Are the Reds primed to make deep run in 2026?

This story was excerpted from Mark Sheldon's Reds Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

CINCINNATI -- After several years of being on the outside looking in, the Reds finally broke through and achieved a goal of reaching the postseason in 2025 on the final day of the regular season. In 2026, just making the playoffs won't be viewed as enough.

Cincinnati has higher ambitions, and that was underscored just before Spring Training when it shored up an offense deficit by bringing back Eugenio Suárez. That happened after the front office rebuilt the bullpen and upgraded defensively. Now, the club must put all the ingredients together on the field.

“We have a really good group," Suárez said. "We have to believe in each other and put everything on the field, play hard every time to win games. Not trying to be a superhero, do your best every time. I think it’s going to be a really good year for us as a team. I can’t wait for that."

In his second year as Reds manager, Terry Francona was able to hit the ground running at Spring Training without a period of getting to know his players and staff. It made it easier to get work done and focus on improving.

"Does that translate into wins the first week? I hope. But there are no guarantees there," Francona said. "But I do know that regardless of how we start, we’ll keep playing. And that’s a good feeling because you never quite know. If [Garrett] Crochet decides to dial one up on us, those things happen. But I don’t think anybody’s going to run, we’ll be OK.”

As the real games begin on Thursday vs. Crochet and the Red Sox, let's take a look at the season ahead.

What needs to go right? Produce offense consistently

Rotation health is certainly an obvious one, and it’s already a current issue with Hunter Greene sidelined to start the season, and now, Nick Lodolo dealing with an injury. But what was missing consistently throughout last year was offense, namely situational hitting. The signing of Suárez was a huge addition, and it should protect Elly De La Cruz, who will bat third just ahead of him. A better year from Matt McLain and a full season of rookie Sal Stewart should also help provide more offense. But if the pitching repeats its success of last season, it will be paramount that run support is provided to get Cincinnati where it wants to go -- a deep run into the playoffs.

Great unknown: 1B Sal Stewart

Cincinnati's top prospect and baseball’s No. 22 overall, Stewart will be playing his first full Major League season. Still only 22, the right-handed hitter led the club in September with five home runs, then showed dedication to learning first base in the offseason and continuing to do so on the fly in the big leagues. He also dropped 26 pounds and put together an impressive Spring Training. The Feb. 3 signing of Suárez should take pressure off Stewart to produce some of the offense that was missing for the club overall in 2025. If Stewart can build on his small sample from last season, he could be an NL Rookie of the Year candidate.

Team MVP will be ... Elly De La Cruz

De La Cruz came out of the gate hot last season and had 18 home runs by the All-Star break. But he dealt with a left quad strain in the second half and the grind of playing all 162 games wore him down. He hit only four more homers after the break. With more strength added entering his fourth season, and Stewart and Suárez hitting behind him, this could be the season in which De La Cruz puts it all together.

Team Cy Young will be ... Andrew Abbott

Abbott modeled consistency last season and became a first-time All-Star. Out of his 29 starts, the lefty held opponents to one earned run or fewer 17 times. With more offensive support, he could be even tougher for opponents if he’s able to pitch with a lead more often.

Abbott already emerged as the staff ace once when Greene was on the injured list and the chance is there to do it again. Greene won't be back from elbow surgery until July. With Lodolo now dealing with a blister and in danger of missing time, Abbott will be needed more than ever as Cincinnati's pitching depth is already being tested.

Bold Prediction: Suárez will hit 50 home runs

Maybe this isn't bold enough? After all, Suárez hit 49 homers last season for Arizona and Seattle. But that number hasn't been reached in Cincinnati since … Suárez in 2019. If he can break the 50-homer mark and perhaps challenge George Foster's 1977 franchise record of 52, Suárez could likely help lead the Reds on a thrilling playoff run.