Much like last series, I asked my followers on X if they had any questions they’d like answered for my opinion(s). We did it again! A sincere thanks to everyone who has input their Cincinnati Reds questions. We’ll keep doing this, it’s a lot of fun engaging with everyone. If you missed my first one, how about checking it out?
Questions will be in Bold, my answers will follow them. Be sure to subscribe to our Newsletter to get our articles sent straight to you. Nati Sports wants to be the one delivering you your sports news and updates!
Questions from X/Twitter & Nati’s responses
If you had up to 5 guys currently on the team who you could lock in long term deals for, who would they be? – Chandler Patrick – S/O to Chandler, longtime supporter!
To be honest, this is harder than I thought it’d be, because there’s a lot of questionable players still on this roster. Just from a vibes perspective, and not an actual proposal basis…the obvious ones are: Elly De La Cruz, Tyler Stephenson, Rhett Lowder, Nick Lodolo, & perhaps maybe an unconventional one, but Alexis Diaz.
Will the Brewers finally be ass this year? – Trev
I think we both know better, now, than to count the Brewers out. Their team still projects to have a higher fWAR than the Cincinnati Reds do in 2025 as of today. If the Brewers are ass, we’re going to be that much worse. They really don’t lose anybody from their playoff team that ran the NL Central other than Willy Adames. Joey Ortiz/Brice Turang at SS isn’t a big enough fall off for me to say we’d be better than them. They’re still the NL Central favorites until proven otherwise, IMO. The only other team running with them potential wise is the Cubs, as bad as I don’t want to admit.
IMO the Reds are extremely close to losing an entire generation of fans. I’m 39 and my sons have never seen the Reds be title contenders. Do the reds understand the urgency to ensure their fan base for future generations? – Nathan Childers
I gotta be honest, Nathan, no. No they don’t. Both teams in Cincinnati are extremely tonedeaf, and are ok with continuiing to operate anciently. Admittedly, I think the Reds are the better of the two when it comes to “care” – there genuinely is more than 1 voice and 1 families voice that matters there, but they’re still very stubborn and stuck in ways that haven’t worked out. Losing our TV deal doesn’t help a damn thing when it comes to creating excitement in the offseason, but even with it, the 19 owners of the Cincinnati Reds have not stepped up near enough fiscally to help Bob Castellini put a winning product on the field.
How do we feel about the new voices in terms of improving the game of Elly? What are we in store for? – Clark
Great question here, Clark. I actually feel extremely confident Elly De La Cruz is going to elevate his game tenfold under Tito & his staff. If you look at Jose Ramirez as my example, the dude just continued to elevate. I think Tito gives a perfect amount of “Freedom” similar to David Bell, but it will come at a price…performance. I think he elevates for sure.
At this stage of the offseason, what is your prediction for Wins O/U?
Right now, with no FA signed yet and Nick Martinez back… I have them at 83 wins…healthy. Not good enough. Get to work, Nick Krall/Reds ownership.
Who are your dream/best case scenario acquisitions via free agency or trades, and then what are your more realistic options? – Jackson Kirby
I’ll do one of each. Dream Free agency pickup..absolutely Juan Soto. how couldn’t it be? Dream trade pickup: Corbin Carroll. Man wouldn’t he be fun. Now for realistic… realistic trade candidate: Brent Rooker realistic FA Signing: Tyler O’Neill
Who do you see being the most improved and biggest let down? in 2025 – Bryce
The most improved player will undoubtedly be Spencer Steer, in my opinion. I think that’s the safest bet. And it’s not even like he had a terrible year in 2024, but there’s a lot more out of him that I could see protruding in 2025. He’s too perfect of a baseball player. The biggest letdown of 2025 will once again be Jeimer Candelario. He’s going to give us one month of hot baseball, probably in the middle of summer again, and then fade into the abyss once more. Honorable mention for Noelvi Marte being the most improved. Whatever we saw in 2024 was not…Noelvi.
Thanks for asking your questions, everyone! I’ll be doing another one of these soon. Be sure to subscribe to the Newsletter!
