Cincinnati Reds

If Cincinnati Reds manager Terry Francona could change one thing about the MLB, it would be requiring teams to utilize their entire lineup while in the postseason.

"You're seeing too much bullpen games in the playoffs," Francona said, according to ESPN. "That's not the way teams are really built. Now, I would like to see after 162 games, I would like to see teams have to use their entire roster. I think you would find the true best teams that way."

Francona believes this adjustment would enable the best teams to shine by showcasing the full depth of their rosters ahead of playoff runs, rather than forcing them to alter their strategies during the postseason.

"Not just maybe teams that are top-heavy with a couple of good pitchers and with days off you can throw your bullpen," Francona said, per ESPN. "I mean, I get it. They're competing. I'm not saying they're wrong to do it. Just don't think that's the way our game is built."

Ironically, Francona, known for his team-first mentality, has been dubbed the best manager in baseball for his bullpen management skills, according to both Los Angeles manager Ron Washington and Pittsburgh manager Derek Shelton in the ESPN survey.

Last season, the Reds utilized 63 players throughout the year, highlighting their depth during a 77-85 campaign.

The Cincinnati Reds have shipped away a player once thought to be a big part of their future.

The Reds traded second baseman Jonathan India to the Kansas City Royals on Friday, the team announced. The Reds received starting pitcher Brady Singer in exchange for the 27-year-old while also sending outfielder Joey Wiemer to Kansas City.

We have acquired INF Jonathan India and OF Joey Wiemer from the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for RHP Brady Singer.

— Kansas City Royals (@Royals) November 23, 2024

Trent Rosencrans and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic previously reported on Nov. 16 that the Royals and Reds were engaged in trade discussions involving India, and the two sides were able to get a deal done on Friday.

India had been the subject of multiple trade rumors dating back to last offseason, but the Reds chose not to move him during the 2024 campaign. Kansas City ultimately convinced Cincinnati to give up on a player who showed promise early in his career.

The 2021 National League Rookie of the Year, India has still yet to reach his full potential in MLB. After his stellar first year in the majors, he dealt with injuries in back-to-back seasons that clearly affected his performance.

In 2023, India appeared in 119 games and hit .244 with 17 home runs and 61 RBI.

India overcame a slow start to this past season to finish with a .248 batting average, 15 home runs and 58 RBI while appearing in a career-high 151 games. He underwent a minor "clean up" procedure on his ankle in October that is expected to allow him to have a normal offseason. Cincinnati finished fourth in the NL Central with a 77-85 record, missing the playoffs for the fourth straight year.

As for Singer, he finished with a record of 9-13 in 32 starts last season while posting a 3.71 ERA. He also racked up a career-high 170 strikeouts compared to 54 walks in 179.2 innings of work.

Singer has recorded a sub-four ERA in two of the past three years, which included an impressive 3.23 mark during his 2022 campaign to go along with a 10-5 record.

Wiemer spent time with the Reds as well as the Milwaukee Brewers in 2024, going 4-for-26 with nine combined strikeouts and two walks with both organizations.

India is now joining a Royals squad that finished with an 86-76 record in 2024 before losing to the New York Yankees in the ALDS. If he can stay healthy, he should be a solid addition to a lineup that includes stars Bobby Witt Jr. and Salvador Perez.

The Kansas City Royals are looking at Cincinnati Reds infielder Jonathan India as a potential trade target this offseason.

Ken Rosenthal and C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reported that the Royals have looked into India and could acquire him to fill a second base role that was a revolving door for the team in 2024.

"India, the Cincinnati Reds' second baseman, is one of several hitters the Kansas City Royals are targeting, according to sources briefed on the team's discussions," Rosenthal and Rosecrans wrote.

Rosenthal and Rosecrans reported that the Reds could seek Royals pitcher Brady Singer as a return for India.

Ironically, India and Singer were teammates at the University of Florida and were first-round picks in the 2018 MLB Draft.

India hit .248/.357/.392 with 15 home runs and 58 RBIs in 151 games. He could stabilize the second base position and form a formidable middle infield duo with Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr.

Singer went 9-13 with a 3.71 ERA in 32 starts in 2024. He's a solid middle-of-the-rotation piece with high upside and could help fortify Cincinnati's stable of arms in 2025.

The Cincinnati Reds are hiring Terry Francona as the team's next manager, MLB.com's Mark Feinsand reported.

Francona most recently spent 11 seasons with the Cleveland Guardians organization before stepping down following the 2023 season.

Francona's 23-year managerial career also includes eight years with the Boston Red Sox and four with the Philadelphia Phillies, and he spent one season of his 10-year playing career with the Reds in 1987.

The Reds made a surprise move to fire David Bell on Sept. 22 after six seasons. The decision came 14 months after he signed a three-year extension through the 2026 campaign.

Bell's departure came as the Reds were in the midst of a 77-85 record in 2024. He finished 409-456 with three winning seasons and a postseason appearance in 2020 during his tenure with the club.

Since making the playoffs three times in a four-season span from 2010 to '13, the Reds own the fourth-worst record in Major League Baseball (753-927). The only teams that have been worse are the Miami Marlins, Chicago White Sox and Colorado Rockies.

There is hope for the Reds to challenge for a playoff spot sooner than later. Elly De La Cruz is one of the most dynamic talents in the sport, coming off a season in which he had 71 extra-base hits and an MLB-high 67 stolen bases. Hunter Greene is an ace after posting a 2.75 ERA in 26 starts during the 2024 season.

Top prospect Rhett Lowder looked terrific with a 1.12 ERA in six starts late in the season after being called up from Triple-A. Chase Burns, the No. 2 pick in the 2024 MLB draft, could move fast through the minors and be in Cincinnati at some point next year.

There is work for the front office to help out that core group of players, but that quartet is a great starting point for any organization to build around.

Francona marked a 1950-1672 overall record during his prior managerial career, which was highlighted by breaking an 86-year championship drought by leading the Red Sox to World Series titles in 2004 and 2007.

He then headed to Cleveland in 2013 and went on to lead his team to an AL pennant in 2016. When Francona stepped away from the MLB to focus on his health after the 2023 season he left as the winningest manager in Guardians franchise history.

A Nevada coroner determined that former Cincinnati Reds star Pete Rose died on Monday at age 83 due to heart disease.

Rose's cause of death was "hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease," with diabetes mellitus as a significant condition, according to a report from Clark County coroner Melanie Rouse (per Erin Couch of the Cincinnati Enquirer and Emily Sanderson of WLWT 5.)

The manner of Rose's death was determined to be natural.

Diabetes mellitus refers to multiple diseases that can cause blood sugar usage issues, according to the Mayo Clinic. Diabetes, as well as atherosclerosis and hypertension, are considered risk factors for heart problems including heart attack or stroke, per the Mayo Clinic.

The Clark County medical examiner previously told ABC News that Rose's death would be investigated after he was found by a family member in his home. The examiner reported that there were "no signs of foul play," per Mark Osborne and Angeline Jane Bernabe.

The examiner also noted that Rose "was not under the care of a doctor when he died," per Osborne and Bernabe.

During his 24-year-year MLB career, highlighted by 19 seasons with the Cincinnati Reds, Rose set MLB records with 4,256 career hits in 3,562 games played between 1963 and 1986.

As a player, Rose was named an All-Star 17 times and won two World Series with the Reds and one with the Philadelphia Phillies. He then served as the Reds manager before he was banned from MLB in 1989 for violating league betting policy.

The ban kept the Cincinnati native out of the National Baseball Hall of Fame, but not from being honored in his hometown. Rose was named to the Reds Hall of Fame in 2016, and the team unveiled a statue of him in front of Great American Ball Park in 2017.

The Cincinnati Reds are targeting multiple options to fill the team's vacancy at manager.

According to USA Today's Bob Nightengale, former Miami Marlins skipper Skip Schumaker is Cincinnati's "No. 1 target" for the position. Former Chicago Cubs manager David Ross is also "expected" to receive an interview with the team.

The Reds fired former manager David Bell on Sept. 22 in the midst of an underwhelming season that saw the team miss the postseason for the fourth consecutive year. With 85 losses, Cincinnati will also finish with a worse record than the team's 82-80 mark in 2023.

Yasmani Grandal lifts a 2-run #walkoff BLAST! 💥 pic.twitter.com/SWGAq5nD6u

— MLB (@MLB) August 25, 2024

ESPN's Jeff Passan reported on Saturday that Schumaker told Marlins players that he miss Miami's final two games due to a family issue and would not be back with the organization in 2025.

Although the Marlins sit at 61-100 this season, they won 84 games in 2023. Schumaker was rewarded for the effort, winning last season's NL Manager of the Year award.

Ross was fired by the Cubs after narrowly missing the postseason in 2023. He made progress with Chicago before his exit, as the team's win total increased in each of his final three years as manager.

The cost of hiring a new manager will likely factor into Cincinnati's decision-making process, as Bell is still owed $4.9 million over the next two years (h/t Gordon Wittenmyer of the Cincinnati Enquirer).

As the Reds begin their search for a new manager, Schumaker and Ross are reportedly at the top of their list.

The Cincinnati Reds announced Sunday that they have fired manager David Bell,.

Per 700WLW's Lance McAlister, the Reds appointed Freddie Benavides as interim coach for the final five games of the season. Bench coach Jeff Pickler was also fired.

Reds president Nick Krall explained the decision to fire Bell during a press conference on Monday:

Nick Krall said the decision was made and the timing allows them to meet with people over the final road trip moving forward

— C. Trent Rosecrans (@ctrent) September 23, 2024

Nick Krall: There were philosophical differences. I'll keep those internal.

— Charlie Goldsmith (@CharlieG__) September 23, 2024

Nick Krall: This was my decision.

On ownership: "Everyone was involved. We've talked to them. I've talked to Bob about this over the last few weeks."

— Charlie Goldsmith (@CharlieG__) September 23, 2024

Nick Krall says Derek Johnson is under contract for next year and "moving forward"

— C. Trent Rosecrans (@ctrent) September 23, 2024

JR House will move to bench coach, Collin Cowgill will move to third base coach and Kyle Arnsberg will move to first base coach

— C. Trent Rosecrans (@ctrent) September 23, 2024

Cincinnati is 76-81 on the year and will miss the postseason for the fourth straight season. The Reds made the playoffs just one time during Bell's six-year tenure.

Bell made his managerial debut for the Reds in 2019 after Jim Riggleman was not retained as interim manager following Bryan Price's firing. He led the Reds to the postseason in the shortened COVID-19 season in 2020 as Cincinnati finished 31-29, but the Reds faced a wild-card exit to the Atlanta Braves without scoring a run in the series.

The 2020 postseason was the only one Bell reached during his time in Cincinnati, and the Reds lost 100 games for just the second time in franchise history in 2022. Things improved slightly in 2023 as Bell led the Reds to an 82-80 record, which prompted Cincinnati to extend Bell through the 2026 season halfway through the year.

Last year's improvement led the Reds to believe they could compete for a division title and a postseason berth this year, but the 2024 season proved otherwise.

"David provided the kind of steadiness that we needed in our clubhouse over the last few seasons," Reds president of baseball operations Nick Krall said in a statement. "We felt a change was needed to move the Major League team forward. We have not achieved the success we expected, and we need to begin focusing on 2025."

Bell finished with a 409-456 record across his six seasons. His 32 managerial ejections are also the most in franchise history.

The Reds' interim manager, Benavides, has been with the Reds organization in different capacities since 2007 and became Cincinnati's first-base coach in 2016. He was moved to bench coach ahead of the 2019 season.

While the Reds' coaching search is still in the early stages, one name has already emerged. USA Today's Bob Nightengale reported shortly after Bell's firing that Miami Marlins manager Skip Schumaker is on Cincinnati's radar as a replacement.

While Schumaker hasn't been fired yet, a 57-99 season for the Marlins seems to indicate his time in Miami is coming to an end.

The Cincinnati Reds are calling up No. 2 prospect (No. 35 in MLB) and right-handed starting pitcher Rhett Lowder to the majors, per The Athletic's C. Trent Rosecrans, who added that the 22-year-old will start for the team Friday at home against the Milwaukee Brewers.

Lowder, who stands at 6'2" and 200 pounds, has gone 6-4 with a 3.64 ERA (1.15 WHIP) and 113 strikeouts over 108.2 innings (22 starts) for High-A Dayton, Double-A Chattanooga and Triple-A Louisville.

Lowder made just one start for Louisville before the Reds called him to the bigs, striking out seven over six shutout innings while allowing three hits and no walks against Gwinnett last Thursday.

Rhett Lowder gets the call!

Lowder was drafted 7th overall last summer and has surged through MiLB this season. He has posted a 3.64 ERA and 3.20 FIP in 108.2 IP

He wields a 3 pitch mix which features a great slider and a changeup which frustrates hitters

Congratulations! https://t.co/p07b5TjnN5 pic.twitter.com/MvaindceUm

— Thomas Nestico (@TJStats) August 28, 2024

Lowder joined the Reds in 2023 after Cincinnati selected the ex-Wake Forest star with the seventh overall pick in the MLB draft. Last month, he pitched for the National League in the All-Star Futures Game, throwing one shutout inning while allowing one hit and striking out one.

Lowder starred at Wake Forest, going 15-0 with a 1.87 ERA and 143 strikeouts over 120.1 innings in his final season. He didn't pitch in 2023 after his collegiate season ended, but he didn't even need one year in the minors before the Reds felt he was ready for a call-up.

The MLB.com scouting report raves about Lowder, who has a bright future ahead of him.

"Lowder's feel for pitching is so good that sometimes his pure stuff is underrated. His fastball can tap out at around 97 mph, sitting easily in the 92-95 mph range, and it has more sink than ride, getting a lot of weak ground-ball contact. He brings one of the best changeups in the college game to the Reds, a mid-80s offering with huge fade that he'll throw to hitters on both sides of the plate. His low-80s slider has more depth than sweep, and it flashes plus."

Per Sam Dykstra of MLB.com, Lowder is now the eighth member of the draft class of 2023 to make the big leagues.

Rhett Lowder will become the eighth 2023 Draft pick to to reach the Majors.

Five of the top seven selections from last year's Draft will have seen The Show: No. 1 Paul Skenes, No. 2 Dylan Crews, No. 4 Wyatt Langford, No. 6 Jacob Wilson, No. 7 Rhett Lowder https://t.co/uLPqyW2iLb

— Sam Dykstra (@SamDykstraMiLB) August 28, 2024

Lowder receives a tough assignment to start against a 75-56 Brewers team enjoying a nine-game lead in the NL Central, but he arrives in MLB riding the high of a tremendous Triple-A start. Given his tremendous potential and success, it wouldn't be a surprise to see Lowder end this year on a high note for the Reds.

Cincinnati Reds superstar Elly De La Cruz joined an elite club on Wednesday, becoming just the fifth player in MLB history to ever steal 60 bases and hit 20 home runs in a single season.

He reached the mark with this stolen base:

He's so fast, he makes fast people look not fast! 💨

That's 60 stolen bases for Elly De La Cruz! ⚡️

(via @MLB)pic.twitter.com/KTTigDyofI

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) August 22, 2024

Elly De La Cruz is the fifth player in MLB history to enter the 20/60 Club. pic.twitter.com/T2yGNOGm4o

— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) August 22, 2024

Interestingly, three of the five players on that list—De La Cruz, Joe Morgan and Eric Davis—accomplished the feat while members of the Reds.

De La Cruz, 22, is fast becoming one of the most electrifying players in baseball. Alongside his 60 steals and 21 homers, he came into Wednesday night with 53 RBI, 79 runs and a .825 OPS in 124 games, alongside playing defense so smooth it had Snoop Dogg shook earlier this season.

Snoop Dogg is AMAZED by Elly De La Cruz 👀 pic.twitter.com/cefAGsrOsG

— MLB (@MLB) June 15, 2024

He's truly a special player.

Cincinnati Reds legend Joey Votto announced his retirement after 17 MLB seasons in an Instragram post on Wednesday, closing the book on a remarkable career that will someday land him in the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Joey Votto announces that he is officially retiring from baseball. 🐐⚾ #Reds pic.twitter.com/UZhZE4Pu4m

— Cincinnati 💔 (@CincyProblems) August 21, 2024

As a follow-up to his Instagram announcement, Votto shared a story of a conversation he had with his Uber driver. When the driver asked if he was a player, Votto, for likely the first time, responded with a simple "No."

Driving to the stadium right now. My Uber driver asked, "Are you a player?" I said, "No."

— Joey Votto (@JoeyVotto) August 22, 2024

On the field, Votto was sensational.

.@JoeyVotto was one of a kind 👏

Congratulations on an amazing career, Joey! pic.twitter.com/oeHpaMIzIV

— MLB (@MLB) August 21, 2024

Reminder: Joey Votto was one of the greatest hitters to ever play the game of baseball. Top 20 in wRC+ since 1947.

Was on pace to break the single season doubles record + win his second MVP in 2012 before an injury. Should’ve won in 2017.

Absolute legend. #Reds pic.twitter.com/ZJUKrTHdEM

— OnBaseMachine (@RedsFan_Brandon) August 21, 2024

Six-time All-Star Joey Votto announced his retirement on Instagram tonight, ending a career that included an NL MVP award, a lifetime .920 OPS and one of the the best power-patience combinations of his generation. He spent all 17 of his big league seasons with Cincinnati.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) August 21, 2024

Joey Votto took the league by storm, winning NL MVP in his third full MLB season 🔥 pic.twitter.com/2oQzXcIoZS

— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) August 21, 2024

Votto retires as one of 18 players with 350+ HR and a .400 or better OBP. 13 of those 18 are in the Hall of Fame, while the others are Bonds, Ramirez, Trout*, Berkman.

Votto should be first ballot when he becomes eligible.

*active https://t.co/ef0FotD2VR

— Louis Addeo-Weiss (@addeo_louis00) August 21, 2024

There is a very, very long list of things I love about Joey Votto.

Maybe at the top of the list is the that in what will now go down as his final big league game, he got tossed.

His HOF candidacy won’t be without its detractors, which is fine.

But he will get to…

— Mo Egger (@MoEgger) August 21, 2024

Votto is easily one of my favorite non-Royals players in my lifetime. Should be a first ballot Hall of Famer imo, and feels like he’s been underrated most of his career. https://t.co/6kNM832yGK

— Preston Farr (@royalsminors) August 21, 2024

Joey Votto has announced that he’s retiring from baseball.

One of the best hitters of his generation. pic.twitter.com/TcGJkrBDXV

— MLB Deadline News (@MLBDeadlineNews) August 21, 2024

End of an era. Reds legend and future HOFer. https://t.co/Bhj7uz3XfK

— Ethan Harris (@CoachEHarris) August 21, 2024

See you all in Cooperstown in a few years for the Joey Votto Hall of Fame induction.

— Chad Dotson (@dotsonc) August 21, 2024

Five short years until Joey Votto is inducted into the MLB Hall of Fame. 🐐#Reds pic.twitter.com/Um5LhwGMFS

— Rick Ucchino (@RickUcchino) August 21, 2024

https://twitter.com/fttfcincy/status/1826397523898237102

Joey Votto is by far the best Reds player I have ever had the pleasure of watching play.

An absolute legend.

— Danny Samet (@SannyDamet) August 21, 2024

However, Votto's personable nature—specifically his uncanny ability to genuinely connect with his fans, teammates and others—may be his lasting legacy. One didn't have to go far to find out how much Votto meant to people.

Never forget this Joey Votto moment 😭

(via @THEkeeganhaag)pic.twitter.com/mu3pcfuoEw

— B/R Walk-Off (@BRWalkoff) August 21, 2024

there will never be another joey votto https://t.co/zh51ERCJSr pic.twitter.com/qUwVkxo2dE

— Logan (@loganstephens24) August 21, 2024

Happy retirement to Joey Votto. You’re one of the best players but most importantly human beings the game as ever seen pic.twitter.com/NIoslYBYYX

— BaseballHistoryNut (@nut_history) August 21, 2024

“If Joey Votto didn’t swing it wasn’t a strike” my fave player to ever be a Red. pic.twitter.com/U5xL2K5lNP

— paige 🎃 (@CincyPJolene) August 21, 2024

Cincinnati will always love you, @JoeyVotto. #Reds https://t.co/r4ynILLUgF pic.twitter.com/1RWvCBpCys

— Reds Daily (@RedsDaily4) August 21, 2024

Thank you for EVERYTHING, @JoeyVotto.

Future hall of famer. 🐐 pic.twitter.com/MjAPT7mTOJ

— ATBBTTR (@ATBBTTR) August 21, 2024

There will never be another Joey Votto. https://t.co/L9TO0wDKra pic.twitter.com/urxVHMO7VF

— Rustin Dodd (@rustindodd) August 21, 2024

Votto was a heck of a ballplayer.

But I can't stop thinking about the singular energy he carried: Funny, insightful, emotional, honest.

A kind soul, a rare bird that left baseball better than when he entered it and entertained us along the way.

What a legacy, what a run.

— Céspedes Family BBQ (@CespedesBBQ) August 21, 2024

Im sad to see Joey Votto retire but I cant lie, Im happy this is what his baseball card will look like https://t.co/ZPo521qytP

— jack (@Jolly_Olive) August 21, 2024

Never forget that Joey Votto reminds St. Louis Uber drivers that he beat Albert Pujols in 2010 NL MVP voting. pic.twitter.com/ntnLjLCvKl

— Michael Bradburn (@MWBII) August 21, 2024

I am struggling to find the words to explain how much Joey votto means to me https://t.co/Q76moJ3i2j

— Damon Gumbert (@Damon_Gumbert) August 21, 2024

Joey Votto is a hall of fame player and person.

He did a lot of kind things behind-the-scenes to help a lot of people.

— Lindsay Patterson (@LndsPatterson) August 22, 2024

Joey Votto made his MLB debut when I was 10 years old and became one of my favorite players of all time. I loved the way he played the game and tried to model my game after his. A true trailblazer and a future HOF. Reds country can not say thank you enough. pic.twitter.com/h5MJISutKp

— Brandon (@DatDudeBR) August 21, 2024

And so Votto rides into the sunset after a phenomenal career spanning nearly two decades. He'll undoubtedly make his home in Cooperstown, but Votto's endearing personality and down-to-Earth nature won't soon be forgotten either.