Nick Krall’s future in Cincinnati looks shaky, and if the Reds decide the 2026 season is the line in the sand, the next move in the front office has to be bigger than simply promoting from within.
That’s the central issue here. General manager Brad Meador has been with the organization since 2009, and while it may not be fair to pin the club’s current state on him, the Reds need more than continuity for continuity’s sake. If Krall is shown the door, the organization should be looking for a fresh voice at the top rather than handing the reins to another Reds lifer.
FanSided’s latest MLB Insiders newsletter, via Robert Murray, offered a list of names who could surface in future searches for presidents of baseball operations and general managers. The group includes Amiel Sawdaye of the Arizona Diamondbacks, Josh Barfield of the Chicago White Sox, Matt Forman of the Cleveland Guardians, Carter Hawkins of the Chicago Cubs and Matt Kleine of the Milwaukee Brewers.
Two of those names stand out for Cincinnati: Forman and Kleine.
Forman is now an assistant general manager with the Guardians, but his path to that role started in a much different place. He was a sports writer before landing an internship in Cleveland in 2013, then worked his way up through the organization. He has spent years around Chris Antonetti’s small-market model in Cleveland and has also had plenty of time around Reds manager Terry Francona.
Kleine fits the same kind of profile that should appeal to Cincinnati. A Marquette graduate, he serves as assistant GM for the Brewers and was a name to watch last offseason when Washington and Colorado had openings.
He stayed with Matt Arnold, and he has been in the Brewers organization since 2007. If the Reds are searching for a blueprint to follow, Milwaukee is the one that jumps out.
Of course, none of that matters unless Cincinnati actually makes the break. Right now, the Reds sit in the NL Central basement at 69-76 and are 8½ games back in the Wild Card chase. With the expectations that surrounded this season, it’s difficult to call 2026 anything but a failure.
In Other News...
Elly De La Cruz Just Turned One Wild Night Into A Bigger Reds Conversation
Elly De La Cruz spent one electrifying night doing what has made him such a fascinating part of the Reds future: turning impossible-looking plays into routine conversation starters. Against the Dodgers, he fired a 105.3 mph throw from the outfield to home plate to cut down Teoscar Hernndez and erase what could have become an inside-the-park home run, then backed it up by driving in runs of his own with a two-run homer and a double.
What stood out wasnt just the highlight, but the way De La Cruz kept leaving his imprint on the game from different angles. Statcast said the throw was the hardest by any fielder this season, and the Reds keep seeing why his blend of speed, arm strength and raw power can change the feel of a night in a hurry, even against one of baseballs toughest lineups. [Read more 🡒]
Reds Sale Buzz Runs Into One Huge Ownership Reality
The chatter around a possible Reds sale picked up after Bob Nightengale reported that some rival owners believe Cincinnati could be the next Major League Baseball team to change hands following the Angels sale. It is the kind of buzz that tends to follow a club with a frustrated fan base, and in this case it comes with an added wrinkle inside the ownership structure, since Bob Castellini is no longer the controlling owner and Phil Castellini assumed that role in early 2024.
For now, though, the speculation still appears to be just that. There is no current indication the Reds ownership group is preparing to sell the franchise, even as some fans continue to call for a new direction. The broader picture could get more complicated later, especially if future labor negotiations push owners to reassess their positions, but at the moment there is no sign Cincinnati is actually heading toward a sale. [Read more 🡒]
Noelvi Marte Is Hitting Again But One Reds Concern Hasn't Changed
Noelvi Marte has started to look like himself again at Triple-A Louisville, at least at the plate. Since returning there, he has hit .339/.351/.482 with a 116 wRC+ and a 21.1% strikeout rate, production that suggests the bat is moving in the right direction even if the overall approach still leaves room for growth.
For the Reds, the bigger question is whether the progress comes with enough selectivity to matter in Cincinnati. Martes walk rate is still just 1.8%, and his tendency to chase pitches outside the strike zone remains a real concern for a player trying to stick in the majors, especially on a club where Elly De La Cruz has already set such a high standard at shortstop with his value over the first four seasons. [Read more 🡒]