If you thought last year’s Cincinnati Reds were bad and cheap, wait until you see their 2023 team.
It’s not necessarily worse from a names standpoint, but it doesn’t look much better either.
And, of course, there is the payroll situation if you wanted to see where the franchise is going.
“27.75% decrease in payroll, the largest in MLB,” analyst Jon Becker tweeted while quoting another tweet saying that the organization is probably done with the roster.
27.75% decrease in payroll, the largest in MLB https://t.co/BDAneqpCnV
— Jon Becker (@jonbecker_) January 23, 2023
Since the end of the World Series, the Red have traded for Kevin Newman, Casey Legumina and Nick Solak and signed free agents Wil Myers, Luke Weaver, Curt Casali and Luke Maile.
Some of those players have upside, but those aren’t the moves of a team trying to compete for the divisional crown or even the Wild Card.
The Reds’ payroll is still under $100 million, and is projected to be the lowest number on Opening Day since 2017.
Reds fans deserve better than this.
They actually were in contention for a playoff spot well into the second half of the 2021 season.
After they failed to make it, the Castellinis decided to tear things down and start over.
It has been a particularly painful process.
Last year, they started with a horrible 3-22 record.
Let that sink in and think about how many professional teams in any major sport have been that bad as of late.
They shared last place of the NL Central division with the equally cheap Pittsburgh Pirates, with a 62-100 record.
Fans find themselves asking when will this treatment end.
They deserve much better owners.
NEXT: Ken Rosenthal Roasts Reds Ownership