The Cincinnati Reds have been stuck in the middle for a while, and even after reaching the postseason and opening this season well, it’s clear they still need more firepower to get where they want to go.
Sal Stewart becoming a superstar would obviously help, but the bigger issue remains the same: this team needs more investment. And that means more money from ownership.
That may be on the horizon. USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reports that rival MLB owners believe the Reds could be the next franchise to be sold.
"Rival owners predict that the Cincinnati Reds could be the next MLB team sold," Nightengale writes. "Certainly, Bob Castellini will make a cool profit if he does put them on the block, purchasing the franchise for $270 million in 2006. It's now worth about $1.6 billion."
If Bob Castellini does move on from the club, that would be major news for Cincinnati fans. A new owner - especially one with a willingness to spend - could change the direction of the franchise in a hurry.
The Reds have been cautious in free agency for years, and that showed again this past offseason when they missed out on hometown slugger Kyle Schwarber, who went back to the Philadelphia Phillies.
A five-year, $150 million deal for a designated hitter would have been a steep price, but Schwarber is leading the National League in home runs, so he would have brought real value.
And it’s not just Schwarber. There are plenty of other players who could have helped this roster, but Cincinnati has held back on major spending, both in free agency and at times with its own players.
Maybe the 2026 Reds still won’t be the answer. But if the franchise does end up changing hands and the next owner is ready to spend, the outlook could look a whole lot brighter than it does right now. For Reds fans, that alone would be reason to feel some long-term hope.
In Other News...
Terry Francona Just Clarified What Comes Next For Hunter Greene
Hunter Greenes season ended far earlier than anyone around the Reds wanted, and now the focus shifts from missed starts to the long rehab process that comes next. Greene is expected back at the ballpark Monday to begin therapy with the teams trainers after an elbow injury cut short his 2026 campaign, a setback that only deepens the rotation issues Cincinnati has been dealing with for much of the year.
Greene made five starts before the injury, giving the Reds a brief glimpse of what their staff could have been if the right-hander had stayed healthy. Instead, the club is left sorting through another blow to a starting group that has already been hit hard, and the timeline now stretches well beyond this season, with Greene unavailable for 2027 as well. [Read more 🡒]
Edwin Arroyo Is Running Out Of Time To Answer One Reds Question
Edwin Arroyos age still works in his favor, but the clock is starting to tick for a Reds infield question that has been hanging around all season. The 23-year-old has the kind of defensive profile Cincinnati likes, and his track record at Triple-A Louisville suggests there is still a player there to believe in, even after a rocky 2026 major league stint. Through 49 games, Arroyo has not done much with the bat, and the lack of offensive traction has kept him from claiming the bigger role the Reds have been trying to sort out.
The latest sign of how unsettled the picture remains came with Cincinnatis minor-league deal for Orlando Arcia, another name that can provide infield depth if needed. For Arroyo, the issue is no longer just whether he belongs in the conversation, but how much runway he has left to answer it before the focus shifts fully toward 2027. The Reds will keep watching closely, because his glove keeps him in the mix, even if his bat has yet to give them the kind of certainty they want. [Read more 🡒]
Reds Face One Offseason Question After Another Fastball Warning
Jose Trevinos go-ahead single against the Padres on Sept. 1 was a useful reminder that even a lineup with modest offensive production can still come through in the biggest moments. But for the Reds, one timely hit does not change the larger picture: this offense has had trouble handling premium velocity, and the numbers against pitches of 95 mph or higher have left the club near the bottom of the league in key categories. It is the kind of issue that tends to linger deeper into a season, especially when opposing staffs know they can keep leaning on the fastball.
As the offseason begins to take shape, the Reds are left weighing what has to change to close that gap. Coaching adjustments are part of the conversation, and so are roster moves, because this has been more than a short-term slump. The challenge now is finding hitters who can do more than survive those at-bats and building an approach that keeps the lineup from being rushed out of innings by the leagues hardest throwers. [Read more 🡒]