5 areas where the Reds needs to invest this winter

The Cincinnati Reds are not as bad as some may have you believe. The Reds have a budding superstar in Elly De La Cruz, a top-10 starter in Hunter Greene, and an abundance of young talent, both in the major and in minor leagues.

But Cincinnati has some work to do this winter. The Reds underachieved in 2024 and David Bell lost his job because of it. Cincinnati dismissed their manager last week, and will turn the page heading into 2025 with a new skipper at the helm.

While the MLB trade deadline offers teams the opportunity to add a player or two for a stretch run in August and September, the offseason is where true roster construction takes place. What five areas do the Reds need to invest in this winter?

Reds must hire a new manager, preferably one with Major League experience

This seems rather straight forward, doesn't it? The Reds fired Bell just before the end of the season and named Freddie Benavides interim manager for the team's final five games. It's almost a certainty that Sunday's season-finale against the Chicago Cubs will be Benavides' last game leading the charge.

The Reds' first, and perhaps most important move this offseason will be finding Bell's replacement. Reds President of Baseball Operations Nick Krall cannot afford to screw this up or he may be joining Bell on the unemployment line.

The Reds will likely release a list of would-be candidates in the coming days, but hiring a first-time manager should not be part of the equation. It's not to say that the Reds can't win with a skipper getting his first crack at a big league job, but things have not gone well for Cincinnati's past two managers; both of whom were handed the reins for the first time ever at the major-league level.

Securing a right-handed hitting power bat should be atop the Reds' to-do list

Whether they swing a trade or make a splash in free agency, the Reds need to find a middle-of-the-order bat, preferably an outfielder. Cincinnati kicked this can down the road last winter and can't afford to do so again.

The Reds signed Jeimer Candelario, transitioned Spencer Steer into an outfielder, and called it a day. But that left them with the trio of Stuart Fairchild, Jake Fraley, and Will Benson vying for regular at-bats throughout the season. Players like Jacob Hurtubise, Blake Dunn, and Rece Hinds were given opportunities as well.

Steer is versatile enough that he can play all over the diamond, and his presence in the lineup should not force the Reds to shy away from a left fielder. But Cincinnati needs to either move De La Cruz to the outfield where his speed and arm strength will definitely pay dividends, or find a way to bring a power-hitting corner outfielder. Free agent to-be Anthony Santander would be a good place to start.

Who will play behind Tyler Stephenson as the Reds backup catcher in 2025?

Tyler Stephenson has asserted himself once again as QB1. The former first-round pick has been one of Cincinnati's most valuable players in 2024 and should be offered a contract extension this offseason. But the Reds need to find a capable backup.

Is that Luke Maile? Maybe. The Reds hold a club-option for Maile's services next season, and while the Kentucky native brings leadership to a team that's starved for it, a .506 OPS and below-average defense are hardly reasons to bring the veteran back in 2025.

The Reds need to evaluate their crop of young catching prospects this offseason. Cincinnati has invested a number of draft picks into the position over the past few years, and yet, no one has risen to the occasion. Alfredo Duno is seen as the future behind the plate, but MLB Pipeline predicts the 18-year-old won't even make his big league debut until 2028.

The Reds training staff needs to be reevaluated

This is a tough one, because injuries happen in the game of baseball. While a popular opinion on social media, the Reds training staff is not at fault for Matt McLain's injured shoulder or the numerous injuries incurred by Cincinnati's pitching staff.

But with so many injuries befalling the Reds this season (and in years past), a conversation needs to be had. Christian Encarnacion-Strand spent a prolonged stint on the injured list before a course of action was prescribed following a hit-by-pitch. Encarnacion-Strand landed on the IL back on May 8th but didn't undergo surgery until July.

Brandon Williamson's injury was also surrounded by controversy after it was pointed out by the Reds radio broadcasting crew that the left-hander was laboring during his final start. Williamson eventually exited the game early and will now undergo Tommy John surgery.

The Reds do not necessarily need to clean house when it comes to the training staff, but after being inundated with so many season-ending injuries, it stands to reason that Cincinnati needs to be sure that everything is being done to keep the players in tip-top shape throughout the season.

The Reds can't rely on their current pitching depth

The aforementioned injury to Williamson is one of the biggest reasons why the Reds cannot sit on their hands during the offseason. While Cincinnati has amassed a ton of talented young pitchers, none of them have proven that they can hold up to the rigors of a 162-game season.

The Reds need to do everything in their power to bring back Nick Martinez in 2025, even if that means extending a Qualifying Offer. While you'd like to pencil in Martinez, Greene, Andrew Abbott, Nick Lodolo, and Rhett Lowder for the Reds 2025 Opening Day rotation, injuries are part of the game.

Carson Spiers struggled down the stretch, Graham Ashcraft missed half the season, Connor Phillips couldn't find the strike zone down at Triple-A, and Julian Aguiar ended his season on the IL. The Reds must add to their pitching staff this offseason. Re-signing Martinez and Jakob Junis would be a good place to start.

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