Reddit AMA: How aggressive will Reds be this offseason?

On Monday, Reds beat reporter Mark Sheldon held an Ask Me Anything on Reddit with fans at r/reds. This mailbag features questions and answers from there. The full AMA can be read here. Questions and responses have been lightly edited for clarity.

How aggressive do you think the Reds will be this offseason considering they seem to be “so close” to making a deep run, and where do you feel they need to focus?

“Aggressive” is hard to measure based on the payroll total and the market still being in the early stages. I think they will certainly have to get creative to fill their needs. It is imperative that the Reds build on the season they just had.

How aggressive do you think the team will be in promoting some of the younger prospects like Cam Collier and Alfredo Duno?

The Reds have been more aggressive in recent years with moving prospects up quickly -- such as Elly De La Cruz, Rhett Lowder and Chase Burns, among others. Infielder Cam Collier reached Double-A Chattanooga in 2025 after starting at High-A Dayton. He also missed time with a left thumb injury. I could see Collier (who ended the season as MLB Pipeline's No. 94 overall prospect and the Reds' No. 6) reaching Triple-A Louisville in 2026, and then it's always possible to be a call away from a big promotion. Catcher Alfredo Duno is only 19 and was at Single-A Daytona this past year. He's a very well-liked prospect though (No. 48 overall, Reds' No. 2). But, especially because of his position, it will take a while before he could be considered for a big league callup. He needs development time.

“But for a guy with a long-term contract who says he wants to be a leader, Greene needs to start showing it and get back on the field.”

As a reporter, why did you feel comfortable asserting your opinion about the level of discomfort Hunter Greene felt during his injury recovery? It made some of us feel like you were carrying water for those in the organization complaining about it, and it put you in league with local rabble rousing opinion columnists instead of other reporters.

This was a snippet of a story I wrote during the All-Star break that mentioned Hunter Greene.

1. I stand by the story without qualification.
2. It was written from a perspective that was informed by conversations with various team personnel.
3. I carry water for nobody. I also feel that I am impartial.

While I certainly concede that only a player can truly know how hurt or how much discomfort he feels, I will note that very few players are ever feeling 100 percent once the season starts. The grind of the 162-game schedule means a lot of players play through something. This was a Grade 1 groin strain, the least serious of that type.

Why did you start the Hunter Greene trade rumors?

I didn't start any rumors. My reporting throughout the season led me there. The job calls for me to make authoritative analysis or speculation. The Reds need offense and bullpen help. They aren't likely targeting top free agents who command big dollars. Their best hope for an impact bat, especially, is via a trade. When trades are made, you have to give up something to get something. There is no better trade chip than Greene right now. You can't deal a third catcher and middle reliever and expect to get what would help this team's lineup.

What caused you to ask about Hunter Greene -- specifically -- possibly being traded?

See what I wrote above. But I did forget to mention that their starting pitching is where they have the most depth. The Reds also had a winning record while he was on the injured list, so it shows they have other good arms that stepped up.

How much hope do you have for Tejay Antone to make a full comeback and earn Cy Young and Comeback Player of the Year Awards at the same time?

Tejay Antone was just signed back as a Minor League free agent. I certainly hope for a full comeback but have also seen his painful setbacks to know it isn't assured. He certainly deserves all the respect for trying to come back again from a third Tommy John surgery. This is largely uncharted waters.

Who is your favorite non-player employee that you’ve interacted with at the stadium during your time reporting on the Reds?

I have been fortunate to have been around a lot of good people during my 20 years of covering the Reds. It's hard to zero in on one favorite though. There are team employees like Larry Herms, Jamie Ramsey and Rob Butcher from media relations. There are fellow writers like the late John Fay, who I certainly miss. And there are TV and radio colleagues such as Jim Day, Tommy Thrall and Ron "Rufus" Millennor -- people I see almost daily for over six months a year. I'd have to say though that no one probably made me laugh harder at work than Marty Brennaman. It was always fun to see him in the clubhouse or radio booth.