After finishing the 2024 season 77-85 and firing head coach David Bell the Reds were looking for any way to turn around their squad. They started this quest with the hiring of Terry "Tito"  Francona, who needs no introduction but I will give you one anyway. Francona has 23 years of MLB managing experience boasting  a 1950-1672 all-time record, winning 2 World Series' with the Red Sox and 1 American League Pennant with the Cleveland Indians. Francona stepped away from coaching after the 2023 season with Cleveland, citing health concerns and a loss of passion for the game as the reason.  Furthermore, Francona stated that the job "just felt right" and that he saw a  "group of winners". 

Next up was making some decisions about the roster, the Reds would  move 2B  Johnathan India and LF Joey Wiemer to the Royals for RHP Brady Singer. This was an excellent move and addressed a glaring hole in the Reds pitching. Brady Singer is coming off a 3.71 ERA in the 2024 season, the second best of his five seasons. Singer is entering his peak and I expect a roughly 2.0 ERA from him this coming season. Singer will make a terrific addition to the Reds with a reds rotation already boasting the likes of Hunter Greene and Nick Lodolo.

The next move the Reds made was moving RHP Fernando Cruz and C Alex Jackson to the Yankees in exchange for C Jose Trevino. This was an incredible move, acquiring  such an incredible defensive player in exchange for an aging pitching liability in Fernando Cruz who put up a lousy a 4.86 ERA and 3-8 record in 2024. I am excited to see what Trevino can do for the Reds behind the plate this year.

To address the hole left in the infield after moving India, the Reds would  acquire IF Gavin Lux from the Dodgers in exchange for a Competitive Balance A Round Pick and OF Mike  Sirota. Gavin Lux was injured in the 2023 Spring training and missed the entire 2023 season. His injury would linger into the 2024 season, causing some disappointing  batting performances. Eventually, Lux turned things around and finished the season at a .320 OBP and a .703 OPS.  

The last significant move I want to talk about is signing free agent LF Austin Hays to a 1 year $5,000,000 contract. Austin Hays struggled to stay healthy with the Phillies and Orioles last season but was able to post a .700 OPS in the 85 games he did play. Additionally, Hays went 3/3 with 2 HRs, 1 Double, and 6 RBIs in today's spring training game against the Dodgers. As for the defensive impact of this signing, the Reds had an obvious hole in the outfield last season and this signing is an excellent solution.

The Reds made several smaller moves but I believe these 4 will be the keys to a successful season.  When it comes to my expectations for the Reds 2025 season , I believe at the very least the Reds will get into the playoffs. Although, I believe the Reds have a real chance to win the NL Central.