PLANS: Cincinnati Reds Face MAJOR Dilemma Adding Power Bat AND Bullpen Arms on SHOESTRING Budget

Cincinnati Reds face a pivotal offseason with just $20 million to spend—can budget signings spark a playoff push? Steve and Jeff break down affordable free agent options like Rhys Hoskins to inject much-needed power into a struggling Reds lineup, while weighing the impact of one-year “prove it” deals over splashy signings. Should Nick Krall target bullpen arms such as Jalen Beeks and Kyle Finnegan instead of chasing big names like Kyle Schwarber? The hosts unpack Cincinnati’s recent 40-man roster moves, spotlighting prospects Hector Rodriguez, Edwin Arroyo, and Leo Balcazar—and debate whether any could make a difference in 2026. With the winter meetings looming and a cautious MLB free agent market amid CBA uncertainty, will the Reds’ conservative approach leave gaps in the outfield or the bullpen? Stay tuned for an energetic, thoughtful analysis of the Reds’ offseason strategy and how it might shape the team’s NL Central hopes. Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms… 🎧 https://lockedonpodcasts.com/podcasts/locked-on-reds/ https://www.youtube.com/@LockedOnReds?sub_confirmation=1 Locked On MLB League-Wide: Every Team, Prospects & More 🎧 https://linktr.ee/LockedOnMLB BOOKMARK Sports Illustrated’s Cincinnati Reds site, Inside the Reds! https://www.si.com/mlb/reds/ Also follow @jefffcarr and @soffenbaker on Twitter JOIN THE DISCORD SERVER: https://discord.gg/STMcRDyMCt KYLE SCHWARBER EVENT IN MIDDLETOWN: https://cityofmiddletown.org/724/Beyond-the-Field-with-Kyle-Schwarber For your next listen, check out the Locked On MLB podcast. Get Sully’s take on MLB! He has it all covered every single day. Click HERE to listen now. Part of the Locked On Podcast Network. Your Team. Every Day. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! PrizePicks Download the PrizePicks app today and use code LOCKEDONMLB to get $50 in lineups after you play your first $5 lineup.PrizePicks — Run Your Game.Click Link Here: https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/LOCKEDONMLB Gametime Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONMLB for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Download Gametime today. What time is it? Gametime. FanDuel Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Football season is around the corner, visit the FanDuel App today and start planning your futures bets now. FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) #Reds #CincinnatiReds #MLB Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.