Last year, the Cincinnati Reds finished with a 77-85 record, landing them fourth in a relatively weak NL Central division and 12 games out of the NL Wild Card race. Following that disappointing season, the Reds have taken a more aggressive approach under president of baseball operations Nick Krall. Krall brought in Terry Francona as manager and made key moves, trading for Brady Singer, José Treviño, and Gavin Lux to bolster the roster.
While these additions bring noticeable upgrades, they come with some drawbacks. Treviño is on the final year of his contract, while Singer and Lux each have only two years of team control remaining. Additionally, Krall traded away veteran second baseman Jonathan India, who led the team—and all second basemen aside from Ketel Marte—in on-base percentage last season. These moves suggest the Reds are shifting toward a win-now mentality, but the question remains: are they ready to contend?
Two key areas requiring improvement are first base and the designated hitter spot. Reds first basemen combined for a .224 average, a .269 on-base percentage, and just 18 home runs last season. The DH role fared even worse, with a .203 average, .264 OBP, and 16 home runs. For the Reds to make a serious push for contention, they’ll likely need to address at least one of these positions.
One glaring issue from last season was the lack of a dedicated DH, which hindered the lineup’s consistency. While the Reds have some internal options, they might find the best solution in a trade—potentially with a division rival.
The Brewers may be looking to shop Rhys Hoskins
In December, reports emerged that the Brewers were considering trading first baseman Rhys Hoskins. Set to earn $18 million in 2025 with a mutual option for 2026 at the same amount, Hoskins surprised Milwaukee by opting into his contract. The Brewers had intended to allocate those funds elsewhere, and if that sentiment persists among the front office, a Hoskins trade could be on the horizon.
Hoskins, a proven power hitter, is coming off a down season in which he posted a .214/.303/.419 slash line with 26 home runs during an injury-shortened campaign. Despite the struggles, his 26 homers in 449 at-bats highlight his ability to provide pop. In Cincinnati, the hitter-friendly dimensions of Great American Ball Park could slightly boost his power numbers—Baseball Savant estimates he would have hit 28 home runs there. Even with his down year, Hoskins’ 26 long balls would have led the Reds, narrowly surpassing Elly De La Cruz’s 25.
However, trading for Hoskins carries risks. He has a history of injuries, including a torn ACL that sidelined him for the entire 2023 season. His contract also complicates matters, as Milwaukee might need to cover part of his salary to make a deal more palatable. Even then, the financial commitment may still be a tough sell for Cincinnati, given the risk involved.
That said, if Hoskins can return to form, he could provide the offensive jolt the Reds need. He continues to draw walks and barrel the ball at an impressive rate, which bodes well for a potential bounce-back. If last year’s struggles were merely injury-related, Hoskins could be poised for a resurgent season.
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