We all know Tito came out of retirement for the Reds, but there seems to be some optimism all over the place in Reds Country that it means they’re going to start spending in Free Agency. I’m not trying to “doom” here – but ladies & gentleman out there reading, pump the brakes. This is the Reds. And he’s Tito Francona. Does he care about spending?
Terry Francona’s last decade…
Terry Francona spent the last decade in Cleveland, OH managing the Indians (now Guardians) in what is known to be one of the most frugal, yet smart, markets in Major League Baseball. His team(s) went a combined 921-757 while there, too, which is what nodded him several Manager of the Year candidacies, winner of three; you can grasp this was a very impressive feat, but one that came short consistently, and a lot pointed at Cleveland’s frugality.
Through Terry Francona’s tenure in Cleveland, even in 2016 — their World Series year — the Indians/Guardians never provided him a payroll that grossed top 10 in Major League Baseball per spotrac. They hardly placed inside top 15. Now, with all this said, the Cincinnati Reds outspent the Guardians in 75% of those years, so if you’re Tito, you’re probably happy, but as we know, the Reds constantly financially strained themselves and got stuck with terrible contracts, the Indians did not which really is the chocolate to the pudding there.
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Did the Reds promise Tito more asset?
There is absolutely no evidence to suggest that Terry Francona came out of retirement due to the Reds promising more financial asset help; in fact, Tito himself has already made the comment, ‘What I’m given is what I’m given, I have to win with that,’ which would suggest he already has his white flag in the air and doesn’t care — he’s just happy to be back. Now, that’s definitely my opinion, but there’s plenty to suggest it true.
The Reds just broke up with their RSN this past week as we reported, meaning they will be without $58-60 MILLION guaranteed dollars. That means their revenue will be taking a significant hit. As of right now, the Reds have $41,033,333 on the books before making any FA signing, or QOs accepted. Jeimer Candelario makes up more than 30% of that at $15,000,000. Worth noting, Nick Martinez, assuming he accepts the Reds QO like is reported, will be the highest paid Reds player at $21,050,000.
If the Reds spend, it’ll be light, IMO
I find it really hard to believe with all the business up in the air that the Reds will actually make any relevant splashes in FA. Now, I could definitely see them adding via trade, and I can see them, as I wrote last night on here, even trading Jonathan India to get rid of some of that $5M. Could they even make an attempt at selling Jeimer Candelario with a prospect or two? They absolutely could, and they even flaunted this idea last trade deadline. But spend big just cause Tito is out of retirement? Nah. Not these Reds.
