Terry Francona calls out Reds biggest issue with no easy fix in sight

The Cincinnati Reds’ Wild Card Series loss to the eventual champion Los Angeles Dodgers exposed a significant weakness in the squad: bullpen depth. When starters Hunter Greene and Zack Littell labored through a combined 6 ⅓ innings in the two games, the relievers were unable to stop the Dodger juggernaut. The issue is on Terry Francona’s mind this offseason, but the Reds’ front office will need to get creative to address this concern.

The Reds will be keeping a tight hold on the purse strings this offseason, which makes a reunion with closer Emilio Pagán unlikely. Even free agent middle relievers like Hoby Milner, whose market value is estimated at $4 million, may be too expensive for Cincinnati.

Perhaps, then, Nick Krall will try to strike gold by signing vets to minor league deals. He has already mined the waiver wire to snag Roddery Muñoz. The greatest pressure, though, will likely fall on the Reds’ prospects.

The Reds will need to get creative to address their lack of bullpen depth.

Chase Burns already got a taste of bullpen work when he returned from injury in September. The rookie was arguably the Reds’ best relief option during the season’s final weeks and the playoffs. However, Cincinnati would be foolish to keep him out of the starting rotation if he is fully healthy in 2026.

Fangraphs’ projected depth chart features just three relievers that threw more than 25 innings last season: Tony Santillan, Graham Ashcraft, and Lyon Richardson. That leaves a lot of uncertainty among the relief corps. Even more challenging, many arms in the bullpen, such as Yosver Zulueta and Sam Moll, are out of minor-league options, so if these young pitcher can’t step up, Cincinnati will risk losing them on waivers.

There is little depth in the farm system as well. Chase Petty and Rhett Lowder seem destined to be starters. Luis Mey will get some time in the majors, and Trevor Kuncl could make a push thanks to a strong 2025 and subsequent experience in the Arizona Fall League.

The next few months, though, will be crucial for the Reds. A veteran reliever or two, particularly if the salary is low, could change the tenor of the bullpen. Cincinnati needs a leader to guide what will certainly be a young relief corps in 2026.