The Boston Red Sox, fresh off a dramatic 2026 season that saw manager Alex Cora fired and Chad Tracy lead a 21‑4 July surge before a Wild Card sweep by the Yankees, are exploring a bold shortstop upgrade. Insider Robert Murray says Boston will probe trade values for Elly De La Cruz, Zach Neto or C.J. Abrams this month. The 24‑year‑old Reds star posted a .283 average, .880 OPS, 30 homers and 67 steals in 2026, and is under arbitration through 2029. Potential Red Sox assets include pitcher Brayan Bello, outfielder Jarren Duran, top prospect Franklin Arias and several high‑ranked pitching prospects.
The KBO’s SSG Landers sign right‑hander Lyon Richardson to a one‑year, $900,000 contract with a $100,000 signing bonus. The former second‑round pick of the Cincinnati Reds (2018) posted a 6.48 ERA over 58⅓ innings in four MLB seasons, mainly in 2025. After a series of designations for assignment and brief stints with the Reds and Brewers, Richardson chose the KBO to secure financial stability and a starting role. The move offers him a chance to reset his control issues and showcase his value for a potential MLB return next season.
Carson Kelly emerges as a top free‑agent catcher after two solid seasons with the Cubs, posting a .258/.336/.376 line, 10 homers, 58 RBIs and a 103 wRC+ over 121 games in 2026. While his ground‑ball rate jumped to 45.8%, his contact skills and pitch‑blocking remain assets, though his arm is below average. At 32, Kelly can command a 1‑3‑year deal worth $6‑12 million. The article flags four logical suitors: the struggling Cincinnati Reds, who need offensive spark and defensive stability; a potential return to Chicago, where he logged a 109 wRC+ over two years; plus two other unspecified clubs. Teams weighing a balance of consistency and upside will find Kelly an attractive option.
Taylor Ward’s 2026 season turned into a mystery: after a 36‑HR campaign, he logged just seven homers in 143 games for Baltimore and Seattle, slashing .225/.359/.311 with a career‑low 88.7 mph exit velocity and a 34% swing‑at‑strikes rate. The trade that sent Grayson Rodriguez to the Angels now looks costly, but Ward’s 16% walk rate and left‑handed split keep him marketable as a 33‑year‑old corner outfielder. The piece argues the Cincinnati Reds are the best fit—a hometown team needing a veteran bat—while also noting interest from the Padres and other mid‑tier clubs. Projected free‑agent value sits at $7‑$12 million for a 1‑2 year deal.
The post celebrates two Toronto Blue Jays birthdays. Pat Hentgen turns 58; he won the 1996 Cy Young with a 20‑10 record, 3.22 ERA and 265.2 innings, became the franchise’s first winner, earned four All‑Star nods and two World Series rings, finishing his ten‑year Blue Jays stint at 107‑85 with a 4.28 ERA and 26.7 WAR. After trades and a brief return, he retired with a 131‑112 record and later served as Jays bullpen coach and TV analyst. Santiago Espinal, now 32, logged four Blue Jays seasons, posted a .311 line in 2021, made the 2022 All‑Star team, struggled in 2023, was traded to the Reds for 2024, and hit .246/.295/.356 there.
The Washington Nationals have released right‑hand reliever Kyle Nicolas, who was designated for assignment after the team acquired Reiver Sanmartín. Nicolas never appeared in a major‑league game for Washington, spending the season with Triple‑A Rochester where he posted a 3.27 ERA but a high 18.7% walk rate. The former Ball State draftee has four MLB seasons with the Pirates and Reds, a career 4.97 ERA over 105⅓ innings, and a fastball that tops 98‑99 mph. His release could signal interest from overseas, as the Nats chose not to retain him on a minor‑league roster.
Toronto’s off‑season chatter centers on several depth pieces and a possible rotation upgrade. Catcher Brandon Valenzuela, who posted a .222 line with a 93 wRC+ and 2.1 WAR in 91 games, draws trade interest – the Reds were previously mentioned – and could fetch a bat or arm. Infielder Ernie Clement (projected $7.6M salary) and utility man Josh Smith (under club control through 2028, $3.7M) are both under review, with the Jays weighing a trade for Clement and expanding Smith’s role. Versatile outfielder/second baseman Davis Schneider, whose 2025 numbers slipped in 2026, is another trade candidate. On the mound, Toronto eyes rotation help, eyeing Freddy Peralta and possible reunions with Kevin Gausman, Max Scherzer or Shane Bieber, while also scouting Michael Soroka and Kris Bubic as high‑upside, injury‑prone options.
DaShawn Keirsey Jr., a former 2018 fourth‑round pick of the Minnesota Twins, signs a minor‑league deal with Atlanta and spends most of 2026 in Triple‑A Gwinnett, where he posts a .295 wOBA, steals 40 of 43 attempts and hits .290 xWOBA. Injuries to Lane Thomas earn him a September call‑up; he appears in five games, scoring the winning run in a 10th‑inning 3‑2 victory over the Reds on Sept. 23 and recording a single as a pinch‑hit the day before. Despite solid speed, his major‑league line is limited to five plate appearances with a 0‑for‑4 start on Sept. 27. Keirsey makes the Wild Card roster but sees no action, leaving his big‑league future uncertain due to persistently high strikeout rates.
The Detroit Tigers sign veteran reliever Emilio Pagan to a one‑year, $11.5 million deal, targeting a boost after trading AL Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal. Insider Buster Olney highlights Pagan’s elite 2026 finish with the Cincinnati Reds—1.42 ERA, 27 strikeouts, just three walks over 25 innings—and his 59.3% fly‑ball rate, a perfect fit for Detroit’s park (soon to be Fifth Third Park). Pagan posted a 3.38 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, 45 strikeouts and 25 saves in 42.2 innings last season. The Tigers aim to improve on a 76‑86 record and fourth‑place AL Central finish.
The Cincinnati Reds are hiring a full‑time Baseball Operations Trainee in their front office, based in Cincinnati, OH. The role supports research, player evaluation, and administrative tasks—including salary arbitration, roster management, scouting reports, and video prep—splitting time between analysis (40%), admin (40%) and player evaluation (15%). Candidates need a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in a quantitative field, strong Excel/SQL/R/Python skills, and familiarity with baseball data and modern performance technologies. Experience in college or pro baseball and willingness to work flexible hours, weekends and travel are required.
David Stearns stays optimistic that 36‑year‑old Marcus Semien can improve next season after a disappointing 2025 campaign, while the Mets eye several offseason moves. Scott Boras is reportedly pitching Tarik Skubal to New York as the Dec. 1 lockout looms, though the team downplays its chances. The Mets have also met with Alec Bohm’s reps and are adding former Reds/Brewers coach Derek Johnson in an advisory role. Across the NL East, the Braves sign reliever Evan Phillips to a three‑year, $35 million deal and add utility man Tyler Freeman. Former Mets prospect Pete Crow‑Armstrong earns the NL MVP, joining AL winner Yordan Alvarez as unanimous selections.
Baseball America’s draft podcast episode, hosted by J.J. Cooper and Carlos Collazo, breaks down the NL Central’s draft performance since 2020. Listeners get a team‑by‑team analysis—Reds, Cardinals, Pirates, Cubs, and Brewers—highlighting the biggest draft successes, missed opportunities, and players they’d trade back. The show also previews the 2027 Top‑10 prospects for each club and promotes the upcoming 2027 Prospect Handbook. With timestamps for each segment, fans can jump straight to the team of interest and hear expert insights on recent draft classes.
Baseball America’s Future Projection podcast episode, hosted by Ben Badler and Carlos Collazo, breaks down the 2027 farm systems of every NL Central club. The two analysts rank each team's top ten prospects, discuss the NL Rookie of the Year voting, and dive into individual sections for the Reds (8:30), Cardinals (23:00), Pirates (37:00), Cubs (54:00), and Brewers (1:12:00). Listeners get a detailed look at emerging talent and how each organization’s pipeline could shape the upcoming season.
At the GM Meetings in Las Vegas, agent Scott Boras slammed the Cincinnati Reds’ outdated ownership approach, saying the club still runs like it did 20 years ago. Boras, who represents Reds star Elly De La Cruz, warned that the small‑market team struggles to retain talent as the CBA expires and a lockout looms. He highlighted the Reds’ failure to secure a long‑term deal for De La Cruz, contrasting their model with other small‑market clubs that have found success. The comments come as the 2026 lockout threatens the upcoming Winter Meetings, putting extra focus on the Reds’ future roster moves.
Bill Bonham, the Cubs’ No. 95 all‑time player, rose from a $2,000 undrafted free‑agent signing in 1970 to a workhorse pitcher in the mid‑1970s. After a strong 1973 debut – highlighted by an 8‑1/3‑inning, three‑hit, nine‑strikeout outing against the Dodgers – he earned a full rotation spot in 1974, posting a 3.86 ERA, 191 strikeouts (sixth in the NL) and 3.2 bWAR despite a 11‑22 record on a 96‑loss team. He remains the last Cubs pitcher to lose 20+ games in a season. After mixed results and leading the NL in earned runs in 1975, Bonham was traded to the Reds in 1977 and retired in 1980 due to elbow and shoulder injuries.
The Detroit Tigers open their offseason by signing veteran reliever Emilio Pagan to a one‑year, $11 million contract. The 10‑year MLB pitcher, who spent the last three seasons closing for Cincinnati and posted a 3.64 career ERA, offers the Tigers a proven high‑leverage arm after a bullpen that blew 32 saves and lost 20 games in the seventh inning or later last season. Pagan’s 2026 numbers – a 2.85 ERA in save situations and a low .424 OPS allowed – suggest he can stabilize the ninth inning, while his swing‑and‑miss stuff (95 mph fastball, cutter, splitter) fits Detroit’s pitcher‑friendly park. The deal preserves flexibility for the rest of the offseason.
The New York Mets are poised to add former Brewers and Reds pitching coach Derek Johnson as an advisor, according to MLB Trade Rumors. Johnson, who spent a decade as a big‑league pitching coach and most recently served as the Reds’ director of pitching before leaving for personal reasons, joins a Mets staff that already includes pitching coach Justin Willard and assistant Dan McKinney. The move comes as Andy Green prepares to lead the team full‑time, with a rotation anchored by Nolan McLean and Christian Scott while veterans like Kodai Senga and Sean Manaea fight for roles.
Baseball America invites fans to a live chat at 2 p.m. ET on November 12, 2026, where J.J. Cooper will break down the Cincinnati Reds' new Top 10 Prospects list for the 2027 season. Readers can submit questions about the farm system, view the Reds' projected 2030 lineup, and explore the organization’s top tools, offering a deep dive into Cincinnati’s future talent pool.
Baseball America unveils the Cincinnati Reds’ top 10 prospects for 2027, led by power‑hitting catcher Alfredo Duno, who combines plate discipline with 25‑plus home run upside. A live chat with J.J. Cooper at 2 p.m. ET will dive into Duno and the farm’s overall health. The article also offers new scouting reports, a projected 2030 Reds lineup, and highlights the organization’s elite tools—best hitter Carter Graham, fastest baserunner Steele Hall, and top arm Carlos Jorge, among others. Notable free agents before 2030 include Elly De La Cruz and Hunter Greene.
Baseball Prospectus announces the Cincinnati Reds’ Baseball Operations Trainee opening, a full‑time, on‑site role in the front office beginning either full‑year or summer‑start. Candidates need a bachelor’s degree or equivalent in a quantitative field and must demonstrate strong analytical skills, familiarity with baseball data, and proficiency in Excel, SQL, R or Python. Duties include 40% research for arbitration and roster decisions, 15% player evaluation, and 40% administrative support such as scouting prep. The position is based in Cincinnati, OH, requires flexible hours, travel, and a willingness to relocate.
The latest MLB rumors coming out of GM Meetings in Las Vegas, including the Reds' willingness to trade Elly De La Cruz, the Cubs' top targets, Teruaki Sato suitors and more.
The Cincinnati Reds, facing a dire need for reliable starters after losing Brady Singer and seeing Hunter Greene miss 2027 with a second Tommy John surgery, are eyeing former Cy Young winner Shane Bieber. At 31, Bieber is a free agent after a down 2026 season but boasts strong underlying metrics and a history with manager Terry Francona and new assistant pitching coach Joe Torres from their Cleveland days. The Reds, committed to low‑cost moves, could offer a one‑year “show‑me” deal to revive Bieber’s value and bolster a rotation that also includes Nick Lodolo, Andrew Abbott, Rhett Lowder and Chase Petty.
The Reds are weighing big‑time contracts for two of their brightest young stars. Rookie of the Year Sal Stewart, who posted a .263/.330/.457 slash line with 32 homers and an MLB‑best 115 RBI in 2026, has not yet been offered an extension, but his control runs through 2031 and a nine‑figure deal similar to recent pre‑arb contracts for top middle‑infielders is expected. Shortstop Elly De La Cruz, still under contract for three more seasons after rejecting a record‑setting extension in 2025, may also be a trade candidate, though club president Nick Krall says nothing is concrete. Meanwhile, a UCL tear to Hunter Greene and the loss of free‑agent Brady Singer leave Cincinnati scrambling to add durable pitching via free agency or trades.
Former Reds closer Emilio Pagán opts out of his 2026 contract and signs a one‑year, $11 million deal with the Detroit Tigers for the 2027 season. After a breakout 2025 that earned him a two‑year, $20 million extension with Cincinnati, Pagán exercised his opt‑out just days after the Brewers’ World Series win. Tigers manager Terry Francona praised his teammate, while Reds manager Terry Francona expressed lingering respect. Pagán’s move leaves Detroit with a fly‑ball reliever suited to Comerica Park and forces Cincinnati to hunt for a new closer ahead of the upcoming lockout.
Born in Kearney, N.J., Ownie Carroll dazzles as a high‑school and college pitcher before signing with Detroit in 1925. He posts a solid rookie year, peaks in 1928 with a 16‑12 record, then sees his value drop. In 1930 the Tigers trade him to the Yankees for Waite Hoyt, but Carroll struggles in ten Pinstripe appearances, posting a 6.61 ERA and a 0‑1 record before being sold to Cincinnati. His brief Yankee stint is one of the weakest in franchise history, while Ruth even pitches a two‑run shutout that season. Carroll later hops to the Reds, Cardinals and Dodgers, becoming the only player ever swapped for Dazzy Vance. The piece highlights his early promise and why his Yankees chapter remains a footnote.