Reds embarrassed by Dodgers in a loss that demands major changes

Despite having a soon-to-be Hall of Fame manager, the odds-on favorite to win NL Rookie of Year, and a bonafide MVP candidate, the Cincinnati Reds are an utter embarrassment.

The Reds lost Wednesday's series finale to the Los Angeles Dodgers by a final score of 14-1. Catcher Jose Trevino was called upon to pitch for the sixth time this season — which shows you just how bad this team has been — and Cincinnati was swept out of LA having been outscored 23-6.

When you look at the lineup that Terry Francona ran out for Wednesday's matchup, it's almost shocking that Cincinnati was even able to score a run. Outside of Elly De La Cruz, Sal Stewart, and Héctor Rodríguez, there wasn't another player in the starting lineup hitting over .225 on the year.

JJ Bleday has gone ice-cold since June 1 and was hitting cleanup. Rookie Carlos Jorge, who had just nine big-league at-bats heading into Wednesday's contest, was the Reds leadoff hitter. And the Reds' 6-9 hitters were comprised of Juan Brito, Will Banfield, TJ Friedl, and Ke'Bryan Hayes. Are you kidding me?

De La Cruz's solo shot in the third inning marked the fifth straight game that the Reds shortstop has left the yard, but that offers little solace to a fanbase that was hoping for a postseason run this October. The jig is up, and it's time for the Reds organization to undergo massive changes this winter.

Reds' blowlout loss to the Dodgers demands major offseason changes

Nick Krall cannot be employed after August 27. The Reds president of baseball operations has been given plenty of leeway since taking over for Dick Williams in 2020, but this season's failures should result in his termination.

Krall was the architect of the Reds' teardown in 2022. The fanbase was upset, but patient, and watched the team quickly turn into a contender in 2023 — thanks in large part to De La Cruz. But four years later, the Cincinnati faithful are still waiting for the franchise's first playoff series win since 1995. Krall can't be allowed to continue.

And this isn't a next-man-up situation where the Reds' ownership group can't simply pass the baton to GM Brad Meador. He's been alongside Krall the entire time and can't be installed as the Reds' new president of baseball operations. This organization needs a reset from top to bottom.

Director of hHitting Chris Valaika should also be dismissed when the 2026 season comes to a close. Aside from the team ranking fourth in home runs (196) this season, Cincinnati is near the bottom of the league in almost every meaningful offensive category.

Who knows where Director of Pitching Derek Johnson is? The longtime pitching coach took a leave of absence from the club in early June, and the team hasn't given an update on Johnson's status since.

Until the organization's leadership issues are sorted out, there's no need to even look at the changes the Reds roster must undergo during the offseason.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow