The Reds’ 2026 season never found its footing after a strong start, and that collapse is what hangs over this projection for 2027. Cincinnati opened by going 20-11 through April, then hit the skids in May and never truly dug out, finishing with 75 wins and last place in the NL Central.
That kind of finish leaves a roster with plenty of moving parts, and the offseason only adds to the uncertainty. Collective bargaining questions are part of the mix, too, making this a tricky winter to sort through. Even so, there are a few spots that feel much easier to read heading into Opening Day 2027.
Burns looks like the safest bet to take the ball first. Last season, he turned himself into the Reds’ best pitcher and one of the top young arms in the sport, going 15-3 with a 2.86 ERA, 185 strikeouts and a 1.17 WHIP. He finished fourth in wins and ninth in strikeouts, and with Hunter Greene out for all of 2027, Nick Lodolo’s trade status unsettled, and Andrew Abbott and Brady Singer both taking steps back last season, Burns is the obvious choice to start the opener.
De La Cruz also seems locked into his spot near the top of the order. His offensive numbers took off once Cincinnati moved him into the leadoff role in late June, and the production kept building from there.
When he led off an inning, he hit .270 with six home runs and 11 doubles. In July, he jumped to a .303/.405/.556 line with five home runs, then after a quad injury slowed him in August, he came roaring back in September and was the best hitter in baseball.
That stretch earned him Player of the Month honors after he posted a .348/.437/.719 line with nine home runs, 19 RBI, six stolen bases and a 1.156 OPS. He finished with a career-high 30 home runs and better defense, and the Reds should have him penciled in as their leadoff hitter on Opening Day and beyond.
Stewart’s rookie year gives Cincinnati another cornerstone to build around. He was third in Major League Baseball with 112 RBI and tied for 15th with 32 home runs, while also serving as the Reds’ most dependable bat for long stretches.
He and Burns both made the All-Star team in their first season, and Stewart’s 112 RBI broke the Reds’ rookie record of 100 set by Jim Greengrass. He also gives the club defensive flexibility, with the ability to play both second and third base. 2026 was his first year playing first base primarily, after only appearing there once in Triple-A in 2025 before making his Major League debut in September of that year.
Second base feels a little less settled, but Brito is the name that stands out here. The belief is that he’s earned a chance to play every day, even with Matt McLain lingering after two straight seasons of offensive struggles.
Brito would still have to win the job in Spring Training, but his stint after the trade deadline made a strong case. Acquired from Cleveland, he hit .309/.339/.509 with three home runs and 11 RBI for Cincinnati.
Defensively, he would be a downgrade from McLain at second, but he was solid enough there and did not hurt the team.
Behind the plate, the expectation is that the Reds work out a deal to keep Stephenson in Cincinnati even though he’s headed for free agency. After a slow start, he became Cincinnati’s best hitter for parts of June and July. He finished with 15 home runs, the second-most of his career, and also drew a career-high number of walks.
Third base is where the projection turns toward the market. MLB.com's Mark Feinsand has linked the Reds to free agent Phillies infielder Alec Bohm as a possible answer there, and this projection has Cincinnati bringing him in.
Hayes’ contract makes him a tough player to move, unless the Reds do the unexpected and simply eat it by cutting him, but Bohm would give them a clear offensive upgrade at the position. He has been an above-average hitter over his career and has reached double-digit home runs in each of the last five seasons.
In Great American Ballpark, that power should show up even more than it has in the National League East parks where he has spent his entire career with Philadelphia.
None of that changes the bigger picture. The Reds have more questions than answers this winter after getting to the postseason in Terry Francona’s first season in 2025, only to tumble to 75 wins and last place a year later.
In Other News...
Reds Offseason Could Shape Sal Stewart In One Important Way
The Reds head into the offseason with a long shopping list, and the biggest decisions are not limited to the rotation and bullpen. Cincinnati also has to sort out third base, find a right-handed-hitting outfielder and address catching depth, all while trying to keep the lineup moving in a way that fits the next wave of young talent. Sal Stewarts historic rookie season in 2026 only sharpened the focus on how the club can best support him as he moves into the next stage of his career.
One name that naturally fits into that conversation is Paul Goldschmidt, who could bring both stability and a veteran presence to a clubhouse trying to bridge present needs with future upside. For the Reds, the appeal goes beyond just plugging a lineup hole, since a player like Goldschmidt could help guide Stewart while also giving the team a useful piece in the mix against certain matchups. What Cincinnati decides this winter will say plenty about how aggressively it wants to shape Stewarts path, and whether it can turn a roster need into a broader developmental advantage. [Read more 🡒]
Reds May Have To Gamble To Fix Their Second Base Problem
The Reds are heading into an offseason where second base looks like one of the clearer spots to upgrade, and that search may force them to balance need against risk. MLB.coms Mark Feinsand pointed to Yankees infielder Jazz Chisholm as a possible fit for Cincinnati, a name that makes sense on paper because the Reds have not gotten enough offense from the position and need more impact somewhere in the middle of the lineup.
Chisholms recent track record is exactly why this kind of fit is not simple. He delivered a strong 2025 season, then followed it with a downturn in 2026, which means any pursuit would have to account for both the upside and the uncertainty. For the Reds, the question is whether they are willing to make a meaningful commitment to solve a problem that has lingered, or whether they prefer to wait for a cleaner answer elsewhere. [Read more 🡒]
Reds Could Target A Cheap Outfield Option Fans Overlooked
As the Reds sort through their offseason roster plans, they are looking at the usual mix of headline-grabbing free agents and quieter, cheaper options who could still fit a need. One name that pops up in that second lane is Drew Waters, the former Royals prospect who recently elected free agency and could appeal as a low-risk addition for a club that values versatility and athleticism in the outfield.
Waters did not get a big league look last season, but his profile still makes him interesting for Cincinnati. His switch-hitting bat, baserunning ability and defensive value give him a chance to compete for a reserve role, especially if the Reds want insurance across the outfield without committing significant money or a guaranteed everyday spot. [Read more 🡒]