Matt’s Take: The best thing for the Reds to do before the break is lose

By Matthew McAdow
HCP columnist

I hate to even put that as the title of this column, as I hate to see the Reds lose, but it is best for them to do so, as they aren’t contending in 2026.  

Before the break and the deadline, it is best for this team to not give any false hope to the front office and for this team to have a definite plan – which is sell. Anyone outside of Burns, Stewart, and De La Cruz, I’d be all ears. And behind the scenes, I may even be all ears on Elly, as he doesn’t want to be here long term.  

As we learned in 2023, the worst thing that happened to this team was the 12 game win streak, as it gave an excuse to the front office to stay at “status quo.” Any expiring contracts over the next two seasons, it’s time for you to leave and it’s time for the young guys to get enough playing time to see what they can display.  

I can’t believe this roster is in last place in the division, but unfortunately, it’s a reality.  

Expectations/Predictions

Spencer Steer gets traded
Eugenio Suarez gets traded
Tyler Stephenson gets traded
Nathaniel Lowe gets traded
Matt McLain stays, but information will leak that he was being shopped
Brady Singer gets traded.

Sell, Sell, Sell….

All-Star Burns and All-Star Stewart

In much deserved fashion, the Reds announced Chase Burns and Sal Stewart both made the National League All-Star Team. Both players are a major part of the Reds' future and both players are determined to be stars for a long time in this league if health stays on their side.  

Sal Stewart has a very good chance of winning the National League Rookie of the Year and Chase Burns is still in the running for the Cy Young Award. Burns sits at 10 wins and 1 loss with a 2.40 ERA, 116 strikeouts, and 97 innings pitched – all of which lead the Reds.  

Stewart deserves an extension now and has been the best Reds player for the entire season, especially with Elly having an injury for a few weeks. At just 22 years young, he is putting on a very good case to be rookie of the year and is battling it out with JJ Wetherholt and Konnor Griffin.  

Accountability

It’s time for someone to be accountable for yet another poorly formulated roster. I am tired of the money excuses, as other small markets are making it happen. Go look at the Marlins, Brewers, Rays, and Mariners.  

Small markets have to be strategic and Cincinnati has been awful at formulating rosters for my entire life. It’s time for Meador and Krall to be held accountable and it’s time for some new faces in the front office. I don’t trust either of them to get good returns at the deadline and that’s a problem when selling valuable players.  

My generation is tired of losing and watching .500 or under baseball.