How does the MLB lockout affect the Cincinnati Reds?

Well, it happened. As we had assumed for months now, Major League Baseball's owners voted unanimously last night to institute a lockout.

This is the first work stoppage in the sport in nearly three decades. So, what does that mean for the Cincinnati Reds?

How will the MLB lockout affect the Cincinnati Reds?

Well, Cincinnati Reds owner Bob Castellini is off the hook. The team officially cannot sign any free agents - not that it's been an issue so far this offseason.

All kidding aside, transactions are now frozen. There'll be no free agent signings, no trades, nothing! Not until a new deal is reached.

This means that Sonny Gray, Tyler Mahle, and Luis Castillo will remain in a Cincinnati Reds uniform...for now.

It also means that Cincinnati's free agents (Nick Castellanos, Asdrubal Cabrera, and Mychal Givens) will not be able to sign with another team.

The Reds have not made any effort to re-sign any of those players, but perhaps that tone will change after the work stoppage is over.

The MLB lockout also affects players like Nick Senzel, Jesse Winker, and Tejay Antone.

All team facilities are closed to players. The aforementioned players are recovering from season-ending injuries and will not be allowed to rehab at the Reds' facilities in Cincinnati or Goodyear.

The MLB lockout also prohibits contact between players and coaches.

This is undoubtedly a blow to players like Hunter Greene, Nick Lodolo, and Vladimir Gutierrez; young pitchers who would certainly thrive under the tutelage of pitching coach Derek Johnson.

How long will this go on, you ask? That's to be determined, but baseball is a business, and once this work stoppage starts to affect the team's and player's wallets, we'll likely see some movement.

Cincinnati Reds fans should expect to hear little throughout the holiday season, but after Christmas, we might begin to see the two sides become increasingly closer to an agreement.

While the MLB lockout is in place, we'll be sure to bring you updates on your favorite players, speculative and informed opinions about the Reds' future, and take a look into the storied history of baseball's oldest franchise.