Cincinnati Reds Have Improved 2024 Roster Without Jeopardizing Long-Term Future

Nick Krall has added to the Reds in a way few expected and many may come to revere.

Nick Krall may be playing chess while everyone else plays checkers. 

The Cincinnati Reds President of Baseball Operations says the team doesn't plan on making any more big moves this offseason. 

Have the Reds done enough to improve their roster? 

To answer that question, we must understand the road Krall has taken.

Krall has drawn some positive reviews from those who cover the entire league. Harold Reynolds called the Reds “a juggernaut” on MLB Network, for example. The Reds have also drawn mixed reviews among the fanbase. Some wanted more aggressive moves.

Much of the criticism would seem to be centered around adding Frankie Montas. While he has questions about his health, Montas has said he hasn’t felt this good in a long time. 

He was a Cy Young candidate in 2021 and boasts a five-pitch mix, which allows him to induce swings and misses, while limiting walks and mostly keeping the ball on the ground. He’s no Blake Snell or Dylan Cease, and he may not be Shane Bieber—but he didn’t require a super long contract, or large haul of prospects to acquire.

The Reds would have either needed to trade multiple high end prospects to get a high-end pitcher like Cease. With the Guardians trying to add their closer to any Bieber trade, their asking price would likely be comparable. Krall had no interest in blowing up the organizational talent he’d accumulated.

Pitchers like Snell or Jordan Montgomery would cost a lot to sign. Not specifically money, but years. The Reds have added a nice chunk to their payroll for the next few seasons, but Snell, Montgomery, and other high-end aces on the free agent market are looking for 5+ year deals.

Every move Krall has made has pointed to him wanting to avoid any overlap with the arbitration years of Elly De La Cruz, Matt McLain, and the young core of the team. Even Jeimer Candelario’s contract ends before that period.

What Krall has done is to improve the present, without jeopardizing the future. Rhett Lowder, Chase Petty, Edwin Arroyo are all promising prospects and were all named in possible trades. They are all still with the Reds organization, even though they've addressed pretty much every need. The Reds may even address their right-handed outfielder need by moving one of their talented infielders to the outfield.

On the other hand, the future payroll remains extremely flexible for the young core. Could the Reds sign one or two future stars to long-term deals? That remains to be seen. The possibility has not been diminished because of possible large contracts that could have been handed out this offseason.

They will need to perform to prove Krall’s plan to be successful, but as it stands, he found a way to address the team’s needs without costing them their future. That limits the risk with such a young and talented team.

Make sure you bookmark Inside the Reds for the latest news, exclusive interviews, and daily coverage of the Cincinnati Reds!

You May Also Like:

Frankie Montas Signing Has Great Potential, But Questions Remain

Devin Mesoraco Gives Tyler Stephenson Advice Ahead of 2024 Season

Joey Votto Breaks Silence, Posts Hilarious Free Agency Update

Report: Blue Jays Interested in Signing Joey Votto

Reds Re-Sign Buck Farmer to Bolster Bullpen

Jonathan India Could be Odd Man Out After Candelario Signing

Early Look at Reds' Options With No. 2 Pick in 2024 MLB Draft

Former Reds Top Pick Nick Senzel Has New Home

Details Emerge About Trade Talks With White Sox for Dylan Cease

Reds Make It Official, Sign Nick Martinez

Reds Make It Official, Sign Reliever Emilio Pagan

Cincinnati Reds Have Plenty of Options Despite Missing Out on Sonny Gray

Cincinnati Reds Interested in Trade for Pricey Veteran Pitcher

Reds Were Reportedly "Close" to Signing Sonny Gray in Free Agency

Former Reds Starter Sonny Gray Expected to Sign With Cardinals

Elly De La Cruz Showed Signs of Breakthrough Late in 2023 Season

Two Jonathan India Trades That Could Make Sense For Cincinnati Reds

Cincinnati Reds Discussing Jonathan India Trade With Multiple Teams

Eugenio Suarez Back in National League Following Trade

Cincinnati Reds Non-Tender Three Players, Including Nick Senzel

Cincinnati Reds Single Game Tickets Officially on Sale for 2024 Season

Cincinnati Reds Add Top Prospect, Two Others to 40-Man Roster

-----

Be sure to keep it locked on Inside the Reds, all the time!

Follow Inside the Reds on Twitter/X: @InsideTheReds

Like Our Facebook Page

Subscribe and follow the ONLY Daily Reds Podcast

Follow on Instagram