CINCINNATI -- There is exactly one week of offseason remaining from Monday to when Reds pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report to Spring Training.
For a club coming off of an 83-79 season in 2025 that included its first full-season playoff appearance in 12 years, it's paramount for Cincinnati to keep its momentum this year to not just contend and make the postseason, but to go on a deep run.
Before that can happen, the 26-man roster must be assembled ahead of Opening Day on March 26. As the front office and manager Terry Francona make their evaluations and plans, there are several areas to pay attention to over the next several weeks.
These are five things to watch:
1) The fifth starter battle
Easily the most compelling camp competition, the battle for the final rotation spot features several young pitchers who should make the decision challenging.
The Reds' top pick in the 2024 Draft (second overall), Chase Burns, and his triple-digit velocity made a splash after his June debut. Their first-round pick of 2023, Rhett Lowder, made his debut in '24 with six starts and a 1.17 ERA (rated by MLB Pipeline as Cincinnati’s No. 5 prospect), but he missed all of last season with injuries. Two others, Brandon Williamson and Julian Aguiar (No. 16 prospect), missed all of 2025 rehabbing from elbow surgeries. Another prospect, No. 7 Chase Petty, had some brief opportunities last year but couldn't make the most of them. If the front four of Hunter Greene, Andrew Abbott, Nick Lodolo and Brady Singer all stay healthy, it could take an exceptional spring for the winner of the fifth spot to make the team.
2) Who is at first base and designated hitter? And where does Sal Stewart fit?
The Reds reached an agreement Sunday on a one-year, $15 million contract to bring back Eugenio Suárez, according to a source. While not yet official, the move was made with the idea that Suárez -- who starred for Cincinnati from 2015-21 -- can be mostly a DH but also play third base and first base. He slugged 49 home runs last season for Arizona and Seattle, tying the career high he set for the Reds in 2021.
Spencer Steer was a Gold Glove finalist at first base last season, but he can play multiple positions, including left field. Top prospect Sal Stewart (No. 22 overall for 2026) is a natural third baseman who never played first base before 2025. He was clearly learning on the job in September. He is set to have a similar role as Suárez at 1B, 3B and DH.
Francona will likely have to mix and match and exploit pitching matchups to get all three hitters in the lineup together as often as possible.
3) Who else is needed to step up?
Second baseman Matt McLain never really found a groove last season, but he runs well and plays exceptional defense. Steer slumped mightily in the first month while still dealing with a right shoulder injury. He overcame it and went on to hit 21 home runs while becoming an NL Gold Glove finalist at first base.
Elly De La Cruz hit 18 homers before the All-Star break but only four in the second half, and he played all 162 games despite a nagging left quadriceps strain. Stewart -- who debuted in September and hit five homers in 55 at-bats -- will seek to make the team and be an offensive mainstay. Noelvi Marte, now a full-time right fielder, will seek a full season of solid production. All will need to step up in situational hitting and run production, especially in the late innings.
4) Pitching, defense and run prevention will be key
Even with Suárez in the fold, the Reds will be counting heavily on their solid rotation and a reworked deeper bullpen that added several arms. But Francona and his coaches will also key on the importance of improved defense and making smart plays. Preventing runs will be just as necessary as scoring them.
The defense, which was a team weakness last season, was upgraded at the Trade Deadline with Ke'Bryan Hayes. The third baseman became a two-time Gold Glove winner in the fall. Myers offers stronger defense at all three outfield spots and gives the club a true backup center fielder behind TJ Friedl.
5) Year 2 for Francona
As he did in Boston and Cleveland, Francona led the Reds to the playoffs in his first season as their manager. He spent much of camp last year learning his players and defining his message.
With the first year behind him, Francona will be able to hit the ground running with everybody keenly aware of what he expects.