Each MLB team’s season success or failure?
Cincinnati Reds
64-98, 5th in NL Central
It seemed likely entering the season that this would be year the Reds fell completely out of contention with an aging group of key players. That became the reality very quickly, and now Cincinnati is at the very beginning of a lengthy rebuild.
Cincinnati still had a core capable of leading the team to at least a respectable record, headlined by Joey Votto. Votto was again fantastic, posting a 172 wRC+ that ranked tied for second best in the Majors according to FanGraphs.
The problem was a lack of depth behind Votto, Todd Frazier and Johnny Cueto. Cincinnati couldn’t afford any injuries or regression from a few players, and suffered through plenty of both.
Things got off to a bad start when Homer Bailey was lost for the season in April to Tommy John surgery, fresh off signing a $105 million extension. Zack Cosart also suffered a major injury after 53 promising games, while Jay Bruce hit well below his career numbers.
There were at least a couple of positives, as the Reds’ very young pitching staff flashed ability at times. The Reds also got a decent haul for Cueto to help kickstart a rebuild that will likely take a couple of seasons.
Cincinnati will want to unload some veterans this offseason, so players like Arolids Chapman could be on the trading block after a failed season.
Failure. The Reds may have been able to hang around .500 if everything went perfectly right. Everything did not go perfectly right.
Next: Cleveland Indians