Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images

*PREDICTION*

After reaching the postseason this year, the Cincinnati Reds have some work to do if they want to build upon the success of 2025. Cincinnati has a solid core in place, but the roster does need some extra resources added if they want to make a big run.

With manager Terry Francona now in place, the Reds owe it to themselves to make sure that they don’t waste these opportunities. The Reds got some playoff experience with this group, and now they will look to go even deeper next season.

Cincinnati could use more help in the pitching department, especially within the bullpen. This team has the tools to be very successful in 2026, but it will be up to the front office to put the players in the best place to find success.

With the Reds’ need for more bullpen help this offseason, the team has been connected to some of the bigger names across the free agent market. While Cincinnati didn’t end up landing any of them, we could still see the team look to bring in some help to address the holes in the bullpen.

However, since the Reds don’t typically open the checkbooks in free agency, it remains to be seen how aggressive the front office will be in addressing these issues. If Cincinnati doesn’t add more talent to the bullpen, it could be another wasted year, and it would be extremely unfortunate for the loyal fans that the team has.

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Pete Fairbanks Signs With Cincinnati Reds in Free Agency

One name that could make a lot of sense for the Reds to bring in is veteran right-hander Pete Fairbanks, who spent the last few years with the Tampa Bay Rays. Fairbanks wasn’t supposed to be a free agent this winter, but the Rays made a strange decision to decline his player option for the 2026 season.

The Rays’ decision to move off Fairbanks was seen as a strange one across baseball, especially considering how well he has performed for them. Fairbanks was only due $11 million for the upcoming season, making the move a little head-scratching.

However, now that he is a free agent, a team like the Reds could jump at the chance to bring him into the mix. Fairbanks posted an ERA of 2.83 over 63 appearances for the Rays, and he could easily help the Cincinnati bullpen.

The right-hander put up 27 saves with Tampa Bay last year as well, and he has proven himself over time late in games. Fairbanks could come in to help bolster this Cincinnati relief system, and he may not force the team to break the bank.

Fairbanks could be the shutdown reliever that the Reds missed all year in 2025, and he could really help this squad going forward. Overall, this could be one of the stronger moves for Cincinnati to consider, and the front office may want to take advantage of him being available.