Reds' core players 'need to step up' in 2026

CINCINNATI -- The Reds' front office had little choice but to digest the reality that the club was knocked out of the postseason in the first round by the Dodgers. It was obviously much earlier than they had hoped.

But very quickly, attention has turned towards 2026.

“Obviously, a tough week last week," president of baseball operations Nick Krall said on Monday. "But it was great to break through and make the postseason. We got close in ’21 and ’23. It’s the first time we’ve made a full-season playoff since ’13. It’s just keep making progress.”

While finishing 83-79 in 2025, the Reds earned the third National League Wild Card spot on the final day of the regular season. Then they were swept in two games last week at Los Angeles.

“I think we took a step in the right direction, something that we’ve been building towards for a couple of years," general manager Brad Meador said. "I think that was an important step, especially with a young group. But we go into the offseason now and say, ‘OK then, what’s next? How do we get better?’

"We’re losing some key parts and we’re losing some leaders. I think it’s really important that we not only bring those guys back or replace those guys but also continue to move forward and take the next step.”

Whatever the Reds end up doing with their roster, the coaching staff will remain intact. Krall said all of manager Terry Francona's coaches were invited back for 2026.

As for the roster and how to fill needs, it's still early. Real early. The baseball operations department has not yet been told what next season's budget will be. That should be known by the end of October before possible moves can be explored.

"We’re working through that right now," Krall said. “I want to wait until we get a budget first. Then once we get that, we’ll figure out where we are with arbitration raises and everything else. Then we’ll figure out what we have left.”

Much of the rotation is under club control for next season – including Hunter Greene, Nick Lodolo, Andrew Abbott, Brady Singer and Chase Burns. There are also three young starters who missed all of this season with injuries in Rhett Lowder (Cincinnati's No. 5 prospect) Brandon Williamson and Julian Aguiar (No. 16 prospect) who will be in the mix to compete for spots. Zack Littell will be a free agent.

It's a more fluid situation for the bullpen. Closer Emilio Pagán, Scott Barlow and versatile pitcher Nick Martinez will be free agents, while Brent Suter has a club option. Tony Santillan and Graham Ashcraft are already set, while young pitchers Lyon Richardson, Connor Phillips, Zach Maxwell (No. 24 prospect) and Luis Mey will compete for roles next season.

Offensively and defensively, there is room for improvement. Situational hitting was a big weakness – including a 3-12 record in extra-inning games – and the team lacked power. Elly De La Cruz, who led the club with only 22 home runs, had long droughts without clearing the fences. The team's defense also ranked near the bottom of the league in multiple areas.

"We’ve got to improve both aspects of our position players," Krall said. “I think we need to improve across the board offensively. We had guys that had down years. Some of it’s going to be internal. Some of it might be bringing somebody in from the outside.

"We did a good job with defensive efficiency, but our defensive range and everything could be better across the board.”

Much of the team's position player core is expected back, including De La Cruz, Matt McLain, Spencer Steer, TJ Friedl, Tyler Stephenson, Jose Trevino, Gavin Lux, Noelvi Marte and Ke'Bryan Hayes. Top prospect Sal Stewart had an impressive one month in the big leagues and will be working at first base in the offseason with the hope to earn a spot in Spring Training. Miguel Andujar will be a free agent, while Austin Hays has a $12 million mutual option ($1 million buyout). Both sides must pick it up for Hays to return.

Last offseason, the Reds keyed on leadership when making trades for Lux, Trevino and Singer while signing Hays as a free agent. Next season, it might have to come from within.

“We brought those types of guys in and they did help kind of show the way," Meador said. "Internally, some guys need to step up. We need guys to have good offseasons, show back up ready to go, show back up ready to take the next step. They know this. We all know we need to take the next step. Part of that is leadership. Some of the young guys aren’t young anymore. We need some guys to take the next step as being leaders in our clubhouse and our team too.”