Reds' midseason grade shows that this is a team in limbo

While a C+ may earn a degree, high-school diploma, or some sort of certification, it doesn't inspire confidence such a team would earn a playoff spot. The Cincinnati Reds' received a mediocre grade on Wednesday morning from ESPN's David Schoenfield, based on their performance thus far and unfortunately, he's probably right.

Schoenfield described the consistent mediocrity Cincinnati has found themselves in since 2020, excluding the second 100+ loss season in franchise history in 2022. Unable to turn average into good, the Reds find themselves in this position yet again. Whether it's offensive inconsistencies, bullpen troubles or injuries galore, Cincinnati hasn't built a playoff team since 2013 (excluding the shortened 2020 season).

The last few seasons have been littered with high-highs and low-lows, and 2025 is no different. Fresh off a 15-11 June, the Redlegs lost four straight games entering Wednesday, and find themselves back at .500. Through 92 games, the Reds have fluctuated between four-games under, and four-games over .500, never falling outside these marks.

How do the Reds' front office pull the club out of purgatory?

Schoenfield suggested the rotation health and stability being the key to success. While this is important, and has carried the offense through many pitiful showings, more help is needed to turn this edition of Reds into winners. A real third baseman and bullpen firepower may thrust the ballclub out of limbo into legitimate contenders.

Unfortunately, it's difficult to dictate what Reds GM Nick Krall and Co. will do this deadline, but their precedent isn't exciting. The next three weeks may make decisions easier, but hovering around .500 has proved difficult to navigate the previous two seasons. While sitting one game over .500 in 2024, the Reds became minor sellers at the deadline, trading away team veteran Lucas Sims and free agent acquisition Frankie Montas. In 2023, the front office did nothing to buy or sell at the deadline, and the team fizzled out in September.

Albeit difficult to navigate, Reds fans are tired of nonchalant, passive deadline deals, despite the team being in limbo. With a loaded farm system and solid young core, fans expect a playoff team produced in Cincy the next couple of years, but why wait? If making a big move is required to push this team into contenders, the time is right now. The Reds have proved incredibly streaky this season, so stability may prove priority.

Being in limbo makes it hard to pull the trigger on tough deals, but something must budge for the Reds to hoist themselves above mediocrity. With the trajectory they are currently headed on now, the Reds front office must make a move or 2025 will turn into another middling, disappointing season Reds fans are long accustom to.

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