CINCINNATI -- At Redsfest one year ago, the Reds were coming off of a 100-loss season amid a big roster teardown. The rebuilding process was in full swing and the offseason fan festival leaned heavily on prospects the organization hoped would bring the club back to contending in future years.
That future came quickly as Cincinnati's rebuild accelerated faster than expected. Those prospects -- including Matt McLain, Elly De La Cruz, Andrew Abbott, Spencer Steer and Christian Encarnacion-Strand -- arrived earlier than anticipated and played pivotal roles.
The Reds proved an exciting, athletic contender in 2023 before finishing 82-80 and just missing the playoffs. That has only heightened buzz for the 2024 season during 2023 Redsfest.
“There’s going to be expectations, different expectations -- hopefully higher," McLain said. "It’s something we all want. The pressure that we all wanted last year when we were here, people saying, 'There’s this wave of talent.' We wanted to be those guys who showed up and played well -- now we are. Now we want to be the guys [who] take Cincinnati to the playoffs.
"It’s not just the young guys. It’s everyone on the whole roster. We want to be a part of that year in and year out and build that tradition and bring back that tradition of winning baseball in Cincinnati.”
In 2023, the D-backs won 84 games and reached the postseason as the final National League Wild Card entry. Once they got in, Arizona went all the way to the World Series before losing to the champion Rangers.
“It definitely set [our] sights on the postseason for sure next year,” Abbott said. “It also tells you what a hot team can do in the playoffs. They came in scalding hot and they were playing scalding hot all the way through until the end.
“We have, as a team, the picture of the postseason in mind. The guys are really -- motivated is a good word I would describe it -- when you’re kind of focused on the objective of the entire team. Obviously, improving yourself is first and foremost but that also includes the team as a whole."
The Reds didn't have final attendance numbers, but most felt that crowds at Redsfest on Friday and Saturday were larger than those of recent years. Walkways were crowded with fans, lines for autographs and pictures were long -- especially those for De La Cruz and McLain -- and the seats near the main stage were often full of spectators.
“I think it’s a lot more energy from fans," starting pitcher Nick Lodolo said. "We’ve been talking about what it could be. We saw glimpses of it and it’s still not where we think it will be and where we can be. Everybody is excited because everyone here wants to win. Especially going into Spring Training, I think it’s going to be a completely different vibe and just ready to roll.”
The additions of potential starting pitcher Nick Martinez and reliever Emilio Pagán had Reds players pleased about the club trying to make improvements for next season.
“I like it; those guys are definitely going to help us," Lodolo said. "I don’t know if we’re done. Any way we can get better, I’m here for it."
“They’re making moves and I think they’re going to help out immediately," Abbott said. "They’re veterans. They’ve been up there and have done it for a while. They’ll just hit the ground running.”
With the Winter Meetings to follow in the upcoming week, plus two-plus months of offseason left before Spring Training, the Reds could still get better.
Even if they don't make any more dynamic additions, it’s evident many -- players and fans alike -- like the group that's already in place.
“It’s a special team this coming year," second baseman Jonathan India said. "And all of those rookies now have a year under their belts. They’re all going to improve. With them improving and having more experience, it’s going to be another scary year for us. I think it’s going to be a good year this year.”