Reds’ latest signing will leave fans wondering when bold moves begin

The Cincinnati Reds signed right-handed pitcher Julian Garcia to a minor-league deal this week, and one can presume that he'll receive an invite to spring training next year. Garcia, who'd been on the Indy Ball circuit throughout most of last season, joined the Reds organization near the end of the year and appeared in three games for the Chattanooga Lookouts.

In his three starts at Double-A Chattanooga, Garcia was 1-1 with an impressive 1.13 ERA through 16 innings pitched. The 30-year-old allowed two earned runs on 10 hits and managed to strike out 21 of the 59 batters he faced. Garcia will bring a measure of depth to the Reds pitching staff as they head to Goodyear next February.

Reds’ fans are hoping that latest signing isn't a sign of things to come this offseason

Every organization, even the high-spending Los Angeles Dodgers, makes these types of signings. Last offseason, the Reds invited players like Bryan Shaw, Will Banfield, Lenny Torres, and Alex Young to Arizona. Unsurprisingly, none of them made the roster, but provided depth in the minors.

But the Reds have a bad habit of signing players like Garcia in hopes of seeing them make a meaningful impact during the regular season. In years past, players like Brett Kennedy, Alan Busenitz, Kevin Herget, and Casey Kelly actually saw time on the Major League roster. That can't happen heading into what could be a defining season for Terry Francona and the Reds.

Cincinnati is coming off their first real postseason appearance since 2013. (The Reds lost in the first-round of the expanded playoffs during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season when eight teams qualified for postseason play.) The Reds need to build off their 2025 success, and that's going to require Bob Castellini and the ownership group to pony up this winter.

Adding Garcia gives Cincinnati an extra arm to turn to in 2026, but the Reds need to make bold and decisive moves this offseason. Be it through a blockbuster trade or key free agent acquisitions, Cincinnati's front office must be aggressive.

The Reds are sitting on a generational-type talent in Elly De La Cruz (who's on a pre-arbitration salary), have a Hall of Fame-caliber manager, and top-tier rotation. Cincinnati has run out of excuses not to go all-in this offseason.