Francona’s popularity will lure free agents into team-friendly deals. The Reds have already made some shrewd moves in that department with Hunter Greene's extension and the Gavin Lux trade. Both players could command upwards of $100 million when they hit the market, unless Francona works some magic.

Francona has already had an impact on the players currently in the Reds’ dugout as current players speak glowingly of their new manager. Those relationships may also play into Cincinnati’s approach to player extensions. After all, it was under Francona’s tutelage that Jose Ramirez became one of the best players in the majors and signed a team-friendly extension that will keep him in Cleveland through 2028.

Francona himself is under contract with the Reds through 2027 with a club option for ‘28. During that span, the Reds could lose Lux, Austin Hays, Tyler Stephenson, Brady Singer, Emilio Pagan, and Nick Lodolo to free agency. That’s a large percentage of the central players of the Reds. In partnership with Nick Krall, Francona will have the opportunity to shape this team to his own liking.

Regardless of the Reds’ death grip on a .500 record, Francona’s mere presence on the team is a net positive. He’s made strides with homegrown talent in the past; the 2016 Cleveland club that made the World Series only added two free agents with significant impacts on the season: Rajai Davis and Mike Napoli.

All this is to say that Francona can work with what he has, but for a team that needs a little help and a little budgetary wiggle room, having the second-most popular manager in baseball never hurts.

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