Inside The Reds

Reds Manager Terry Francona Thrilled With Effort and Buy-In During Spring Training

The Reds will look to be better on the base paths and on defense in 2025.

Alex Frank

Cincinnati Reds manager Terry Francona takes notes during a Cactus League game between the Cincinnati Reds and San Francisco Giants, Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025, at Scottsdale Stadium in Scottsdale, Ariz.
Cincinnati Reds manager Terry Francona takes notes during a Cactus League game between the Cincinnati Reds and San Francisco Giants, Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025, at Scottsdale Stadium in Scottsdale, Ariz. / Frank Bowen IV/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
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CINCINNATI -- Reds manager Terry Francona is poised to get the most out of the 2025 Cincinnati Reds.

There's a lot of talent on this roster, but a big focus going into 2025 has been making this Reds team more intelligent, smarter on the base paths and better on defense.

"There's not been one morning where somebody is straggling in late [to a meeting]" Francona told Thom Brennaman. "It's been a really cooperative camp, and I appreciate that. We've asked a lot of these guys this Spring. There's been days where our workout's over and we haven't played the game yet, and I feel like we've had a good day because we accomplished what we wanted to."

A key thing that stands out about this Reds team is that they're not rebuilding. This team had expectations coming into 2024, but they just weren't ready to win.

It's much like who the Boston Red Sox were going into the 2004 season when Francona took over as manager. The Red Sox had a supremely talented roster the season prior, but they didn't rise to the occasion when it came to winning. Look no further than their eighth inning meltdown in Game 7 of the 2003 American League Championship Series against the New York Yankees.

But the Red Sox didn't need a rebuild in 2004. They just needed a new voice. Francona was that new voice.

Just as he was in Boston, Francona is the new voice the Reds need going into 2025. The fact that the players are already buying in during Spring Training is positive momentum with Opening Day next Thursday.

You can watch Francona's conversation Brennaman below:

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Alex Frank
ALEX FRANK

Alex Frank brings his passion for Reds Baseball and sports media to Reds On SI. With a commitment to original, detailed and accurate reporting and inside, Alex keeps Reds fans informed with the latest breaking news and other information fans need to know about their favorite team. Alex has years of experience, covering the NFL, NCAA and more for a plethora of outlets including SB Nation, CLNS Media, Associated Press, The Wright Way Sports Network, Chatterbox Sports and The Front Office News. While a student at the University of Cincinnati, Alex served as Bearcast Media's Sports Director for three years while hosting weekly talk shows and podcasts and broadcasting Bearcats Football and Men's Basketball games.

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