Reds should move on from Nick Krall and consider these two rising executives

As the Cincinnati Reds inch closer and closer to the end of the 2026 season, Nick Krall's job looks less and less secure. The Reds president of baseball operations is on the hot seat, and given the team's lack of on-field success since he took over for Dick Williams in 2020, the conclusion of the 2026 campaign could (and should) mark the end of Krall's tenure in Cincinnati.

But the Reds can't simply follow the status quo and allow general manager Brad Meador to succeed Krall as the club's new top decision-maker. Like Krall, Meador is a Reds-lifer. He's been with the organization since 2009, and while it may be somewhat unfair to hold him responsible for the current state of the franchise, the Reds front office needs an infusion of new blood.

In FanSided's latest MLB Insiders newsletter, Robert Murray shared a list of the top names who are frontrunners to be future presidents of baseball operations and/or general managers. Among them are Amiel Sawdaye (Arizona Diamondbacks), Josh Barfield (Chicago White Sox), Matt Forman (Cleveland Guardians), Carter Hawkins (Chicago Cubs), and Matt Kleine (Milwaukee Brewers).

Two names on that list stick out — Forman and Kleine. Both are assistant GMs for their respective clubs, and given the sustained run of success the Guardians and Brewers have enjoyed, both men should be atop the Reds' wishlist if Krall is fired at the end of the season.

Guardians & Brewers top execs should lead the way in Reds search if Nick Krall is fired

Forman is a former sports writer who landed an internship in Cleveland in 2013. He then climbed the proverbial ladder and is now the Guardians assistant general manager. He's seen Chris Antonetti manage a small-market club in Cleveland for more than a decade and has spent plenty of time around current Reds' skipper Terry Francona.

Kleine is a graduate of Marquette University and the assistant GM for the Brewers. He was a name to watch last offseason when there were openings in Washington and Colorado, but ultimately stayed put alongside Matt Arnold. He's been part of the Brewers organization since 2007, and if there's any blueprint throughout Major League Baseball the Reds should look to employ, it's the one they're using in Milwaukee.

First things first, however. Cincinnati will need to cut ties with Krall in order to take the first step toward a regime change in the Reds front office. The Reds are currently in the NL Central basement with a record 69-76 and are 8½ games out of the Wild Card race. Given the playoff aspirations surrounding this year's team, it's hard to see Cincinnati's 2026 season as anything other than a failure.

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