Cincinnati Reds News Roundup — September 30, 2026

The Cincinnati Reds finished 2026 with a 75-87 record, their worst season in four years and a dramatic step backward from their 2025 playoff appearance. The collapse occurred despite individual bright spots, including Elly De La Cruz's 30-30 season, Chase Burns' emergence as an ace, and rookie Sal Stewart's success, but the team was undone by offensive inconsistency, rotation injuries to Hunter Greene and Nick Lodolo, and bullpen fatigue. Manager Terry Francona faced criticism for his reluctance to adjust lineups and his reliance on underperforming veterans, with one outlet grading his performance a C.

The offseason is already reshaping the roster. The Reds designated TJ Friedl for assignment in late September, and he elected free agency after posting a .172 batting average with a 43 wRC+, the worst numbers of his career. Friedl's collapse appears tied to abandoning his contact-focused approach in favor of power, a strategy that conflicted with his skill set and the team's new hitting philosophy. His departure ends a tenure that had exceeded expectations through 2025, when he hit .261 and led MLB with 11 bunt base hits.

President of baseball operations Nick Krall retained his position despite fan disapproval, with ownership choosing to keep him heading into the offseason. While Krall's overall trade record has been problematic, recent analysis highlighted three successful trades, including the 2022 deal with Minnesota that brought Spencer Steer and the Mets trade that yielded prospect Héctor Rodríguez, who made his MLB debut this season. The front office is now examining whether to extend a qualifying offer to catcher Tyler Stevenson, whose combination of power and on-base ability makes him difficult to replace in a weak free agent market.

The Reds have also canceled RedsFest for the third time in four years, citing the expiration of the collective bargaining agreement on December 1. The cancellation compounds the disappointment of a disastrous season and marks another setback for fan engagement, as the event traditionally allows supporters to meet players and front office staff. The last traditional RedsFest occurred in 2022, when the organization showed optimism despite coming off a 100-loss season.