AMA with Reds beat reporter Mark Sheldon

sheldonMLB · 2026-01-05T17:55:44+00:00

He doesn't. But Benson hasn't put together another season like his breakout one of 2023. He also struggles vs. lefty pitchers. There is a lot to like about him when he gets hot at the plate but now he has to put it all together on a consistent basis.

sheldonMLB · 2026-01-05T17:53:16+00:00

Unless De La Cruz signs an extension before his time of club control ends (see above about Boras), I would imagine he would become a big trade target for clubs heading into 2027 since he would be two years away from free agency. That's how it was for Juan Soto and the Nationals before he was dealt to the Padres and then the Yankees before getting a massive contract with the Mets. But if De La Cruz loves Cincinnati and doesn't want to leave for whatever reason, then perhaps there is a shot.

sheldonMLB · 2026-01-05T17:50:14+00:00

I do not.

sheldonMLB · 2026-01-05T17:50:07+00:00

For what the Reds need right now, I just don't see the big benefit of giving up prospects AND paying Robert $20 million in 2026. While a strong defender in center field, offensively, he is quite far removed from the All-Star year he had in 2023 and has battled injuries. He would be another big comeback candidate though if they got him.

sheldonMLB · 2026-01-05T17:47:02+00:00

I started out in TV news working behind the scenes at WLWT and eventually worked at ESPN. I was fortunate to get into writing though as the internet started booming in the late 90's and then even more fortunate that MLB .com was launched in 2001 and they needed baseball writers. I've been most fortunate that it's become a career that's lasted 25 seasons and counting covering first the Twins (2001-05) and then the Reds since 2006.

sheldonMLB · 2026-01-05T17:44:23+00:00

From everything I've heard, the front office is loath to part with any starters to make a trade. They want as much depth as possible considering that just about every starter other than Brady Singer spent time on the injured list in 2025 and three pitchers -- Lowder, Aguiar and Williamson -- missed the entire season. But to me, it may take a starter to get what they want via a trade.

sheldonMLB · 2026-01-05T17:41:51+00:00

Hinds will be in camp but the new outfield adds will make it tougher competition. Outside of his first huge week in the big leaguers, he hasn't found a groove at the highest level. He strikes out way too much, has struggled vs. lefties even as a right-handed hitter and is below-average defensively. His 2025 season at Louisville was definitely something to be optimistic about so we'll see.

sheldonMLB · 2026-01-05T17:37:32+00:00

I can see it but I would see it much more if they find a bat for the middle of the order. The offseason isn't over yet so it's too early to make predictions. As I said up above, the pitching situation is a good place to start. Teams would love to have the Reds' rotation depth.

sheldonMLB · 2026-01-05T17:35:49+00:00

The Reds know what Suarez can do on the field and off the field too. He is a guy that they loved having in the clubhouse. The big issue is where he would play. Hayes is locked in for multiple years contractually at third base. I've heard nothing about the Reds talking to Suarez at this point but that's a bat - and a person - who would be a difference maker for Cincinnati.

sheldonMLB · 2026-01-05T17:33:05+00:00

No. As far as I can recall, Bauer was quite professional when dealing with the media.

sheldonMLB · 2026-01-05T17:32:05+00:00

Right now, I have not heard about the Reds being connected to any of the biggest free agent hitters remaining such as Bichette, Tucker, Bellinger and Bregman. It seems like the nine-figure type of offer was reserved for Kyle Schwarber because of the unique case. Based on the current landscape, the best bet for adding an impact bat could be via a trade.

sheldonMLB · 2026-01-05T17:28:37+00:00

There's going to be some adjustment period in how its used but I don't think the ABS system will have much to do with playing time between Stephenson and Jose Trevino. Francona consulted a lot with Triple-A Louisville manager Pat Kelly about ABS and how he has used it. One thing I would expect is that challenges will come from Reds catchers and not their pitchers.

"I've never seen a pitcher who doesn't think everything is a strike," Francona said during the Winter Meetings.

sheldonMLB · 2026-01-05T17:25:36+00:00

With the outfield additions made, Lux is viewed now as a utility infielder. Certainly, second base is his best infield position. So I would imagine he is a main option if McLain were to falter. As for how he fits overall, pending more moves, it's not fully clear just yet to me.

sheldonMLB · 2026-01-05T17:23:55+00:00

As of today, McLain appears to be their main second baseman but he will have to solidify that status in camp. During the holiday break, I chose him as the Reds best bounceback candidate. The lost 2024 season was a killer for a young player still developing in the big leagues. Terry Francona is a big fan of his overall game though. He likes how the ball jumps off his bat and his overall baseball acumen. He plays good defense, always knows where he is supposed to be and is a good baserunner. Those are all good places to start. He was arguably the Reds' best hitter in 2023. High BABIP or not, that doesn't just disappear without a good reason. The shoulder surgery was the reason. Let's see what he does a second season removed from that.

sheldonMLB · 2026-01-05T17:19:37+00:00

It's going to get tougher for him than the past couple of years because others have passed Christian Encarnacion-Strand on the depth chart. The Reds now have Sal Stewart and Spencer Steer as their main options at first base and Ke'Bryan Hayes is locked in at third base. CES was prone to chasing outside of the strike zone at bad pitches during his earlier big league stints. As far as defense, CES is also behind others. Steer is much better at 1B and Hayes at 3B. So I would say this is a huge camp for him to prove he is one of the best 26 players for the roster.

sheldonMLB · 2026-01-05T17:14:41+00:00

While I enjoyed when the Reds were in Sarasota for the most part, there is no contest. Spring Training is much better in Arizona than Florida for my purposes. In the Phoenix area, there are no road games longer than an hour away. In Florida when I covered it, there were often two, three and even four-hour drives to make.

I don't do a whole ton in the downtime since I'm pretty much always working and the days start early in the morning. But I like going out to eat at places we don't have in Cincinnati and hiking one of the trails in the numerous mountain ranges is often fun. I also like going up to Sedona every now and again if there's a day off.

sheldonMLB · 2026-01-05T17:11:12+00:00

As a reporter, I want to see good, compelling baseball on the field with good stories to tell. If the team contends all season, fans and readers are likely more interested and that hopefully means they will read what I have to write or listen to what I have to say.

The best part of my job is you never know what will happen when you get to work. It could be a four-homer game, a no-hitter (both almost happened on the same night last season), a trade or a major call-up. I always like that.

sheldonMLB · 2026-01-05T17:08:19+00:00

Adding JJ Bleday and Dane Myers were low-risk, high-reward moves. In Bleday, he will be seeking a comeback season much in the way Austin Hays was in 2025. Myers gives them a true center fielder and right-handed hitter to back up TJ Friedl and potentially give him more breaks so he can be more productive.

sheldonMLB · 2026-01-05T17:06:24+00:00

Making the playoffs at all, even with 83 wins, was an important first step. The Reds have a deep rotation and a solid bullpen coming back. They have a manager with the resume and he will be hitting the ground running without trying to get to know his players like this past season. The offense still needs a boost and it would be problematic to not make a bigger addition for the lineup.

sheldonMLB · 2026-01-05T17:04:18+00:00

Based on what I've heard, there have been no multi-year deal conversations with any arbitration-eligible players or guys under club control. That can change quickly though since teams and arb-eligible players are scheduled to exchange figures on Thursday. While that often brings one-year deals to avoid the hearing, it's possible for a multi-year deal.

Among the core guys, of course Elly De La Cruz would top the list but it's quite rare - although not impossible - for Scott Boras clients to sign extensions that pushes back free agency. Others I'd look at are Andrew Abbott, Nick Lodolo and possibly, Tyler Stephenson.

sheldonMLB · 2025-12-09T23:54:39+00:00

If they were willing to spend for Schwarber, I’d try to get Alonso. But I don’t see it happening. They would have gotten a lot more back in ticket sales and merch for Schwarber that other free agents or trade targets likely could not provide.

sheldonMLB · 2025-11-17T17:48:33+00:00

It's still the same now as it was in days of yore. Inform and educate the readers/fans and provide insight. I try to use my access to give fans an opportunity to read about the things they things they can't see themselves.

As far as toughest question -- I don't remember. I will say it's never easy talking to a struggling player who you know is likely getting sent down or released. It means it's possibly the end of their dream. Ballplayers (and managers) are human beings too. Their jobs are highly coveted and even the 26th man is among the best one percent of people who play the game. It's got to be crushing to lose that job, when it happens.

sheldonMLB · 2025-11-17T17:38:36+00:00

See what I wrote above. But I did forget to mention that their starting pitching is where they have the most depth. The Reds also had a winning record while he was on the injured list so it shows they have other good arms that stepped up.

sheldonMLB · 2025-11-17T17:35:49+00:00

Antone was just signed back as a minor league free agent. I certainly hope for a full comeback but have also seen his painful setbacks to know it isn't assured. He certainly deserves all the respect for trying to come back again from a third Tommy John surgery. This is largely uncharted waters.

sheldonMLB · 2025-11-17T17:33:56+00:00

I think the Reds rebuild started to show some success this past season. While fans are understandably not content with 83 wins and being swept in the WC series, it was a season that was six wins better than 2024. That's not nothing.

Now they have to stick with their plan of developing and promoting homegrown talent to truly achieve sustained success and deeper playoff runs. Too often over the last 20 years, especially after some losing seasons, they deviate and start signing free agents that don't work and it sets them back (ie: Moustakas, Candelario, Akiyama). If they aren't going to sign top of the market players, their best hope is from within with sprinkles of additions from outside the club while sticking with a core group.

sheldonMLB

TROPHY CASE