The Cincinnati Reds kicked off the offseason by trading Jonathan India and minor league outfielder Joey Wiemer to the Kansas City Royals for right-handed pitcher Brady Singer. With a healthy roster, India would likely have been shifted to a super-utility role rather than being an everyday player. Singer, on the other hand, will step into the Reds’ starting rotation. While the team has some pitching depth, injuries are always a concern.
After the trade, Cincinnati’s front office made it clear their focus is on improving both offense and defense. Their offense struggled in 2024, slashing .231/.305/.388 with an OPS+ of 88 (12% below league average when accounting for park factors). In contrast, the pitching staff was a strong point, finishing with an ERA+ of 108 (8% better than league average). With the return of Nick Martinez and the addition of Singer, the rotation looks even stronger heading into 2025.
In the NL Central, the Brewers dominated in 2024, winning the division by 10 games with a 93-69 record. On Friday, Milwaukee made waves by trading closer Devin Williams to the Yankees for starter Nestor Cortes, a prospect, and cash. Cortes, who posted a 3.77 ERA over 174.1 innings last year, brings a strong track record despite missing much of 2023. The trade marks a shift in Milwaukee’s pitching staff, though its success remains to be seen.
Meanwhile, the Chicago Cubs made a major move, acquiring slugger Kyle Tucker from the Houston Astros in exchange for Isaac Paredes, Hayden Wesneski, and a prospect. Tucker, a three-time All-Star, hit .289/.408/.585 in 2024 despite missing significant time due to injury. Since his breakout in 2020, he has posted an OPS+ of 143 with 121 home runs. The Cubs’ offense, which finished league average in 2024 (100 OPS+), gets a significant boost with Tucker in the lineup.
For the Reds, the 2025 roster appears improved, at least on paper. Players like Matt McLain, Christian Encarnacion-Strand, Jeimer Candelario, and Jake Fraley are expected to have larger or healthier contributions. However, the team still has significant ground to cover to contend for the division.
Since acquiring Singer, the Reds have been linked to several trade and free-agent rumors but have yet to finalize any additional moves. Talks for players like Luis Robert Jr., Josh Naylor, and Lane Thomas, as well as free agents like Nick Pivetta and James McCann, have yet to materialize.
While the Reds have the talent to compete without a major offseason splash, it would require exceptional health and performance across the roster—something rare in baseball. Even with a deep rotation featuring Greene, Lodolo, Abbott, Martinez, Singer, Ashcraft, and Lowder, Cincinnati has continued to explore options like Nick Pivetta, signaling their desire to further solidify their chances in 2025.
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