September 5, 2025
Cincinnati Reds news
The Cincinnati Reds once looked promising. On trade deadline day in 2023, they sat at 59-49, ten games over .500, and held a 1.5-game lead over the Brewers in the NL Central. But that season unraveled quickly, remembered as one of the team’s most frustrating collapses. Part of the disappointment stemmed from the team’s minimal trade deadline activity, adding only reliever Sam Moll despite clear roster needs.
Fast forward to 2025. Many believed this year’s Reds were stronger than the 2023 squad, even though they weren’t leading the division. This time, the front office made more moves at the deadline, including acquiring Ke’Bryan Hayes to stabilize third base and shifting Noelvi Marte to the outfield. Pitcher Zack Littell was also added to a rotation hampered by injuries.
However, the fundamental problem remains: the Reds’ core hitters have gone cold. Even before July, the offense was inconsistent, but now nearly everyone has slumped. The lack of reliable bats has placed immense pressure on the pitching and defense, causing the team to crack under strain.
Elly De La Cruz continues to be the star, but even he has struggled with power, hitting just one home run in his last 56 games — yet still leading the team in homers. The Reds have built an offense that relies heavily on stringing together hits rather than power, a strategy that has proven ineffective in today’s strikeout-heavy game.
Despite knowing more about their roster and having two additional years of data compared to 2023, the Reds’ front office doubled down on their existing pieces instead of addressing glaring weaknesses. Now, they sit barely above .500, closer to slipping behind the rebuilding Cardinals than catching up to the surging Mets.
FanGraphs gives them just a 2.5% chance of making the playoffs. At the moment, they’re clinging to third place, with the risk of dropping further. This collapse reflects the product of Nick Krall’s five years of roster building — a team that still struggles to finish strong.
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