If you woke up this morning and frantically typed who won the reds game last night into your search bar, I have some news that might make you want to go back to sleep. Or at least put on a very thick coat.
Nobody won. Because nobody played.
It is January 16, 2026. Right now, Great American Ball Park isn't filled with the smell of overpriced hot dogs and the sound of bat meeting ball. It's likely covered in a thin layer of Ohio frost, and the only "red" you'll see is the nose of a groundskeeper trying to keep the pipes from freezing.
Basically, we are in the heart of the MLB offseason. If you're looking for a final score, you're about two months too early for even the most meaningless spring training exhibition. But honestly, even though there wasn't a game on the diamond last night, the Cincinnati front office was busy playing a high-stakes game of roster Tetris that just changed the look of the 2026 team.
Who Won the Reds Game Last Night? The Trade That Replaced the Box Score
While there were no runs batted in yesterday, the Reds were involved in a massive three-team trade that officially went down late last night. If you follow the beat reporters on X (formerly Twitter) or caught the late-night alerts, you know the "win" or "loss" for the fans right now is measured in players, not points.
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The Reds, Tampa Bay Rays, and Los Angeles Angels pulled off a four-player swap that fundamentally shifts how Cincinnati's infield is going to look come Opening Day.
The Deal Breakdown:
- The Reds acquired: Left-handed pitcher Brock Burke from the Angels.
- The Reds sent away: Infielder Gavin Lux to the Tampa Bay Rays.
- The Rest of the Mess: Outfielder Josh Lowe moved to the Angels, and righty Chris Clark went to the Rays.
It’s a bittersweet pill. Losing Gavin Lux—who the Reds took a gamble on just a year ago—kinda stings. He played 140 games for us last year and hit a decent .269. But let's be real: the Reds' pitching staff looked like a sieve during the final stretch of 2025. Adding a veteran lefty like Brock Burke, who posted a 3.36 ERA last season, is the front office's way of saying they are tired of watching the bullpen blow leads in the 7th inning.
Why You Won't See a Score Until March
I get it. We all miss baseball. But if you're checking for who won the reds game last night in the middle of January, you've likely got the itch for the 2026 season to just start already.
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The 2026 MLB season is actually going to be historic for its start date. Major League Baseball officially announced that this year will feature the earliest Opening Day ever.
- Spring Training Kickoff: The Reds will play their first exhibition game on February 21, 2026, against the Cleveland Guardians at Goodyear Ballpark.
- The Standalone Opener: The Yankees and Giants get a special "Opening Night" on March 25.
- The Real Opening Day: The Reds officially start the 162-game grind on March 26, 2026, at home against the Boston Red Sox.
Yes, you read that right. The Red Sox are coming to Cincinnati for the opener. It’s an interleague start that is already driving ticket prices through the roof. If you’re planning on being there, SeatGeek is already showing get-in prices at $115. For a Thursday afternoon in March, that's steep, but that's the price of "hope springs eternal."
The International Signing Period Frenzy
Yesterday wasn't just about trades. January 15, 2026, marked the opening of the International Signing Period. This is where the "wins" happen for the 2029 and 2030 seasons.
The Reds made a huge splash by signing Angel Nunez, an outfielder from the Dominican Republic. He’s currently ranked as the #6 international prospect by MLB Pipeline. They dropped a significant portion of their $7.3 million bonus pool to get him.
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Is it a win? On paper, absolutely. But as any Reds fan who remembers the hype around previous "can't-miss" prospects knows, a January signing is a long way from a September home run. Still, it gives the farm system a much-needed jolt of elite talent.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Offseason
Most casual fans think nothing happens until the players report to Arizona. That's a mistake. The Reds are currently navigating a tricky 40-man roster situation. Just this week, they had to DFA (designate for assignment) Yosver Zulueta to make room for veteran reliever Pierce Johnson.
The "game" being played right now is about salary arbitration and roster spots. If the Reds don't "win" these negotiations, they won't have the cash to go after a mid-season trade target when the NL Central race gets tight in July.
Actionable Steps for Reds Fans Today
Since you can't watch a game tonight, here is how you can actually stay ahead of the curve for the 2026 season:
- Redsfest is happening right now: If you’re in the Cincinnati area, Redsfest runs January 16–17 at the Duke Energy Convention Center. It's the best place to get signatures and actually see the new guys like Brock Burke in a Reds jersey for the first time.
- Check the Non-Roster Invitees: The team just released their list of players invited to Spring Training on minor-league deals. Keep an eye on names like P.J. Higgins and Brandon Leibrandt. These are the "depth" guys who usually end up playing critical roles when the inevitable injury bug hits in May.
- Set Your Opening Day Alarm: Mark March 26 on your calendar. It’s a 4:10 PM ET start.
Stop checking the box scores for a few more weeks. The real action is happening in the front office and on the trade wires. While nobody won a game on the field last night, the Reds' roster got a whole lot more interesting for the season ahead.
Actionable Insight: Download a roster tracking app or follow local beat writers like Doug Gray to keep tabs on the international signing results and the remaining 40-man roster spots as the team prepares for the move to Goodyear, Arizona next month.