3 reasons why 2023 will be better for Reds fans than 2022

The 2022 season was one that Reds fans just want to forget. The Cincinnati faithful waved goodbye to some of the most beloved players in team history and also lost 100 games.

The Cincinnati Reds traded four fan-favorites prior to the start of the 2022 season and then doubled-down with their rebuild at the trade deadline.

Reds Country is glad to have 2022 in the rearview mirror. But will next season be any better? There's certainly reason for optimism. Why will 2023 be better than 2023?

3 reasons why 2023 will be better for Reds fans.

The Cincinnati Reds enter the 2023 season with a tremendous amount of doubters. After bidding farewell to the likes of Jesse Winker, Eugenio Suarez, Sonny Gray, Luis Castillo, and Kyle Farmer, many experts and pundits don't expect Cincinnati to reach 60 wins next season.

But hope springs eternal and with the calendar flipping to the new year, there's definitely reasons to believe that the 2023 season will produce better results than 2022. Let's look at three reasons why next season will be better.

1. Mike Minor and Mike Moustakas are no longer part of the Reds roster.

Two of the biggest clunkers on the Cincinnati Reds roster last season were Mike Minor and Mike Moustakas. Minor left via free agency and Moustakas was DFA'd in December. Collectively, the duo made $26M in 2022 and was worth -1.6 bWAR.

2. The Reds have several impact rookies on the way.

The Cincinnati Reds have several impact rookies who are sure to make their debut in 2023. Matt McLain, Elly De La Cruz, Brandon Williamson, Spencer Steer, and Christian Encarnacion-Strand are all names that Reds Country should become familiar with.

3. A number of key Reds players return from injury.

The Cincinnati Reds were decimated by injuries in 2022. Joey Votto, Tyler Stephenson, Nick Senzel, Tejay Antone, Lucas Sims, and Tony Santillan all ended the year on the Injured List. Others like Hunter Greene, Nick Lodolo, and Jonathan India missed significant time as well.

Will the Cincinnati Reds post back-to-back 100-loss seasons? That remains to be seen. The front office added depth behind the plate in the form of Curt Casali and Luke Maile. The Reds also inked outfielder Wil Myers to a one-year contract.

Pitchers and catchers will be reporting to Goodyear in a little over a month. While it's unlikely that Cincinnati will be in playoff contention next season, things are looking up for the Ole Redlegs.