The stove isn’t exactly white-hot in Cincinnati right now, but it’s definitely simmering. If you’ve been doom-scrolling through social media looking for a blockbuster trade or a massive free-agent splash, you might be feeling a little underwhelmed. Honestly, it’s understandable. But while the front office hasn't signed a superstar to a $200 million deal, the flurry of reds rumors and news over the last few weeks tells a very specific story about where this team is headed in 2026.
They are obsessed with depth. Terry Francona, or "Tito" as everyone calls him, made it clear when he took the job: he wants a roster that doesn't fall apart the second an oblique strain hits. Last year was a grind.
The Bullpen Facelift Nobody Is Talking About
Let’s talk about the arms. The Reds lost a staggering 300+ innings from their relief corps this winter with Nick Martinez, Brent Suter, and Scott Barlow hitting the market. You can't just "prospect" your way out of that hole.
The biggest news recently is the addition of Pierce Johnson. He’s 35, sure, but the guy is a curveball machine. He threw more of them than anyone else in baseball last year. Signing him to a $6.5 million deal is a classic Nick Krall move—targeting a specific skill set to bridge the gap to the young fire-throwers like Zach Maxwell and Luis Mey.
Then there’s Caleb Ferguson. He’s a lefty who can actually get lefties out, which, let's be real, has been a coin flip for this team lately. Between Johnson, Ferguson, and the re-signing of Emilio Pagán, the bullpen is starting to look less like a liability and more like a bridge.
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The Arbitration Avalanche
January 8th was a busy day at the office. The Reds avoided arbitration with eight different players, and the numbers are actually pretty interesting.
- Brady Singer: $12.75 million. This makes him the highest-paid player in this group. He went 14-12 with a 4.03 ERA last year.
- Gavin Lux: $5.525 million. This one has fans divided. Lux didn't show much power in 2025, and now there are whispers about where he even fits.
- Nick Lodolo: $4.725 million. He finally stayed healthy enough to throw 150+ innings last year, and his 3.33 ERA was a career best.
If you're keeping score, Spencer Steer ($4M) and TJ Friedl ($3.8M) also got their deals done. The fact that the Reds settled with all these guys without going to a hearing is a good sign. It keeps the vibes right heading into Goodyear. But it also locks in a lot of salary for a team that isn't exactly known for having a bottomless wallet.
What’s the Deal With the Outfield?
This is where the reds rumors and news get a bit murky. After declining Austin Hays' $12 million option, the Reds pivoted to JJ Bleday and Dane Myers.
Is JJ Bleday going to be the savior? Probably not. He hit below league average last year. But he’s cheap ($1.4M) and he hits from the left side. The trade for Dane Myers was essentially a swap of depth pieces, sending Ethan O'Donnell to Miami.
The strategy here seems to be "strength in numbers." Instead of one $20 million outfielder, they have a rotating cast of Friedl, Benson, Bleday, and Myers. It’s a gamble. If Will Benson doesn't find his 2023 form again, this outfield could feel very light on power very quickly.
The International Spark
While the big league roster is being built with duct tape and high-leverage relievers, the future just got a lot brighter. On January 15, the Reds officially landed Angel Nunez, the #6 international prospect.
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They dropped $3 million of their $7.3 million pool on him. He’s 16. He’s 5'10". He’s a center fielder with plus speed. It won't help the 2026 win total, but it shows that the scouting department isn't sleeping. They also signed Venezuelan shortstop Carlos Hernandez to a seven-figure deal. The pipeline is still flowing, even if the current fountain is a little dry on power hitters.
The Elly Factor and Tito’s Plan
One of the most telling bits of news lately came from a Reddit thread discussing Francona’s comments about Elly De La Cruz. Tito basically admitted he played Elly too much last year.
Expect more scheduled days off for the superstar shortstop in 2026. This explains the Gavin Lux signing and the Michael Chavis minor league deal. They need people who can play the middle infield without the wheels falling off.
It’s a different philosophy. David Bell used to juggle the lineup based on spreadsheets; Francona seems to be building a roster that allows him to manage based on health and "feel."
The Rumors That Won't Die
We have to talk about the trade market. The name Brady Singer keeps coming up in rumors despite him just signing that arbitration-avoiding deal.
Why? Because the Reds have a surplus of starting pitching and a deficit of "boom" in the lineup. If a team like the Mets or Blue Jays gets desperate for a reliable mid-rotation arm, Krall might finally pull the trigger to land a legitimate DH or power-hitting corner outfielder.
The Reds are currently "open" to adding more, but they aren't chasing. They’re waiting for the market to come to them. It’s a dangerous game of chicken, especially in a division where the Cubs just signed Alex Bregman and the Cardinals are reshuffling after trading Nolan Arenado.
What Actually Matters Right Now
If you want to understand the current state of the Reds, stop looking for the "big" name. Look at the edges.
They are signing guys like Michael Toglia and Garrett Hampson to minor league deals. They are stocking up on left-handed relief depth. They are betting that a rotation of Greene, Abbott, Lodolo, and Lowder is enough to keep them in games, and that the bullpen can actually hold a lead this time around.
It’s a blue-collar approach to a billion-dollar sport.
Actionable Insights for the 2026 Season:
- Watch the Bullpen Battles: With Pierce Johnson and Caleb Ferguson added, the competition for the final two spots in the pen will be fierce. Keep an eye on prospects like Connor Phillips in Spring Training.
- Monitor the Bench: Gavin Lux and Will Benson are under immense pressure. If they don't produce by May, expect the Reds to be aggressive on the waiver wire or the early trade market.
- Manage Expectations on Power: This lineup is built for speed and contact. Don't expect a lot of 450-foot bombs; expect a lot of stolen bases and first-to-third sprints.
- Spring Training Health: The most important "news" in February won't be a trade—it will be the health of Nick Lodolo and Rhett Lowder. If the rotation stays intact, the Reds are a playoff team. If not, the depth will be tested earlier than Tito wants.