On Monday, Reds beat reporter Mark Sheldon held an Ask Me Something on Reddit with followers at r/reds. This mailbag options questions and solutions from there. The total AMA will be learn right here. Questions and responses have been evenly edited for readability.
Who, if any, of the core is more than likely to get a long-term extension this 12 months?
Primarily based on what I’ve heard, there have been no multiyear deal conversations with any arbitration-eligible gamers or guys beneath membership management. That may change rapidly although since groups and arb-eligible gamers are scheduled to trade figures on Thursday. Whereas that course of typically brings one-year offers to keep away from the listening to, it is potential for a multiyear deal.
Among the many core guys, in fact Elly De La Cruz would prime the listing, nevertheless it’s fairly uncommon – though not inconceivable – for Scott Boras purchasers to signal extensions that push again free company. Others I would have a look at are Andrew Abbott, Nick Lodolo and presumably Tyler Stephenson.
What’s your ideas on the outfield after the current strikes?
What are the crew’s expectations for Matt McLain in 2026? I do know that restoration from labrum surgical procedure typically takes two years and the 2023 season was superior, however 2023 was additionally propped up by an unrealistically excessive BABIP (.385). What’s the membership anticipating to get from him this 12 months?
As of right now, McLain seems to be their essential second baseman, however he should solidify that standing in camp. Through the vacation break, I selected him because the Reds’ finest bounceback candidate. The misplaced 2024 season was a killer for a younger participant nonetheless creating within the huge leagues. Terry Francona is an enormous fan of his general sport, although. The skipper likes how the ball jumps off his bat and his general baseball acumen. McLain performs good protection, all the time is aware of the place he’s alleged to be and is an effective baserunner.
These are all good locations to begin. He was arguably the Reds’ finest hitter in 2023. Excessive BABIP or not, that does not simply disappear with no good cause. The shoulder surgical procedure was the explanation. Let’s examine what he does a second season faraway from that.
Do you see any method that the Reds can prime the 83 wins they’d final 12 months? It seems like they’re simply working it again with the identical squad.
I can see it, however I’d see it way more in the event that they discover a bat for the center of the order. The offseason is not over but, so it is too early to make predictions. The pitching state of affairs is an effective place to begin. Groups would like to have the Reds’ rotation depth.
All of the rumors I’ve seen all through the winter have been, “Effectively, the Reds do not wish to commerce a starter.” With this window so finite, why the reluctance to bundle somebody like Chase Petty for a bat that helps in 2026?
From every thing I’ve heard, the entrance workplace is loath to half with any starters to make a commerce. They need as a lot depth as potential contemplating that almost each starter aside from Brady Singer hung out on the injured listing in 2025 and three pitchers — Rhett Lowder, Julian Aguiar and Brandon Williamson — missed your complete season. However to me, it could take a starter to get what they need through a commerce.
Any likelihood that Christian Encarnacion-Strand rebounds this 12 months and fulfills his potential?
It’ll get more durable for him than the previous couple of years as a result of others have handed him on the depth chart. The Reds now have Sal Stewart and Spencer Steer as their essential choices at first base and Ke’Bryan Hayes is locked in at third base. CES was liable to chasing outdoors of the strike zone at dangerous pitches throughout his earlier huge league stints. So far as protection, CES can also be behind others. Steer is a lot better at 1B and Hayes at 3B. So I’d say it is a large camp for him to show he is without doubt one of the finest 26 gamers for the roster.
Are you listening to any buzz from inside the crew as as to if the brand new ABS problem system will have an effect on how they method the catcher place? Will enjoying time, or who catches for which pitchers, be modified up as a result of one is simpler with their challenges?
There’s going to be some adjustment interval in the way it’s used, however I do not assume the ABS system could have a lot to do with enjoying time between Stephenson and Jose Trevino. Francona consulted loads with Triple-A Louisville supervisor Pat Kelly about ABS and the way he has used it. One factor I’d count on is that challenges will come from Reds catchers and never their pitchers.
“I’ve by no means seen a pitcher who does not assume every thing is a strike,” Francona mentioned in the course of the Winter Conferences.
