Cincinnati Reds News Roundup — September 21, 2026

The Cincinnati Reds face mounting pressure to make significant organizational changes after another disappointing season, with Hall of Famer Barry Larkin publicly calling for a shift in direction following an 8-1 loss to Chicago. Larkin's criticism, endorsed by Joey Votto, centers on the team's decision to retain president of baseball operations Nick Krall despite the franchise's inability to compete. Since Krall took over in 2020, the Reds have made one playoff appearance that ended in a two-game sweep, and the organization has not won a playoff series in over three decades.

The Reds' roster construction reveals the depth of their problems. Elly De La Cruz has been exceptional since mid-August with a .366 batting average and 195 wRC+, but the rest of the lineup has generated just 0.1 fWAR over that span while the Cubs' supporting cast around Pete Crow-Armstrong produced 6.5 fWAR. The team designated outfielder TJ Friedl for assignment after he batted .172 this season, leaving a significant gap in center field and leadoff duties. The outfield group has been historically unproductive, posting a combined 79 wRC+ last season—the worst in baseball—and the Reds show little urgency in acquiring proven talent to address the problem.

On the pitching side, the Reds must decide how to allocate limited resources between starting pitcher Brady Singer and catcher Tyler Stephenson. Singer's qualifying offer of $23 million appears unappealing given his 5.67 ERA and particularly poor September performance, though a two-year deal around $26 million could be justified by his steadier track record. Stephenson has emerged as an above-average hitter since June with a 122 wRC+ and elite pitch-blocking skills, making him a priority to retain on a two-year, $20 million contract. The blog Red Machine suggests this approach would cost approximately $23 million annually for both players rather than spending that amount on Singer alone.

Chase Burns' season ended with a groin strain that required placement on the injured list, though the injury is not considered severe. Burns had an excellent first full major league season with a 2.86 ERA across 29 starts and a 30 percent strikeout rate, earning an All-Star selection and a seven-year, $105 million contract extension. Spencer Steer will continue rehabbing from a wrist injury in the Arizona Fall League, with surgery still a possibility if conservative treatment fails.