Looking ahead to Cincinnati Reds baseball in 2024

After just missing the MLB playoffs by one game in 2023, the future is now for the Cincinnati Reds. After a breakout season from several rookies and first-year Reds players, it might be time for the Reds to capitalize on this momentum.

            Many Reds fans were begging and pleading for the Reds front office to make some offseason moves, and it seems like the Reds executives may have listened. Nick Krall, Reds GM (and personnel director), and his staff went out in free agency and made some significant signings that should help propel the Reds over that slump.

            Krall and his staff signed free agents Jeimer Candelario, Nick Martinez, Emilio Pagan, Brent Suter, and Frankie Montas this past offseason. After the free agent signing, the Reds are looking at getting over the hump and making the playoffs and maybe even making some noise in the playoffs.

            Candelario, who is mainly a third baseman, will join an already crowded, very young, and talented infield for the Reds. The Reds will have Noelvi Marte, Elly De La Cruz, Spencer Steer, Jonathan India, Christian Encarnacion-Strand, and Matt McClain. Manager David Bell has already announced to play Spencer Steer in the outfield more and giving him more defensive reps in spring training in the outfield.

            Montas will provide a much-needed veteran presence in the Reds' starting rotation. The Reds will bring back Hunter Greene, Nick Lodolo, Graham Ashcraft, Brandon Williamson, and Andrew Abbott. The Reds bringing in Montas will add another arm to the rotation with good veteran experience and allow one of last year's starting pitchers to be utilized in the bullpen in a long-reliever role.

            Martinez, Pagan, and Suter will bolster the 2024 Reds bullpen staff. Reds executives went out and signed reliever help for All-Star closer Alexis Diaz. With Ian Gibaut, Lucas Sims, Buck Farmer, and a healthy Tejay Antone also coming back there is a lot of upsides for this bullpen that finished as a “middle of the road” bullpen in the 2023 season.

            It will be an exciting 2024 season with several Reds rookies ready for a full year of playing time and looking to take that next step. The Reds will look to get back to the playoffs for the first time since 2020.