Reds fans are furious after Nick Krall’s latest front office faceplant

After signing Garrett Hampson to a major-league contract, Cincinnati Reds President of Baseball Operations Nick Krall is getting absolutely crushed online. Reds fans are fed up with seeing this once-proud organization develop a top-tier pitching staff only to supplement it with a lineup that couldn't score more than one run during their last two games against the hapless Pittsburgh Pirates.

To make matters worse, the Reds optioned one of their few power hitters back to the minor leagues. Rece Hinds was sent back to Triple-A Louisville in order to add Hampson to the active roster. Hinds has two round-trippers in limited action this season and a .662 career slugging percentage. He's a legitimate home run threat every time he steps into the batters' box, and the Reds demoted him in favor of a player whose hard-hit rate the past two seasons is 29.4%.

Hampson doesn't have a home run in the big leagues since September 9, 2023 and a .222/.287.284 slash line during the past two seasons. While it's understandable that Reds manager Terry Francona was looking for more defensive versatility, there were other ways to achieve that without handing out a major-league contract to a 30-year-old retread with no bat to speak of.

Reds fans are furious after Nick Krall and front office signed Garrett Hampson to a major-league deal

As far as defensive versatility is concerned, aren't Spencer Steer, Gavin Lux, and Santiago Espinal able to play multiple positions all over the diamond? What about Connor Joe? There's absolutely no acceptable excuse that Krall or Francona can give for adding Hampson to the roster, while sending Hinds down to Triple-A.

Had Cincinnati made this move and decided to DFA Austin Wynns instead of Hinds, the fanbase still wouldn't like it — because Hampson's bat is just bad — but it would've been understood. Because so many infielders are on the IL, Cincinnati needs some added depth. But to cling to the idea of keeping three catchers — including one who never plays — is absolutely ludicrous.

The Reds could've recalled Jacob Hurtubise or Blake Dunn if they needed a light-hitting player with speed. If defensive versatility was a need, why not call up former fourth-round pick Ivan Johnson? Sure, he's not hitting for average down at Triple-A Louisville, but you're not signing Hampson for his bat. Johnson would also come with minor-league options, so when Jake Fraley, Christian Encarnacion-Strand, and Jeimer Candelario return, you can just send him back to Triple-A.

With Hampson on a major-league deal, Reds fans are fearful — and rightfully so — that when one of those injured starters returns from the IL, Will Benson will be sent back to Triple-A instead of just cutting bait with their newest signing. Same song, eleventh verse. Am I right, Reds fans?

Francona's bench is now effectively two catchers, Hampson, and Joe. That's not how you construct a major league roster. Fans are furious after this latest move, and rightfully so. This is the type of move made by unserious organizations who have no intentions of winning. Unfortunately, that's the route Krall and Reds' front office have chosen.

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