Cam Collier's power returned in 2026 (18 homers), but his slash line fell to .209/.286/.368 over 135 Double-A games. That undercuts the Reds' ideal of Collier and Sal Stewart bookending the 2027 infield. Third base remains a puzzle. 🧩
Emilio Pagán has until Nov. 2 to decide on his $10M player option for 2027, and most expect him to stay. Hunter Greene (Tommy John, out all of 2027), Spencer Steer and Blake Dunn returned to the 40-man; Rece Hinds got a new MLB deal.
The Astros declined Ryan Weiss' $5 million option, making the right-hander a free agent. The budget-minded Reds could take a flier on him: a 95 mph heater and plus sweeper, plus a 1.08 ERA over three late Triple-A starts. 🎯
A FanSided prediction piece floats Elly De La Cruz to the Dodgers in a hypothetical five-player deal. The Reds would get Emmet Sheehan plus prospects Mike Sirota, Zach Root and Kellon Lindsey. It's speculation, not a reported trade. 🎯
Sal Stewart is a leading NL Rookie of the Year candidate after hitting .263 with 32 homers and 112 RBIs in all 162 games. He's the only Reds rookie with 30 HR and 100 RBI. Finalists will be announced Nov. 2. 🏆
Zac Gallen is floated as an ideal Reds bounce-back target: a former top-30 starter coming off a 6.07 ERA and elbow inflammation. Spotrac projects a one-year, $7.3M deal, though the article flags one hurdle. Upside on a discount, health permitting. 🎯
Taylor Ward is floated as a possible Reds outfield target this offseason. Coming off a down 2026 (.225/.359/.359, seven homers), he still posted elite walk and chase rates and could give a lefty-heavy outfield a right-handed bat. 🎯
Hunter Greene was reinstated from the 60-day IL in routine postseason roster cleanup, but don't read it as a recovery update. He's still rehabbing from a second Tommy John surgery and is projected to miss all of 2027. 🩺
Jim Bowden projects Tyler Stephenson at two years, $16M, with the Reds listed among likely suitors. The price looks fair for a top defensive catcher, yet the Reds haven't committed, and top prospect Alfredo Duno looms. Mutual interest, zero urgency. 🤝
With the World Series over, the Reds' offseason clock starts. They get a five-day exclusive window with free agents Tyler Stephenson and Brock Burke, then option decisions on Emilio Pagan and Eugenio Suarez. A likely lockout after Dec. 1 hangs over everything. ⏳
Sal Stewart was named the Players Choice Awards NL Outstanding Rookie by the MLBPA, adding to his rookie honors. The BBWAA's NL Rookie of the Year announcement is set for November 9, and that vote is the one with a 2027 draft pick attached. 🏆
Luis Arraez could be the contact bat the Reds need after they ranked last in MLB with a .229 average and a 25.5% strikeout rate in 2026. His 4.3% K-rate fits, but his defense and the team's philosophy make a free-agent deal tricky. 🎯
It finally happened. Congratulations to the Brewers and their dominant run through the postseason. Hot take, they won't repeat next season regardless if there's a season or not. The extra innings on the starters and relievers will have their toll. A debt will have to be paid to the baseball gods.
Guardians president Chris Antonetti says Steven Kwan is staying put, which may spare the Reds a costly mistake. Landing one year of Kwan could reportedly cost several top prospects, and the outfield crowd already includes Héctor Rodríguez and Carlos Jorge. 🔒
A Bleacher Report column floated a hypothetical four-player deal sending Elly De La Cruz to the Rays, with Joey Votto arguing for a prospect-heavy return. Nothing is agreed, but De La Cruz's control through 2029 makes the idea a live debate. 🤔
Sal Stewart, fresh off a 32-homer, 111-RBI season, won the Players Choice NL Outstanding Rookie award, voted on by his fellow players. It's his second rookie honor in a week. The BBWAA's Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year is announced Nov. 9. 🏆
Manfred pushes a salary cap, citing small-market teams like Milwaukee, but the argument misses what the Reds need most. The Brewers' success took years of front-office and farm-system rebuilding, not a cap. Reds fans are still waiting since 1990. ⏳
Chase Burns' $105M deal through 2033 could look like a bargain as Jacob Misiorowski and Paul Skenes reset the NL Central ace market. After a 2.86 ERA over 154⅓ innings, the Reds locked in their rotation leader early. 📈
Rule 5 Draft timing is murky with a likely Dec. 1 lockout, but Reds could still protect prospects. Carter Graham looks like a shoo-in for the 40-man, with Carlos Sanchez, Jay Allen II and Cody Adcock also floated as candidates. 🔒
Hot take: This win puts the screws on Milwaukee and the pressure mounts to force this series to go at least 6 games, hopefully 7.
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