When the Cincinnati Reds hired future Hall of Fame manager Terry Francona in early October, it sparked speculation that the team was finally serious about competing. Francona, who had stepped away from baseball due to health concerns after guiding the Cleveland Guardians to the brink of a World Series title in 2016, likely wouldn’t have come out of retirement for just anyone—especially not for the typically frugal Reds—unless winning was the priority.
The Reds wasted no time, securing Nick Martinez by betting on a $21.05 million Qualifying Offer. This move raised hopes that it was just the beginning of a series of significant roster upgrades. However, as the offseason progresses, it’s becoming clear that further investments to strengthen the team might come through trades involving prospects, rather than big-name free-agent signings. Meanwhile, the remaining free-agent hitters are quickly being snatched up by other teams.
The latest example is Teoscar Hernández, who hit 33 home runs for the 2024 World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers. The Dodgers, committed to spending whatever it takes to contend in 2025, signed Hernández to a three-year, $66 million deal. While missing out on Hernández wasn’t unexpected—he was widely expected to join the Dodgers, especially after Juan Soto landed with the Mets—it does shrink the pool of available hitters, increasing competition and prices for teams like the Reds, who desperately need offensive upgrades.
This context may explain why the Reds are still being linked to free-agent right-hander Nick Pivetta. According to MLB insider Jon Heyman, the Reds are among the teams connected to Pivetta, which could indicate that they’re exploring the possibility of trading some of their promising young pitchers to acquire a controllable bat. If such a trade happens, Pivetta might be a fallback option to fill the resulting hole in the rotation.
There’s still time for Reds GM Nick Krall to work some offseason magic and reshape the roster. But there’s also a chance fans will find themselves wondering how the team plans to sell a Jake Fraley/Mark Canha left-field platoon as a viable solution by the time spring rolls around.
