Red Reporter
AAAA Affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds
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Important Offseason Dates as the Cincinnati Reds prep for 2027 season
The Reds’ 2027 offseason kicks off with free‑agency filings at 9 a.m. ET on October 29, followed by a five‑day exclusive negotiation window for players like Tyler Stephenson and Brock Burke. By November 1 the Gold Glove winners are announced, and on November 2 the Silver Slugger finalists emerge, spotlighting Elly De La Cruz, while Sal Stewart becomes a NL Rookie of the Year contender. November 9 decides Stewart’s award and a potential extra first‑round pick for Cincinnati. The GM meetings run Nov 9‑12 in Las Vegas ahead of a looming lockout, with Cy Young winners named Nov 11 and MVPs on Nov 12. Hall of Fame ballots drop Nov 16, rounding out a packed calendar for Reds fans.
World Series Game 5 – Milwaukee Brewers at Tampa Bay Rays
In Game 4 of the 2026 World Series, the Tampa Bay Rays survived a dramatic 12th‑inning comeback, overturning Cooper Pratt's walk‑off homer to win 4‑3 over the Milwaukee Brewers. The victory forces a decisive Game 5 on Wednesday night at 8 PM ET, with Brewers ace Jacob Misiorowski pitching for Tampa and right‑hander Drew Rasmussen starting for Milwaukee on short rest. Both teams have released their lineups, and FOX will broadcast the likely final MLB game before the upcoming lockout.
Sal Stewart named 2026 Players Choice Awards NL Outstanding Rookie
Cincinnati Reds rookie Sal Stewart earns the 2026 Players Choice Awards National League Outstanding Rookie, tallying 32 home runs and 111 RBIs in his debut season. Voted by his peers, the honor follows his Sporting News NL Rookie of the Year win and precedes the BBWAA Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year announcement on November 9, which could net the Reds an extra first‑round draft pick. Stewart’s breakout performance adds significant hardware to his rookie résumé.
Brewers can clinch the World Series with a Game 4 win over Rays tonight
The Milwaukee Brewers lead the 2026 World Series 3-0 after a dominant 10-1 win over the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 3, setting up a chance to clinch the title with a Game 4 victory tonight at Tropicana Field. Brewers starter Dustin May will take the mound against Rays rookie Griffin Jax, who follows a short‑look at Freddy Peralta. First pitch is scheduled for just after 8:00 PM ET on FOX. A win would give Milwaukee its first championship as the league heads toward a potential lockout after the CBA expires Dec. 1.
Where Edwin Arroyo fits into the Cincinnati Reds future (and present)
Edwin Arroyo, the 23‑year‑old switch‑hitting infielder the Reds acquired in the 2022 Luis Castillo trade, struggled through the 2026 season, posting a .223/.266/.264 line (.529 OPS) over 160 plate appearances and a dismal .171 OPS at Great American Ball Park. After a dominant AAA stint last year (.301/.367/.524, 15 homers), his major‑league defense and situational hitting have raised doubts about the trade’s payoff. The article weighs his potential—plus glovework and minor‑league power—against his immediate impact, comparing his trajectory to fellow infielder Matt McLain and discussing the franchise’s future in‑field options for 2027.
World Series Game 3 – Milwaukee Brewers at Tampa Bay Rays
After rallying from a 5-4 deficit to win Game 2 and take a 2-0 lead in the 2026 World Series, the Milwaukee Brewers head to Tropicana Field for Game 3. Left‑hander Robert Gasser receives the ball for Milwaukee, while former Brewer Freddy Peralta, now with Tampa Bay, makes his first start against his old club. The game is slated for a post‑8 PM ET kickoff on FOX. Lineups for both sides were released on MLB’s Twitter feed, confirming the key match‑ups for the decisive third contest.
Cincinnati Reds links – Arizona Fall League, Winter League standouts
While the World Series pauses, Cincinnati Reds prospects shine abroad. In the Arizona Fall League, 23‑year‑old outfielder Yerlin Confidan bursts onto the scene for the Peoria Javelinas, posting a .255 line with 15 homers in the regular season and a 1.097 OPS in AFL play, including a 7‑for‑12 stretch with a 110‑mph triple and a dinger. In the Venezuelan Winter League, 20‑year‑old catcher Alfredo Duno becomes the youngest homerer of the campaign. Meanwhile, former Reds prospect Noelvi Marte rebounds in the Dominican Winter League, hitting .400/.424/.567 in October, and rookie Carlos Jorge adds a two‑run blast for the Gigantes del Cibao.
World Series Game 2 – Tampa Bay Rays at Milwaukee Brewers
Nick Martinez delivers a solid start for the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 1, but Milwaukee’s power trio—Cooper Pratt, Christian Yelich and a dominant bullpen—edges the Brewers to a 3‑2 victory at American Family Field. Game 2 kicks off Saturday just after 8 PM ET, with Milwaukee deploying right‑hander Logan Henderson to chase a 2‑0 series lead, while Tampa counters with postseason workhorse Drew Rasmussen (21 IP, 1.76 ERA, .76 WHIP). Lineups for both clubs are posted on MLB’s Twitter, and FOX will provide live coverage.
World Series Game 1 – Tampa Bay Rays at Milwaukee Brewers
The 2026 World Series kicks off Friday night at Milwaukee's American Family Field as the Brewers host the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 1. Milwaukee starts fireballer Jacob Misiorowski, who can touch 105 mph, while Tampa Bay counters with former Reds right‑hander Nick Martinez after a strong 2025 season. The roof will be closed, first pitch is set for just after 8 PM ET, and FOX will broadcast the game with John Smoltz on the call.
Cincinnati Reds announce passing of former 1B Todd Benzinger
The Cincinnati Reds mourn the death of former first baseman and 1990 World Series hero Todd Benzinger, who died at 63. A Dayton, Kentucky native, Benzinger was drafted by Boston before joining Cincinnati in a 1989 trade that sent Nick Esasky and Rob Murphy the other way. He hit 17 homers in his rookie season and played a key defensive role in the Reds’ 4‑0 sweep of the Oakland Athletics in the 1990 World Series, famously making a dramatic ninth‑inning catch at Oakland‑Alameda County Coliseum. After retiring, he managed the Dayton Dragons and stayed active in youth coaching. Tributes poured in from the Reds organization and former teammate Rob Dibble.
One last chance for Matt McLain with the Cincinnati Reds
The Reds face a dilemma with infielder Matt McLain, who earned a $4.6 M signing bonus after being drafted 17th overall in 2021 and has now logged 1,073 plate appearances since 2025. Despite solid defensive reputation, his offensive numbers are among the league’s worst: a .204 batting average, .288 OBP, .339 slugging and a wRC+ of 74—the lowest among regulars with 1,000+ PA. He hits .167/.249/.303 against right‑handed pitchers (370 PA) and only modestly better versus lefties. Injuries have limited his development, and the Reds are likely to arbitrate him again for a modest raise in 2027. The article weighs his defensive value against persistently poor hitting.
Luke Holman back on prospect radar after excelling in Arizona Fall League
Luke Holman is re‑emerging as a top prospect for the Cincinnati Reds after a dominant Arizona Fall League outing. The 23‑year‑old former LSU right‑hander, who missed most of 2025–26 due to Tommy John surgery and a groin injury, threw nine innings, allowing one earned run while striking out 15 and walking just one. FanGraphs rates him the #17 prospect in the Reds’ system (MLB Pipeline lists him 23rd). If he stays healthy, Holman could quickly fill a glaring need for quality starting pitching in Cincinnati’s farm clubs, joining recent draftees like Chase Burns, Tyson Lewis and Mike Sirota in the organization’s 2024 draft success story.
There might yet be more to JJ Bleday for the Cincinnati Reds
The Reds’ 2026 season shined thanks to stars like Elly De La Cruz and Chase Burns, but corner outfielder JJ Bleday was a glaring underperformer, posting a .217/.324/.416 line and a disappointing 1.2 bWAR. After a strong start in AAA Louisville, Bledby earned a call‑up and briefly exploded in May, winning NL Player of the Month with a .301/.399/.655 slash and 10 homers in 31 games. However, his BABIP collapsed from .304 to .216 after June 2, and his extreme fly‑ball profile (51.4% FB) couldn’t sustain the early success. The article questions whether the Reds can unlock more value from the 29‑year‑old before his contract expires.
Cleveland Guardians vs. Tampa Bay Rays – ALCS Game 6
Game 6 of the ALCS pits the Tampa Bay Rays against the Cleveland Guardians on Oct. 19, 2026, with the Rays aiming to clinch the series in Tampa. After trailing 2‑1, Tampa wins the weekend games in Ohio and now starts right‑hander Freddy Peralta on the mound, while the Guardians counter with reliever Shawn Armstrong in a crucial bullpen showdown. The winner advances to the World Series against the Milwaukee Brewers. The game kicks off at 8:08 PM ET on TBS/truTV.
Cincinnati Reds News – Carlos Sanchez shines in Arizona, bad Elly De La Cruz trade rumors
In the Arizona Fall League, Reds shortstop Carlos Sanchez hit a homer and is batting .250/.400/.464 over eight games after a solid .270/.376/.440 2026 season across High‑A Dayton and AA Chattanooga. Former 2024 second‑round pick Luke Holman impressed with five innings, one earned run and 10 strikeouts in two appearances. The blog also fuels Elly De Cruz trade chatter, noting Joey Votto’s criticism of the Reds’ analytics and a speculative deal sending De Cruz to the Yankees for top prospect Franklin Arias. Free‑agent outfielder Ian Happ praised Cincinnati, while MLB.com’s Mark Sheldon flags three Reds prospects to watch in 2027.
Elly, Chase, and Expectations – Part 3
Today’s article is the final of a 3-part series, broadly investigating expected results for a team that can boast the kind of young talent that the Reds have in Elly De La Cruz and Chase Burns, who combined for over 10 WAR and made up roughly 1% of the team’s overall payroll. We’ll start by […]
Cincinnati Reds avoid arbitration with Oswaldo Cabrera
By September 18th of the 2026 regular season, the Cincinnati Reds were long toast. They were 10 games under the .500 mark and a lock to finish dead last in the five-team National League Central division, and the final home game of the year was just two days away. You will not be blamed if […]
Elly, Chase, and Expectations – Part 2
In part 1 of this series, I looked at the past 30 years or so of teams and what we might generally expect based on little more than knowing how good a team’s best two players. Today, in part 2, we’ll pick up with a question that wonders if it should matter that De La […]
Elly, Chase, and Expectations – Part 1
The mathematics of baseball are linear. Perhaps this is a no brainer of a statement to you or perhaps, and maybe more likely, you haven’t spent a great deal of time thinking about this. But the linearity of baseball’s math is a critical underpinning to thinking about successful team construction. I have two primary theses […]
Dayton still loves watching the Dragons play ball
The 2026 regular season marked the fourth straight year that Major League Baseball has seen overall attendance rise. As Sports Business Journal noted at the end of September – coinciding with the end of the regular season itself – MLB teams averaged 29,601 fans per game through their 2,429 games, a mark that was up […]
Alfredo Duno isn’t the Cincinnati Reds catcher yet, but he’s close
The offseason between 2005 and 2006 was one of great transition for the Cincinnati Reds. You’ll be shocked to be reminded of their disappointing 2005 season – Dave Miley got fired near the midpoint and they went just 1-7 over their final 8 games to finish 73-89 and in last place in the NL Central. […]
NLCS begins Sunday as Milwaukee Brewers host Los Angeles Dodgers
The mountains that the Cincinnati Reds will need to climb to be relevant again in the National League will be on full display on Sunday night in Milwaukee as the Brewers play host to the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 1 of the National League Championship Series. The only question that will be answered is […]
Ways in which the Cincinnati Reds ranked last in 2026
You may have noticed that there are Major League Baseball games being played in front of packed houses each and every day this week. You may also have noticed that none of them have featured the Cincinnati Reds. That’s because the Reds, unfortunately, were terrible this year. And terrible teams don’t get to play October […]
MLB proposes reduced schedule, new playoff format
Major League Baseball is heading straight for a work stoppage. Of that we are all almost 100% certain, as the latest Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) expires on December 1st and both MLB and the MLB Players Association seem far apart on their biggest demands. Chief among those is the scuttlebutt surrounding a potential cap and […]
All four MLB Division Series could be decided today
There’s a massive slate of playoff baseball on the docket for today, the 7th of October. All four Division Series could well end up decided by the wee hours of the morning! The Cleveland Guardians have their backs against the wall as the Chicago White Sox look to send them back home with a sweep. […]
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