Reds' biggest failure somehow escaped MLB insider's hot-seat conversation

The Cincinnati Reds' 2026 season has been an utter failure to this point. Naturally, when things go awry, fans (and pundits) begin pointing fingers. The Reds have no shortage of culprits who've contributed to the team's struggles this season, but based on Ken Rosenthal's assessment, president of baseball operations Nick Krall is not one of them.

Rosenthal recently published an article for The Athletic that focused on the MLB front-office leaders who are facing intense scrutiny this season. Obviously New York Mets' president of baseball operations David Stearns was on the list, as were Buster Posey (San Francisco Giants), Craig Breslow (Boston Red Sox), and Dana Brown (Houston Astros). But Krall's name was strangely absent.

Nick Krall should be taking more heat for the Reds' struggles

Before the season, Reds manager Terry Francona told his players is go-time, and the expectations from the fanbase were a division title and a trip back to the playoffs in 2026. Instead, the Reds are sitting in the NL Central basement, 5½ games back in the Wild Card chase, and just 2-16 against division opponents this season.

That's the type of production that should thrust Krall's keister onto the hot seat, but few outside of Cincinnati are actually talking about the notion that his job should be in jeopardy based on the results of this season.

Krall took over as head of baseball operations in 2020, and since that time, the Reds have only been to the playoffs once and were promptly eliminated last October after just two games against the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Reds haven't won a postseason series since 1995. Somebody's got to be held responsible for this organization's shortcomings, and Krall's been around in 2002.

All signs point toward a fire sale at this year's trade deadline. The Reds have so many players on expiring deals, and if they're still sitting below .500 when August 3 rolls around, Krall should be wheeling and dealing in an attempt to add as much future talent as he can. Nathaniel Lowe, Eugenio Suárez, Brock Burke, Caleb Ferguson, and Brady Singer should all be on the trade block.

If things go from bad to worse, and the Reds come close to losing 90-plus games this season, Krall might not have anywhere to hide. Cincinnati has Elly De La Cruz under team control for just three more years, and with the impending lockout, many believe the 2027 season is likely to be shortened (or perhaps cancelled altogether).

The Reds have (so far) wasted one of the greatest talents they've had, and next year, De La Cruz will begin to command some serious money. If Krall's not on the hot seat now, it has to be getting warmer with each and every loss the rest of the season.

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