Why the Reds have ‘swagger’ ahead of Opening Day | That’s So Cincinnati

It’s hard to believe we’re a week away from Cincinnati Reds Opening Day, but at The Enquirer, we’re more than ready for this year’s upcoming baseball season.

There’s the return of slugger Eugenio Suárez, who put on a show in the World Baseball Classic for Team Venezuela. The team is also backed by its electrifying run to the postseason last October (despite the team falling to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the first round).

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Ahead of Opening Day on March 26, The Enquirer’s Cincinnati Reds beat writer, Gordon Wittenmyer, who’s been covering the team’s spring training stint in Goodyear, Arizona, joined the “That’s So Cincinnati” podcast. He revealed the team has a little bit of “swagger” to it this year.

Wittenmyer praised the team for its decision to bring back Suárez, calling it one of the best offseason moves for any MLB team. He anticipates the 35-year-old’s bat to be a huge factor in the Reds’ lineup, along with Elly De La Cruz, who’s noticeably put on muscle since last season.

Aside from his power, Wittenmyer said Suárez’s personality and work ethic have already begun to impact the team. So much so Wittenmyer revealed the Reds dugout believes they will be postseason contenders.

If you’re wondering how the Reds are feeling ahead of Opening Day (and how our sports writers are handling Arizona’s heat and wildlife), take a listen to the “That’s So Cincinnati” podcast at the top of the page.

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Here’s who the Cincinnati Reds cut from spring training 2026 so far

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Here’s who the Cincinnati Reds cut from spring training 2026 so far

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Here’s who the Cincinnati Reds cut from spring training 2026 so far

Infielder Michael Chavis was reassigned to minor league camp.

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Here’s who the Cincinnati Reds cut from spring training 2026 so far

Infielder Cam Collier was reassigned to minor league camp.

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Here’s who the Cincinnati Reds cut from spring training 2026 so far

Catcher Connor Burns was reassigned to minor league camp.

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Here’s who the Cincinnati Reds cut from spring training 2026 so far

Pitcher Carson Spiers was reassigned to minor league camp.

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Here’s who the Cincinnati Reds cut from spring training 2026 so far

Infielder Michael Toglia was reassigned to minor league camp.

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Here’s who the Cincinnati Reds cut from spring training 2026 so far

Pitcher Joel Valdez was reassigned to minor league camp.

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Here’s who the Cincinnati Reds cut from spring training 2026 so far

Pitcher Julian Aguiar was reassigned to minor league camp and optioned to Triple-A Louisville.

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Here’s who the Cincinnati Reds cut from spring training 2026 so far

Pitcher Jose Franco was reassigned to minor league camp.

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Here’s who the Cincinnati Reds cut from spring training 2026 so far

Outfielder Hector Rodriguez was reassigned to minor league camp and optioned to Triple-A Louisville.

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Here’s who the Cincinnati Reds cut from spring training 2026 so far

Infielder Edwin Arroyo was reassigned to minor league camp and optioned to Triple-A Louisville.

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Here’s who the Cincinnati Reds cut from spring training 2026 so far

Shortstop Leo Balcazar was optioned to Double-A Chattanooga.

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Here’s who the Cincinnati Reds cut from spring training 2026 so far

Pitcher Darren McCaughan was reassigned to minor league camp.

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Here’s who the Cincinnati Reds cut from spring training 2026 so far

Infielder Christian Encarnacion-Strand will begin the 2026 season with Triple-A Louisville.

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Here’s who the Cincinnati Reds cut from spring training 2026 so far

Pitcher Chase Petty will begin the 2026 season with Triple-A Louisville.

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Here’s who the Cincinnati Reds cut from spring training 2026 so far

Catcher Michael Trautwein was reassigned to minor league camp.

“That’s So Cincinnati,” The Enquirer’s weekly podcast on what’s making news in our community, features a who’s who of special guests. Find it at Audioboom, Apple or your favorite podcast platform.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Why the Cincinnati Reds have ‘swagger’ ahead of Opening Day