Teoscar Hernández Won’t Be the Answer to Cincinnati’s Offensive Needs

When the Cincinnati Reds brought in Terry Francona—yes, that Terry Francona—early in the offseason, the move sent ripples through the baseball world. A manager with his résumé doesn’t just come out of retirement for fun Matt Reynolds Jersey, especially not to take over a team that’s been notoriously cautious with spending. Surely, many thought, this meant the Reds were finally serious about contending. Their early move to sign Nick Martinez to a deal north of $21 million hinted at just that. But as the offseason dragged on, it’s become increasingly apparent that splashy free-agent signings might not be part of the plan. If the Reds are going to improve from here, it may have to come via the trade market—and that means parting with some of their prized prospects. One name that definitely won’t be suiting up in Cincinnati: Teoscar Hernández Rob Dibble Jersey. The slugger, who launched 33 homers for the 2024 champion Dodgers, just inked a 3-year, $66 million deal to stay in L.A.—a team that’s made it clear they’re ready to open the vault to chase another ring. After missing out on Juan Soto (who ended up with the Mets), the Dodgers turned to Hernández, and it always felt like he was headed back to the West Coast anyway. For Reds fans, this isn’t necessarily bad news. Hernández was never a realistic target. Still, every time a power bat signs elsewhere, it shrinks the already-thin pool of offensive upgrades. That, in turn, drives up the cost for anyone left on the market—a market the Reds are clearly hesitant to dive into. That’s why the latest rumors connecting Cincinnati to Nick Pivetta are interesting. According to Jon Heyman’s latest update, the Reds are reportedly “in on” Pivetta. While that might seem odd on the surface—starting pitching isn’t exactly their biggest need—it may point to a larger plan. If the Reds are looking to trade one of their young arms for a big bat, they’ll need a replacement. Pivetta, a free agent with some upside, could be just that. There’s still time for GM Nick Krall to make a few savvy moves and round out this roster. There’s also still time for fans to brace themselves for spring training headlines about a potential Jake Fraley–Mark Canha platoon in left field. The offseason isn’t over yet, but the Reds' window to act is narrowing. If they want to support Francona’s return with a truly competitive roster, they’ll need to move fast—and maybe get creative.