The Cincinnati Reds haven’t been relevant since their 2013 wildcard loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates. Following that season the Reds fired manager Dusty Baker and hired pitching coach Bryan Price. In that roller coaster of a hire it was a downhill ride for the 3.5 years he was manager. In 2018 the Reds started out 3-15 before cutting ties with Price.

Going into this offseason the president of baseball operations, Dick Williams, said the Reds would spend more money to make this team competitive again. The first move they made was hiring David Bell as manager after Joe Girardi (former New York Yankees manager) took his name out of the running.

On December 12, the Reds made their first move trading prospect Tanner Rainey to the Washington Nationals for Tanner Roark to bolster the starting rotation.

On December 21, the Reds made their biggest offseason trade since acquiring Ken Griffey Jr back in 2000. The Los Angeles Dodgers agreed to move outfielders Yasiel Puig and Matt Kemp, pitcher Alex Wood and 3rd/C Kyle Farmer. In return, the Reds gave up the worst contract in baseball with Homer Bailey and prospects Jeter Downs and Josiah Gray.

Williams came out after the blockbuster trade with the Dodgers and said, “We aren’t done yet! I just hope the Reds fans are happy.” Cincinnati finished last year 5th in the NL Central with a 67-95 record. These two trades alone should add 10+ wins and narrows the Reds offseason needs to an ace starter and talks for all star catcher JT Realmuto. The names swirling around so far have been Corey Kluber, Trevor Bauer, Dallas Keuchel and Marcus Stroman. If I was a betting man, I would put my money on Kluber or Keuchel being a Red by opening day.

Here is my dream lineup come Opening Day in Cincinnati:

1. Yasiel Puig RF

2. Matt Kemp LF

3. Joey Votto 1B

4. Eugenio Suarez 3B

5. Scooter Gennett 2B

6. Jesse Winker/ Scott Schebler CF

7. Tucker Barnhart C

8. Pitcher

9. Jose Peraza SS

Our starting pitching lineup would be...

1. Soon to be ace…

2. Alex Wood

3. Luis Castillo

4. Tanner Roark

5. Anthony DeSclafani if healthy or Tyler Mahle

The bullpen would look like this:

Closer: Raisel Iglesias

8th inning: Jared Hughes

7th inning: David Herenandez

Middle Relief: Amir Garrett, Michael Lorenzen, Wandy Peralta

A lot can change as we are still months from Spring training ball and I do expect the Reds to go out and get 1 or 2 more key pieces. Anyone can see the Reds are trying to win and win now!