Mr. Castellini would you please buy the Bengals...

[*ochocincos*]

There are pros and cons to how the Reds operate (and MLB in general for that matter).
Yes, the Reds are more willing to go get guys in FA that are outside the organization. That brings more excitement to the (start of the) season than a typical Bengals offseason in regards to FA.
However, the Reds have statistically been worse than the Bengals over the past decade, and both franchises have no postseason advancement in this millenium.
Also, the Reds don't have to operate within a salary cap whereas the Bengals do.
The Bengals have had more consistent years whereas the Reds have had more up and down years.
Last, the Reds' bad farm system is what caused them to have to go out and "get the pitching" and also go get guys like Puig and Moustakas. Their home-grown talent has had some good players but not great talent to avoid using FA.
Senzel, Winker, Barnhart, and Ervin have all had their moments but none are great (yet). Aquino might turn into an elite OF but he's not even played a full season yet. Suarez and Castillo have developed into stars but they were trades. They weren't drafted by the Reds.

So basically what this boils down to is hope. When the Reds bring in some outside talent, it brings more optimism than a typical Bengals offseason. That may draw interest at the beginning of a season but winning keeps the interest through the whole season.