After two straight winning seasons in Cincinnati, the Reds cratered in 2022. After trades that sent Eugenio Suarez, Jesse Winker, and Luis Castillo out of town, the Reds lost 100 games for the first time since 1982. Now in a full-blown rebuild, Cincinnati will need to wait for the team’s cache of prospects to arrive in southern Ohio, before the Reds are ready to contend once again. So, how did the Reds approach this offseason? Here’s a look at the results.
Related: 2022-23 MLB Offseason Recap: Cleveland Guardians
Notable Additions
- C Curt Casali
- C Luke Maile
- 1B/OF Wil Myers
- 2B/OF Nick Solak
- RHP Luke Weaver
Cincinnati didn’t make any big waves this winter, as the Reds opted to pick up veterans on short-term deals to support a young core. The Reds inked catcher Curt Casali and Luke Maile to log time behind the plate, in order to protect prized youngster Tyler Stephenson. Stephenson was arguably the Reds’ best hitter last season, but the former first round pick played just 50 games in 2022. Per the buzz around the Reds, it sounds like Stephenson will see a lot of time in 2023 at the DH slot.
Additionally, the Reds picked up infielder/outfielder Wil Myers in free agency. The oft-injured Myers has shown good pop throughout his career, and could be a potential trade chip come the summer.
Notable Subtractions
- OF Aristides Aquino
- INF Kyle Farmer
- LHP Mike Minor
- 2B/3B Mike Moustakas
- C Austin Romine
- 2B Donovan Solano
- RHP Hunter Strickland
- RHP Art Warren
In an offseason deal with the Twins, Cincinnati opted to deal infielder Kyle Farmer to the Twins. The 32-year-old hit the second-most home runs (14) on the Reds last season. In addition to Farmer, fellow infielder Donovan Solano also exited via free agency. Solano batted .284 in 80 games last season.
Most notably, the Reds DFA’d infielder Mike Moustakas earlier this winter. Moustakas joined the Reds on a hefty deal in the winter of 2019, but hit just .291/.300/.383 in three seasons in Cincinnati.
A Recap
The 2022 Reds season did have its bright spots, particularly the emergence of LHP Nick Lodolo and Tyler Stephenson. Yet, it’s hard to look at last season in a positive light. The 100-loss campaign included a sophomore slump from 2021 NL Rookie of the Year Jonathan India, continued struggles from former top prospect Nick Senzel, and the departures of pitchers Tyler Mahle and Luis Castillo.
Luckily, the Reds do boast several emerging young pitchers and a loaded farm system full of talented infield prospects. But, it’s going to take a bit of time for the Reds’ next core of players to fully develop.
