Reds' offseason plan quietly points to one specific target above all else

The Cincinnati Reds don't really have much of a direction this offseason. Given the sudden loss of relief pitchers through free agency and the gargantuan void in the heart of their lineup, the Reds have a lot of needs, but ownership's unwillingness to increase spending in 2026 will make filling all those holes very difficult.

The Athletic (subscription required) recently revealed that Nick Krall and Cincinnati's front office are engaged on numerous fronts this winter. Given the positional versatility of the Reds 40-man roster, sources are claiming they could choose to go a number of different directions.

One thing is clear, however. No matter which path the Reds choose to take in order to upgrade the roster, it'll be the one that costs the least. The one thing Krall and Co. will be targeting above all else is the best bargain they can find.

The Reds' free agent focus is value — what else is new?

According to The Athletic, the Reds' brass foresees numerous ways to improve the roster. They could add a first baseman and push Spencer Steer to left field. They could secure a centerfielder and move TJ Friedl to left. Or, they could simply do what they always do and find a platoon bat to pair with a left-handed hitting outfielder (Will Benson).

If this is truly the approach that Krall and Reds plan to enact this offseason, those hoping to see Kyle Schwarber return to his hometown should probably stop dreaming. Cincinnati has routinely done their offseason shopping in the free -agent bargain bin, and it sounds as if this year will be no different.

If you take a look at the current free agent landscape, a handful of names actually fit the bill. First baseman Ryan O'Hearn might make sense for Cincinnati, but even he might be too pricey for the cash-strapped Reds. Instead, they may be looking at names like Willi Castro, Randal Grichuk, Rhys Hoskins, or Max Kepler.

If the Reds are going to make a major upgrade this offseason, it'll have to come by way of trade. Whether or not Cincinnati's decision makers are willing to part with some of their top prospects in order to improve the Major League roster is another topic entirely. For the time being, Reds fans should set their expectations low, which is nothing new.