The Reds have a chance to get ahead of what could be a messy 2026-27 offseason.
With a lockout expected as the owners and the MLB Player's Association work through the Collective Bargaining Agreement, there’s a real push to get deals done before communication shuts down on December 1. That makes this winter a key window for Cincinnati, which has several players worth trying to lock up now rather than later.
The biggest name on the board is Elly De La Cruz, and he’s also the toughest one to actually land. Cincinnati reportedly tried to get an extension done before, but De La Cruz and his representation - Scott Boras - passed.
The Reds should still make another push, even if the answer ends up being the same. Boras, as usual, is far more likely to steer a client toward the open market.
If De La Cruz is the long shot, Sal Stewart feels like the must-move target. The Reds should pivot quickly to their likely 2026 NL Rookie of the Year, whose loud bat and fiery personality have already made him a favorite in Reds Country.
After another All-Star-level season in 2027, Stewart could price himself out of Cincinnati if the club waits too long. The window is now, and the Reds need to use it.
Tyler Stephenson belongs in the same conversation. The point has been made over and over, but it still matters: Cincinnati needs to extend its catcher before he reaches free agency.
Alfredo Duno is a phenomenal talent, but he won’t be ready next season, and the Reds can’t realistically head into 2027 with Jose Trevino as the starter. This is the kind of move that has to happen.
The rotation also needs attention, especially with Hunter Greene likely to miss all of 2027 after undergoing Tommy John surgery back in August. The free-agent market isn’t loaded, which only raises the value of Brady Singer. Cincinnati has reportedly discussed a qualifying offer for him this winter, but an extension would be the smarter move if the Reds want more certainty on the mound.
There’s another bullpen issue to sort out, too. After trading Caleb Ferguson and designating Sam Moll for assignment, Brock Burke is the only left-handed reliever left in the Reds bullpen.
With no southpaws waiting in the wings, Cincinnati needs help from the left side. Extending Burke before he reaches free agency would be a straightforward way to address that hole.
And then there’s Eugenio Suárez, a name that will divide some fans but still deserves real consideration. Since the All-Star break, he’s been a difference maker in the lineup, and he’d bring veteran presence to the clubhouse without breaking the bank. He’d also work as a backup option at third base, especially with all the questions around Ke'Bryan Hayes heading into the offseason, and he still has enough pop to hit 30-plus home runs.
In Other News...
Reds Have A New Reason To Lock Up Sal Stewart Fast
Elly De La Cruzs future has become a reminder of how quickly the window can shift for a team that builds around young stars. Scott Boras said De La Cruz intends to reach free agency after the 2029 season and is not expected to sign a long-term extension with Cincinnati anytime soon, a stance that pushes the Reds toward a familiar front-office reality: if a cornerstone player is going to play out the clock, the next priority is making sure the next one does not.
Sal Stewart is suddenly the obvious candidate for that kind of commitment. After a strong rookie season, he has already given the Reds something more concrete to build around, and the club has watched other teams move early to lock up young talent before the price climbs higher. If Cincinnati wants to keep its roster from becoming a revolving door of short-term value and eventual departures, Stewart looks like the player worth acting on before the market forces the issue. [Read more 🡒]
Reds Already Have A 2027 Problem Fans Can See Coming
The Reds farm system took a notable hit in MLB Pipelines latest update, sliding from No. 12 to No. 23 as top names like Sal Stewart and Edwin Arroyo moved up to the majors. It is the kind of drop that comes with success at the big league level, but it also changes the shape of the organizations future depth chart in a hurry. Cincinnati still has plenty of position-player talent in the pipeline, with an especially crowded group of shortstops, so the system is not empty by any means.
The bigger issue is on the mound, where the Reds do not have the same cushion if they need to build out a rotation for 2027. Aaron Watson has some promise, but the young pitching group is still more projection than certainty, which is where the concern starts to sharpen for a club trying to stay ahead of its own timeline. If those arms do not come together quickly enough, the Reds may have to turn to veteran pitching in free agency to plug the gap. [Read more 🡒]
Reds Fans Finally Have A Farm Club Run Worth Watching
The Reds farm system has had its share of uneven nights this fall, but Dayton gave the organization something it has not had often enough in the minors: a playoff run worth following. The High-A Dragons knocked off the Great Lakes Loons in their opening series, leaning on Mason Morris and Jimmy Romano to piece together a shutout in the decisive game while Ryan McCrystal helped supply the offense with a home run.
For Cincinnati, that kind of development matters because it keeps the focus on players performing when the games carry extra weight. The picture is less encouraging in Daytona, where the Tortugas were swept by Jupiter and never found much rhythm on either side of the ball, leaving Dayton as the clubs lone affiliate still alive and giving Reds fans a reason to keep one eye on the scoreboard. [Read more 🡒]