A couple of important Cincinnati Reds rumors suggest that the organization may make major moves to improve their chances of making the playoffs in 2025.
Despite ambitions of competing for a Wild Card position this season, the Reds finished with a disappointing 77-85 record. Nonetheless, many in the league believe Cincinnati has a solid core of young players to build a perennial playoff team on.
Elly De La Cruz appears to be the future face of the Reds franchise. While pitchers Hunter Greene, Andrew Abbott, and Nick Lodolo might form the foundation of a formidable rotation for years to come. However, they are still missing a few important players to be a serious contender in the National League Central.
David Bell, the club’s manager for six seasons, was fired last week. Well, this week, USA Today MLB expert Bob Nightengale identified two names that the organization is anticipated to seek this winter. And one of them is the most in-demand manager on the market.
“Skip Schumaker, who officially informed the Marlins and his players that he had no interest in returning before departing Friday for a family emergency, is the No. 1 target of the Cincinnati Reds,” according to Nightengale. “Former Cubs manager David Ross also is expected to be interviewed.”
Cincinnati Reds linked to Sonny Gray trade
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/66348566/1169253440.jpg.0.jpg)
Schumaker earned Manager of the Year in 2023. And is expected to generate a lot of interest from across the league. If Cincinnati can sign the talented 44-year-old, it will be a coup for the franchise.
However, that was not the only rumor Nightengale spread about the Reds this week. He also revealed that the St. Louis Cardinals are expected to shop three-time All-Star Sonny Gray this winter as they look to cut payroll. They signed the 34-year-old to a three-year, $75 million contract last offseason.
When the Cards begin accepting bids for Gray, Nightengale stated that the Cincinnati Reds are expected to be among the teams that would “aggressively” pursue him this winter. Landing Gray would propel the Reds’ staff into contention as one of the best in the NL next season.
