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    Home Blog Page 9

    Playing GM: Solving a $21.05M “Problem” For The Cincinnati Reds

    By
    Nati
    -
    0
    Nick Martinez Team USA
    Nick Martinez

    Ever since Nick Martinez accepted the Qualifying Offer, it sure seems like the Cincinnati Reds, whom are already losing their guaranteed $55,000,000 payment from Diamond Sports Group, has had a pretty big monetary “problem.” Now, I’m not suggesting Nick Martinez is a bad investment, because the reality is…he’s not. I am, however, suggesting that the Reds can turn him into a smart one. Let’s get into it.

    As mentioned above, the Cincinnati Reds are losing a guaranteed $55M+ from DSG since they opted to bypass their deal & part ownership stake (sold for $1.00) last month. Their payroll currently sits at a projected $90,588,333 per Spotrac and we’ve been tipped off by Nick Krall & the Reds’ new COO Doug Healy that the Redlegs ‘will be at or near their 2024 payroll when it’s all said and done,’ which totaled $100,254,855. That was good for 25/30 in MLB, by the way. If you look at this roster as currently constructed, ladies and gentleman, we’re in trouble. You can’t get a good bat for $10M a year, and we still have issues in the bullpen.

    How Do We Fix This?

    Well, it’s actually pretty simple. And it starts with the gaping hole we have right now monetarily, and that is Nick Martinez. We have to restructure this deal. We have to extend him to buy time, and we know the market, now, for these guys of his caliber. Frankie Montas just signed a 2 year, $34M deal, Matt Boyd signed a 2 year, $29M deal. One of those guys, Frankie, is a Boras client much like Nick. Nick is 4 years older than Frankie. Let’s extend Nick to buy some time to get more cash flow in the building, let’s bring back out this graphic I did last month when we found out Nick was signing the QO, but adjust it to what other folks are getting around the league.

    Nick Martinez – 34

    Total: 3 years, $35,500,000 Gtd, potential $42,750,000

    2025: $13,500,000

    • 130 IP $500,000
    • All Star Game $250,000

    2026: $18,500,000

    Mutual Opt (’27) ($3,500,000 buyout)

    2027: $10,500,000

    Why would this make sense for both sides? For the Reds, this gives them a desperately needed $7,500,000+ additional to play around with for 2025 when they will rely on Major League Baseball to pay them for revenue. For Nick Martinez, this gives him an extremely competitive offer knowing it’ll be his last contract. $35.5M guaranteed at 34 years old headed into year 36 will not be beat, as evidenced by him signing the QO, and if he and Boras believe it to be beaten, the mutual option in ’27 can pay him an additional $3.5M to test the waters for himself.

    I know $7.5M doesn’t sound like a lot for the Reds, but trust me, it is. That’s going to get you a player like Michael Conforto for 2025. Something that’s desperately needed. It could potentially put you in the running for Teoscar Hernandez. Joc Pederson. Long story short, this needs to be something that’s done. This Reds team as is is not good enough. Nick Krall has to get creative for 2025, there’s no time to waste, there’s no more seasons to waste. Elly De La Cruz departs in 2028, maybe earlier, if you fail. Enough said. Get to work.

    NL Central Rival Adds Another LHP Starter In Matt Boyd

    By
    Nati
    -
    0
    Matt Boyd
    matt boyd

    The Chicago Cubs are signing LHP Starting Pitcher Matthew Boyd, per Jon Heyman of NY Post. Matt Boyd was previously with Cleveland but missed the majority of 2024 while recovering from his Tommy John surgery he got in the middle of 2023. He joins a Chicago Cubs rotation that for the most part could be deemed relatively successful against the Reds outside of a few starts.

    LHP SP galore, but literally.

    The Cubs now possess a depth chart consisting of 4 left handed starting pitchers. Jordan Wicks, Shota Imanaga, Justin Steele, & now Matt Boyd. It’s worth noting that it’s more than likely Jordan Wicks getting shoved to the side in this depth chart, but still, the Cubs will be throwing 3 left handed pitchers reguarly in their starting rotation. What does that mean for the Reds? Well…a lot, actually.

    The Reds STRUGGLED against LHP again in 2024, a lot of that, perhaps, can be attributed to Matt McLain being out the whole season, TJ Friedl, who surprisingly fares well against LHP was also out quite a bit, and Christian Encarnacion-Strand being out. Jeimer Candelario must be mentioned here due to the fact that he was beyond disappointing from the RHB and that’s what he was paid to come do…anchor the lineup against LHP. Does it get any better in 2025?

    2025’s Outlook Is Bleak, Still, As Of Now…

    The Cincinnati Reds as a team slashed .226/.309/.365/.673 against LHP. That .673 OPS would be bottom 5 in Major League Baseball. Now, as we all know, the Reds traded Jonathan India – he killed LHP in 2024, and I mean killed LHP. He slashed .277/.397/.418/.815 against southpaws, and he is now deducted from the equation. Not good. Now, if you’re like me, you like finding reasons to cope. Matt McLain, in 2023, slashed .326/.386/.609(!!)/.995 against LHP in 101 PAs. That’s who will be taking the role of 2B every day on. That’s good, provided he produces like we all think he will.

    Regardless, even with Matt McLain coming back, this team as it stands constructed at 9:40am 12/2 is NOT GOOD ENOUGH, no matter if Terry Francona is the manager or not. We need, desperately, an all around everyday outfielder that can hit both LHP and RHP and we do not own that asset right now. A trade is beyond necessary.

    2025 will be different, though

    The Cincinnati Reds start slow every single year it seems like. Hopefully, with Terry Francona at the helm, that’ll be different. This heading here is more about what the NL Central will look like, though, and it’s true – it’s different. Last season, the Pirates, Cardinals, & Cubs all threw 3+ LHP in their rotation. In 2025, as of now, only the Cubs will start that way. This gives the Reds a lot more strategic option for their lineup(s) when it comes to facing their divisional foes.

    The Bengals Season Is Over. What’s Next?

    By
    Nati
    -
    2
    Duke Tobin
    Getty Images

    Something we all knew, well, most of us…that the Cincinnati Bengals Defense was nowhere good enough to compete in 2024, even though they’ve had the most favorable schedule in Joe Burrow’s career, has lost them another important game, should they desire a postseason.

    The Bengals defense gave up a season high 44 points to a Pittsburgh offense that hasn’t scored more than 40 points since 2018 against the Carolina Panthers – an embarrassing feat, and one final “nail in the coffin.” The season is over. Over in December, the first day of it. It’s time for some change.

    So…what’s next?

    If you look into the history of the Cincinnati Bengals…absolutely nothing. They’ll run it all back next week in Dallas on Monday Night Football – one more national embarrassment for the 2024 Bengals that Vegas had winning 11.5 games. Come on guys, this is the same team that continued Marvin Lewis’ tenure well past its due. This is the team that employs Duke Tobin and Mike Brown’s Son-in-law as the head of personnel. Nothing is going to change.

    Lou Anarumo’s defense has regressed so bad, again, to the point where it makes it look like all fingers has to point to the Front Office, and they should. The Bengals have spent over 10 picks on defense the last 3 seasons in their top 100. Myles Murphy has not molded into anything to take serious. Cam Taylor-Britt has regressed tremendously. Dax Hill, even when healthy, has not looked the part. There is no reason to keep excusing the malpractice that is the Cincinnati Bengals drafts the last few years – this isn’t on Lou Anarumo, this is on Duke Tobin.

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    Cincinnati Bengals Director of Player Personnel Duke Tobin at the NFL Scouting Combine 2023

    What can they do?

    The Cincinnati Bengals 2024 season is over. It’s not what ‘can’ they do – it’s what WILL they do. And that answer is simple, if you have a brain: put themselves in a position to get the most premium pick they absolutely can. They failed at this in 2023 where they had no chance at the playoffs, will they fail at this again? That answer is likely yes. For whatever reason, they refuse to think the season is over, even though it is, and they’re already talking about how they can beat the Cowboys on Monday Night Football.

    Sorry, but sometimes it doesn’t pay to finish ‘with class’ – and if Joe Burrow even needs to be told that, then great. Tell it to him. The best bet for this Bengals team is to put themselves in the best position to acquire an elite EDGE, LB, or potentially but not likely WR. It’s clear that the Bengals have the biggest issues on defense, and their top 10 pick should net a player that can step in DAY ONE as long as they don’t f it up like they probably will.

    Coaching…Coaching…Coaching.

    You guys have probably all read my tweets by now where I say I think all blame is to be pinned on the Front Office. I truly believe that to be the case. However, knowing that the change there is extremely unlikely, the next best thing to do is to let go of a few on the coaching staff. Unfortunately, Lou Anarumo wears the biggest target in that regard.

    It’s true that his defenses have completely regressed – in 2023, the Bengals were a bottom 5 unit pound for pound. In 2024, they are…a bottom 5 unit pound for pound again. This is why I blame the FO, but…the FO is going to blame Lou. The famous saying is, “You can win with a bad FO with good coaching, you can’t win with a bad FO and bad coaching,” we have a case of the latter here. Lou’s defense is missing tackles left and right again. They aren’t creating turnovers. They aren’t stopping anyone. Their soft zone coverage is giving up historic Sundays to teams with historically bad offenses. It’s time to move on.

    Lou Anarumo
    Cincinnati Bengals current DC Lou Anarumo

    Past Lou Anarumo, I’m sorry but if you look at this list of coaches, my eyes set on guys like Bettcher, Cioffi, Burks, you know what, get rid of all of them. The whole Anarumo tree. These guys have been too bad for two seasons in a row. Zero improvements, nowhere. Anywhere.

    I also think Frank Pollack’s time needs to come to an end. Let’s be real, the Offensive Line has also taken no steps forward. Cordell Volson got benched for Cody Ford in today’s game, who ended up doing even worse. This team just isn’t elevating, and they’ve been established for over 5 seasons now. It’s time to go. It’s time to make big changes. The Bengals now sit at a 4.9% chance at the playoffs. They’re 4-8. The season is over.

    The Reds Bid Farewell to Jonathan India

    By
    chrisball96
    -
    0

    Jonathan India was a Cincinnati Red to his core. And now Reds fans will have to watch him play for the Kansas City Royals next season. On Friday the team agreed to trade their longtime second baseman to the Royals along with outfielder Joey Wiemer in return for right hander Brady Singer. It’s likely to lead to a host of complicated emotions for anyone who follows this team.

    India was selected fifth overall by the Reds in the 2018 MLB draft. He broke into the big leagues in 2021 for Cincinnati and eventually captured Rookie of the Year honors after he hit .269 with 21 home runs and 69 RBIs. There was a lot of promise after that year but India failed to capitalize on the momentum of his amazing rookie campaign. He sufferered a series of injuries and his struggles lead many to call for him to be traded prior to the 2024 season.

    In the end, though, India’s 2024 season proved to be one of the most pleasant surprises in that was otherwise a dismal year for the Reds. He hit .248 with 15 home runs and 58 RBIs. India stepped in to play the majority of the season to fill in for an injured Matt McLain. His contributions to the 2024 edition of the Reds deserve a great deal of credit.

    But the fact is that the Reds have a logjam at the infield positions. With McLain coming back and India having such a bounce back season, his trade value might not ever be higher. One could argue that it was the right time for the Reds to pull the trigger. The question remains as to what they got in return for their veteran second baseman?

    According the Enquirer, “Singer, 28, went 9-13 with a 3.71 ERA in 32 starts (179 2/3 innings) for the Royals last season. The Royals’ 18th overall pick in the 2018 draft is 36-44 with a 4.28 ERA in his career.” Singer’s fit in Cincinnati is yet to be determined but his ability to pitch solid innings and post a decent ERA looks promising at first blush.

    Jonathan India was a fan favorite and will surely be missed. But the hope is that Brady Singer was worth the price and that he adds more depth and pop to a very good Reds rotation that also recently retained Nick Martinez. I am sure all Reds wish Jonathan India the best, and will remember all the good times he gave us in Cincinnati.

    Reds Non-tender Candidates Guide 2024

    By
    Nati
    -
    0
    Santiago Espinal Celebrates
    Santiago Espinal and Elly De La Cruz Celebrate a win at Wrigley Field

    Today is the last day for a MLB team to tender a contract to their arbitration eligible players. The Cincinnati Reds have a few of them, but not many questions surrounding them, at least in my opinion. Let’s get into who those players are that could be non-tendered. Note: The Reds DO have guys that are arbitration eligible, some like Sam Moll, Tyler Stephenson, Alexis Diaz, Nick Lodolo..but we all know these guys are going to be tendered. No need to look into them.

    Infielders:

    Ty France is the highest ticket guy here on this list, and it’s almost assuredly going to be an easy decision, even if they did trade for him. He’s going to cost $8,600,000 if he’s tendered, his production was…nope. Slashing a mere .251/.292/.391/.683…he’s not getting tendered. I don’t even need to go into this one.

    Nati’s Take: Don’t tender Ty France.

    Santiago Espinal is the one Red with a decision looming over his head. If it’s up to me, I think his depth is well worth the $4,000,000 he’ll cost. He’s a decent defender at multiple positions in the infield, a former All Star, and he really came on late in 2024. His ability to put the ball in play speaks for itself, too, and with Chris Valaika, a guy known for wanting his players to put the ball in play, I think Santiago is safe.

    Per Santiago’s Savant page, he is in the lower 90th percentile for both whiff % & K% – furthering the “doesn’t K much” philo. Although he took a tiny step back defensively in 2024, I really think he’s way better than -1 OAA at 3B, and he’s way, way better than -2 OAA at 2B. Now…most teams will rarely pay a reserve $4,000,000 to ride the bench late into games, and Santiago is going to be doing that. He’s not starting over Elly or Jeimer…or McLain. However, if the Reds plan to trade Jonathan India like rumored, they may need to hold onto him, cause looking at the depth chart, they’re going to be relying on someone like Tyler Callihan, a kid that hasn’t played above AAA yet.

    Nati’s Take: Tender Santiago Espinal.

    Cincinnati Reds Santiago Espinal hits a HR and dons the classic Viking Helmet

    Outfielders

    Jake Fraley leads the way here at a $3,300,000 tag. I think it’s undeniably an easy decision to go ahead and tender him a contract. Even at his worst so far, dealing with a ton of off the field stuff like his precious daughter getting and dealing with cancer, he was STILL a positive producing player. He was finally healthy, still racked up a ton of hits, 26 of his 97 were XBHs..he still threaded the .330 OBP needle. He’s definitely getting tendered in my head, and he should.

    Nevermind his bat, his defense in the outfield should get him tendered the way it is, as should his speed. $3.3M is a light tag, and one the Reds should already of prepared to pay. He fits the Reds team(s) very well, and is a good leader in the clubhouse, too.

    Nati’s Take: Tender Jake Fraley.

    Jake Fraley celebrating a HR
    Reds Jake Fraley celebrates a HR

    Pitchers

    Ian Gibaut spent the majority of the 2024 season on the IL and didn’t pitch in the big leagues until late September, but his 2023 production can’t be ignored, and won’t be. In 2023, he had a 140 ERA+ which would rank in the upper 4 in that bullpen. He carried a 3.33 ERA in 74 games, and finished 15 of them with 3 saves. Gibaut will only cost $800,000 this is an extremely easy decision for Nick Krall and Brad Meador.

    Nati’s Take: Tender Ian Gibaut

    Now this one is going to break my heart, and I sincerely hope the Reds make it right by him somehow, someway, because he deserves it. But Tejay Antone… He’s due $1.1m if he’s tendered, and the liklihood of him pitching again is so low, especially in 2025, that I don’t think it’s worth it to tender him a contract. He’s on his third TJ surgery. I don’t doubt Tejay Antone for a second, but there’s not a long list of folks that have ever came back from a third TJ.

    Nati’s Take: Non-tender Tejay Antone

    Can The Reds Land Roki Sasaki?

    By
    Nati
    -
    0
    roki sasaki

    The next phenom from Japan, said to be a better, more polished pitcher than Shohei Ohtani…he’s hitting the market for 2025 in a shocking development nobody really saw coming. The reason it’s shocking is because there’s huge penalty fees that screw the player and everything else when it comes to eligilbility. For example, if Roki waited a few more years, he could’ve came to Major League Baseball as a UFA – instead, he’ll have some ‘restriction’ as an international player, and only be subject to the international bonus pool, so let’s see…can the Cincinnati Reds land him?

    12/11/24 Update

    This morning Reds beat reporter Mark Sheldon stated that Nick Krall had every intention to speak to Roki Sasaki and see what’s good. I had a separate person state that the Reds had a ton of “Handshake” deals with many prospects for the 2025 international class already but mentioned that there should still be plenty of money leftover, still. The Reds can land Roki if they woo him with their presentation. Roki’s agent Joel Wolfe stated he wanted clubs to meet with him at a central location. Krall said, “He’s a player we scouted in Japan and we’d love to have him,” in typical Krall fashion. Don’t say too much now, Nick!

    International Bonus Pool

    It’s well known that Japanese players are very typically structured, and tend not to care about money. They just want to compete with the best of them. It’s honestly such an admirable trait from their culture, one that I’m jealous of. And it’s also why I think the Reds can potentially land Roki Sasaki if they seek his services. So let’s get to the international bonus pool…

    The Reds are one of 8 teams with the most money to offer a player for 2025, per this Baseball America article and they will definitely have some competition. Now, if you read above, you note that I mention it is very rare that a Japanese player will be gung-ho about money, so does this really matter? I think so. And if it didn’t, Roki Sasaki would’ve already signed with a team, because he can up through late December on 2024’s pool. The other 7 teams joining us are:

    • Detroit Tigers
    • Miami Marlins
    • Milwaukee Brewers
    • Minnesota Twins
    • Oakland Athletics
    • Seattle Mariners
    • Tampa Bay Rays

    Now, of these other 7, I’d say from a competitivity aspect, and strictly going off Geographical location, the Seattle Mariners are really the only team that would “worry” me when it comes to a. having the money and b. having the culture that a Japanese player would seek…somewhere other than the Reds. The other cities have never really had a Japanese legend play for them like Irchiro Suzuki and they aren’t located close(r) to Japan. Also, when it comes to the Mariners, they churn young pitching out like crazy. That’s said to be a major factor for Roki Sasaki’s camp, as it should be.

    Why would he pick the Reds?

    I’d pitch it simple – the oldest franchise in baseball NEEDS a Japanese icon. The only other Japanese player we’ve ever, in the franchises history that is, has had…was Shogo Akiyama. We all know how that went – total disaster. You can blame covid, his age, whatever…but it was a total disaster. Japan is a culture of conservatism history, I think utilizing the ‘first MLB team’ is genuinely a major selling point. In MLB’s history, the oldest team has never had a positive producing MLB player from Japan…that’s wild. Roki Sasaki should yearn to change that.

    When it comes to development, look no further than the Reds, too. We’ve pumped out a TON of arms, we just usually can’t keep them due to monetary reasons. You look at Hunter Greene, Nick Lodolo, Johnny Cueto, Luis Castillo, there’s been a ton of guys to come through the Reds organization to go on and have very fruitful careers. Roki Sasaki could be the next of them.

    The Reds could genuinely offer all $7M of their bonus allocation and entirely win the International year. They should be prepared to do that, regardless, just with the chances of him coming to Cincinnati. We’ve spent $5M a year on absolute garbage before from the international market, they should be ready to offer every single cent to Roki’s camp to get him to come here.

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    Why do I want Roki so bad?

    Nevermind the fact that I’m longing for a positive producing Japanese player for once in our franchises’ history, this dude is THE REAL DEAL. His arsenal is insane, especially for a 23 year old. He’s taller for a typical Japanese player – 6’4″ – and he throws absolute gas mixed in with a devestating split finger (hey, remember SPLITCINNATI? Wassup Fernando Cruz?!) and has been working to polish his slider as he anticipated coming to MLB. He’s predominantly a two pitch guy, but he’s throwing triple digits and a splitter – there’s nothing to worry about. Just watch this gas…and don’t forget, his splitter is dubbed as “May be the best splitter in the world…“

    Are you not sold yet? Change your profile pic to Roki Sasaki as a Cincinnati Reds player and tell your grandma to start sending emails to his camp about how great Cincinnati is. We need this guy in Cincinnati, y’all. Gamechanger. Oh, and Bob, if you actually put effort into getting Roki here, I’ll start the GoFundMe to pay for his translator.

    Nati Q&A, Series 2

    By
    Nati
    -
    0
    Cincinnati Reds fans wear paper bags on their reds, two of which read, ÒSell the team, Bob,Ó referencing a call for Cincinnati Reds CEO Bob Castellini to sell the team, in the third inning during a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals, Friday, April 22, 2022, at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati. St Louis Cardinals At Cincinnati Reds April 22 4454

    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!

    How Long Will It Take to Fix the Bengals?

    By
    chrisball96
    -
    0
    Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) walks for the locker room after the fourth quarter of the NFL Week 11 game between the Los Angeles Chargers and the Cincinnati Bengals at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., on Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. The Chargers won 34-27.

    The Bengals’ 34-27 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday night put quite a few things in perspective. What’s most apparent is that this team has an appallingly high amount of glaring problems. Their chances for making the playoffs are nearly insurmountable. And with that it’s fair to look to what it might take to fix this team in the long term.

    The Good News

    Whatever the sport, if a team has a core of game-breaking players, there is a chance for sustained success. The Bengals can make a legitimate case that they have the best quarterback, wide receiver, and defensive end in the National Football League. If you start there, there are plenty of reasons for optimism.

    No Cincinnati team will ever be out of any game if Joe Burrow is on the field. If Ja’Marr Chase is with him, the points will fall like rain in a summer storm. Defensive end is one of the most impactful positions on the field. And in today’s NFL someone like Trey Hendrickson is worth his weight in gold. Cincinnati has amazing players at some of the most important positions in the game.

    But the NFL is not the NBA. You can’t just pack you team with a couple of superstars and let them carry you. With so many players seeing the field, depth is a requirement to winning in the game as it’s playing out today. And that is where the Bengals have fallen woefully short this year.

    What Is Holding This Team Back: Front Office Edition

    If a team has the star players to light up the scoreboard, but refuses to pay them, those stars quickly migrate to greener pastures. And so the optimism of having a game-wrecking wide receiver like Chase, and a sack artist like Trey Hendrickson only goes so far. It is dampened by the fact that they both were vocally unhappy about their contract situation. The front office kicked those cans down the road. But those bills are coming due in extremely short order and the cost and cap impact will no doubt be steep.

    But at the end of the day, can this team really function without either Chase or Hendrickson in the coming 2-3 years? They’ve not shown they can draft and develop talent (outside of obvious stars). They’ve not shown that they can scout and sign impactful free agents. The Bengals have one of the smallest player personnel departments in the league. The employees who do work in that department don’t have even the barest track record of success. And so if franchise players like Trey and Ja’Marr are allowed to walk, the cupboard is essentially bare.

    The ownership and executives refuse to pay players or make impactful trades. Other free agents in the league see this “business model” and are understandably leery. They might want to play with Joe Burrow but that desire is counterbalanced by knowing that you’ll be playing for a franchise that pinches pennies harder than Ebeneezer Scrooge.

    What the Bengals Have to Fix Moving Forward

    When you look at the holes this team has, it is honestly staggering. The following positions need either serious upgrades or complete overhauls:

    • Offensive Guard (x2)
    • Defensive End
    • Defensive Tackle (at least one)
    • Cornerback
    • Safety (x2)
    • Kicker

    That is a lengthy list of at least nine players (and perhaps more) that the Bengals must upgrade to have a chance to succeed. With the limitations this front office has shown in drafting, signing players, and developing them, what is the reasonable timetable for Cincinnati to get better at those positions to slow down the top offenses in the NFL?

    It certainly looks like an effort that will take more than one season to remedy. I won’t bandy about the word “rebuild” but it is hard to “reload” such a significant portion of this team’s starters. The bottom line is that this team appears farther away from contending for a championship than any time in recent memory.

    There aren’t any disastrous injuries to star players. They had one of the most favorable schedules in the league this year. They are getting MVP performances from three separate players.

    And yet they are 4-7.

    What Is Holding This Team Back: Coaching Edition

    Zac Taylor took this team to a Super Bowl. Lou Anarumo and the defense helped propel them there. But the good times and hugs are long in the rear-view window at this point. It’s clear from the body language of the players, and their own words, that they are tired of playing for coaches that cannot help this team win.

    We all know that current ownership will not fire Zac Taylor no matter how badly this team performs. They may sacrifice Lou Anarumo as a distraction, but that’s likely it. That is, unless stars like Burrow and Chase make their dissatisfaction known and make some threats that might motivate the team to take some drastic action.

    But based upon how tone-deaf Cincinnati has been thus far, I will not hold my breath.

    Yes, Lou Anarumo doesn’t have a lot to work with. But that’s no excuse for refusing to play Jordan Battle or DJ Turner, all the while watching Geno Stone and Cam Taylor-Britt give up touchdown after touchdown. Zac Taylor is often praised as a “locker room guy” but that mojo has clearly expired.

    This team is tired of playing for these coaches. The fans are tired of the platitudes these coaches put forth week after week. Whatever is being done now clearly is not working, despite some of the best players in team history lighting it up on the field.

    Things simply cannot continue on the way that they’re going. But if no changes are made, we are in for a long, dark period of mediocrity, if not worse. It’s up to the ownership and front office to fix what is wrong within the window of time we have with the star players still on our roster.

    If they fail, it will be one of the biggest missed opportunities in Cininnati sports.

    The. Clock. Is. Ticking.

    Photo Credit Sam Greene/The Enquirer-USA TODAY NETWORK

    Reds Icon Joey Votto Says Goodbye To Cincinnati (Officially)

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    Over this past weekend, Reds icon Joey Votto said farewell to one of the last pieces of him remaining in Cincinnati. This, at least until he comes back for his number being retired, of course… He sold his beautiful $2.7m home in Indian Hill, OH. Take a look at this beauty… it’s insane.

    Front of Joey Votto’s former Cincinnati Home

    I’m old enough to remember when Joey Votto was rumored to be the one building the massive house in NKY off of Turkeyfoot Rd. Most of you will know what I’m talking about. Come to find out, the franchise icon was just living modest up there in Indian Hill. Not shocked.

    Former Reds Icon Joey Votto’s kitchen

    Anyways, the guy is a surefire Hall of Famer in my book. If you want to check out the rest of his house, link below.

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    Joey Votto is a Hall of Famer as a Cincinnati Reds.  

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    Joey Votto’s old shower

    See, maybe it’s just the kid in me still, but I can’t imagine being the new owner of the house and taking a shower in this big ass room they’re calling a shower and think to myself, “Damn…Joey Votto used to wash his ass in this shower. That’s insane. What an honor.”

    Link to the Zillow listing of Joey Votto’s old house: https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/8705-Kugler-Mill-Rd-Indian-Hill-OH-45243/34422949_zpid/?mmlb=g,15

    The Reds Have a New Home for 2025 When It Comes To Broadcast

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    Nati
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    You read the title, now you know. The Cincinnati Reds are opting to be broadcasted by Major League Baseball, whom offered their umbrella of support – kudos to them – when Diamond Sports Group first announced their decision to file for bankruptcy last season. They currently broadcast Milwaukee Brewers, Cleveland Guardians, Arizona Diamondbacks, Minnesota Twins, & San Diego Padres and the broadcasts have much less of a “production” feel to them.

    What changes?

    Blackouts. That’s the first thing. Blackouts won’t exist for 2025 per MLB’s release, and the broadcast will offer a DTC (Direct-to-consumer) package for even more. Things like MLB Live Ump Cam will be available, there’ll be live look-ins to the replay center, and more, per this release by MLB.

    Will you be able to watch from your cable package?

    If your cable package includes MLB Network, that answer is yes. Will it be channel 49 like a lot of us are used to, or were used to? No. We will update this article as soon as we find out where and when you’ll be able to watch from a cable TV perspective, bookmark this.

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    I don’t have cable, how can I watch?

    For a price of $19.99 per month (as of 11/14/24 – this is 2024’s season data) you can get MLB Tv and will be able to stream the Cincinnati Reds without ANY blackout restrictions. You can also grab it for the year (for the Reds only for $99.99) But as mentioned above, you’ll be able to watch them with a cable package, so don’t go cutting your cord just yet. Yes – there is also an option to buy MLB.TV for the year if you’re a baseball snob, we’d definitely recommend that. You can watch EVERY team’s game at that rate.

    John Sadak, Barry Larkin, Annie Sabo, Jim Day?

    As I mentioned in this article here, these folks are REDS employees, meaning if the Reds decide to continue to employ them, they will be the play by play folks. It’s not known as of right now who all will be back – I’d imagine John Sadak, Barry Larkin, Jim Day are all locks. As for Sam Lecure, Annie, Brian, Chris Welsh, that remains to be seen… all I can say is that the Castellini family loves all of these folks and if it’s possible to keep them, they will.

    Credits to WCPO.com for the featured image

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