2023-24 MLB Offseason Recap: Cincinnati Reds

For a good chunk of the 2023 campaign, it looked like the Reds would make it back to the postseason for the first time in a full season since 2013. However, a late-season fall dampened what was a strong season when looking back. So, what did the Reds do to improve this past winter? Here’s our 2023-24 offseason recap for the Reds.

Notable Additions

Cincinnati was busy this winter, as the Reds signed several notable free agents on multi-year deals.

One of those moves was the signing of Nick Martinez, a starter/reliever whose changeup was a force for the Padres and should be a beneficial arm for the Reds this season.

Starter Frankie Montas, meanwhile, will bring his plus splitter to the Reds in 2024. Montas missed virtually all of 2023, aside from one appearance late in the season with the Yankees

The Reds also added to their infield with Jeimer Candelario, a first/third baseman who can hit from both sides and has good power. Last season, Candelario hit .251/.336/.471 with 22 home runs and 70 RBI.

Now, a look at the subtractions part of our Reds offseason recap.

Notable Subtractions

The winter of 2023 marked the end of an era, as the Reds did not retain Joey Votto. Votto did hit 14 home runs and walked 11.2% of the time in 2023 but the youth movement in Cincinnati pushed the 40-year-old out of town.

Aside from Votto, the Reds did cut Nick Senzel loose. Senzel was the team’s pick in the first round in 2016. However, the former Tennessee star did not live up to lofty expectations.

What to Expect in 2024

Pitching was somewhat of a problem for the Reds in 2023.

Yes, the Reds bullpen was very good for most of the season, aside from the final weeks. But injuries hampered the season of lefty Nick Lodolo, while Hunter Greene and Graham Ashcraft also spent time on the IL.

Heading into 2024, things look a bit different. A deeper bullpen with several pitchers that can give teams different looks, coupled with a stronger rotation that should include an intriguing buy-low candidate in Montas could push the Reds back into the postseason for the first time since 2020.

And in a weaker NL Central and a strong young core of hitters, the Reds could even be in a position to win the division.