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+--- Thread: A December look ahead on 2025 Reds (/thread-39635.html)
A December look ahead on 2025 Reds - kevin - 12-11-2024
I'll start with Manager and Coaches. New Manager Terry Francona won with Boston Red Sox in first time in 100 years. So I welcome him in as Detroit once welcomed in Sparky Anderson. His Bench Coach we know, Freddie Benavides. His Pitching Coach we know, Derek Johnson who has been with Reds and did so well with Brewers before Reds. The Hitting Coach is New, Chris Valaika. They must have felt besides a new Manager, they weren't that happy with the Reds hitting either. Third Base coach remains JR House. Those are the Key people. ...Francona says he wants to focus on Player Development, Pitching and Defense.....Valaika says he wants to focus on the fundamentals of Hitting.....One weak area of Reds was bad base running. They ran themselves out of too many innings on mental mistakes. I have no idea which Coach is going to get on them and have smarter base running.
One glaring weakness on Reds.com is they only have one Catcher. Nobody in Minors ready to come up as a Catcher. That's the way it is in December. It can not be that way in April. A move or moves have to be made.
You could put together a starting line-up for the Reds. I would like to see more Left Handed Relievers in camp, but I would always like to see more Left Handers in camp to choose from for the Lefty's in the Bull Pen roles.
Reds traded India for Royals starting pitcher Brady Singer. There have been times when Singer has been good, so I don't mind trading one of all these infielders and outfielders for a Pitcher who has had Quality Starts in the Major Leagues.
I notice Ty France who played well for Seattle and Cincinnati was sent to the Louisville Bats. He is not on Reds 40 man roster. I'm not sure what's going on there. The Reds say they are looking forward to The Rule 5 Draft that falls in the off season. So I don't know if a team claims France in Rule 5. Reds sound like they will claim player or players in Rule 5.
You could not start Reds in April as is, because they only have Stephenson as a Catcher. One Catcher is not enough, especially with Stephenson injuries issues over the years. They can't start this season without adding Catching.
I am excited about Terry Francona and also that the Reds owner and Reds GM had enough sense to hire him.
I'm also excited that The Reds are putting the focus on Developing young players, and improving on Pitching and Defense, plus a New Hitting Coach. To those that think Cincinnati should go after the big money players like a Soto or Judge, you have to get real to the fact that Cincinnati doesn't have that kind of money or payroll. Once you accept reality, you will see developing young players, and good Managers and Coaches who can teach Defense, Base Running, Pitching and Hitting is the way to go for teams like Tampa or Cincinnati.
On the Reds Top Prospects, most are not due up in 2025. The Reds brought a Top Prospect up in 2024, and have one that can come up in 2025. For now, the Reds are not loaded on Minor League players to come up in 2025. However Reds say they would like to make some moves in the Rule 5 Draft this off season. Again, I mention Reds left Ty France off the 40 man roster as a Louisville Bat, so he could probably get claimed by a team in Rule 5, and I could see a team wanting him. I'm not sure what compensation Reds get if a team claims him.
Reds could have a top manager, good coaches to get the most out of what is not that bad of a group of Pitchers and Hitters. Of course, it is still December. I do not see a Big Money Player coming in, and I agree with ex Reds Manager Jack McKeon who always said he didn't want a Big Money Player coming in. Reds will need some Catchers added before April, because One Catcher is not nearly enough to take to Spring Training or Start of Season.
It's December 10th, so that's about it. Keep your eyes on what Reds do in this Rule 5 Draft. Reds.com is talking it up that Reds might make some moves in that this off season. Brady Singer added has had Quality Starts for Kansas City, so he could be a good addition to the Starting Pitching. Reds have had the same pitchers keep going down with injuries every season, so you really can't count on them to stay healthy. A couple of them are starting to not be so young anymore, their being a Top Prospect from the Minors days are long gone. If Reds could get just some of their Pitchers healthy, they could have a very good group of Starting Pitchers.
I thought Diaz as the Closer wasn't all that good in 2024. Not his best year. He has to be better in 2025 or that is a problem. I'll end with that. Diaz has to get better or start thinking of trading his payroll. Get better or else on Diaz in 2025. Diaz never seemed On his game in 2024. He struggled getting saves and he struggled blowing saves and losing games, when he is paid to close and finish games and hold the win. Every Closer is going to blow a couple games, but Diaz wasn't very good in 2024, and if he doesn't improve in 2025, that is a problem. Barry Larkin mentioned Diaz early in 2024 season on Reds TV. There just wasn't something right about Diaz early on and through the season. He wasn't the Diaz of 2023. Hopefully Diaz bounces back stronger. Being able to count on your Closer is No Small Detail. If Diaz struggles again, he could be July Trade Bait, because teams in the hunt are always adding bullpen depth in July. Of course if Diaz is great again, that will win Reds more games right there, because he won't be blowing them.
One parting bow shot before others jump all over this to trash my post. If Diaz comes back better, and Hunter Green is lights out. If De La Cruz is lights out. If some of the star hitters and pitchers come back lights out with a good season. Right there are your Top Players and a Top Team with a Top Manager to compete. IF the Reds injured Stars get Healthy in 2025, this team could win a lot of games. If Diaz pitches like he did in 2023 and not 2024, the Reds have one of best Closers in MLB. I think the Reds are planning on Matt McLain back strong, because they traded India and sent Ty France to Louisville Bats off 40 man roster. If The Reds have McLain and Hitters and Pitchers Healthy to go with Greene and De La Cruz and if Diaz is back ON, The Reds under Terry Francona become one tough ball team. I saw this before. In 1989 all The Reds were injured. In 1990 they got healthy and new manager Lou Piniella. Bang, World Series. It helps to be healthy. The Reds did NOT add a high priced free agent before 1990. What happened was, the Stars they already had got healthy in 1990. Plus young stars such as Paul O'Neil and Sabo came on. Add in Norm Charlton, Rin Dibble and Randy Myers having their best seasons as The Nasty Boys. If The Reds had the lead after 6 innings, the game was over, Oakland found that out. Also Jose Rijo had an MVP season.....So if the 2025 Reds of Greene and De La Cruz get players back and healthy and on their game, and add in Terry Francona, watch out for The Reds. I'm not worried about Reds hitting home runs, because it's not that hard to hit homers in GABP.