Nick Krall Shares Cincinnati Reds Offseason Plans at GM Meetings

Nick Krall walked into the general managers’ meetings in Las Vegas with a clear list of needs and plenty of work to do.

The Cincinnati Reds finished 75-87 and last in the NL Central, 28 games behind the World Series champion Milwaukee Brewers. They scored 666 runs, allowed 826, hit .229 as a team (last in the majors) and posted a 4.83 ERA that ranked 28th. They have holes everywhere.

Krall told reporters what the plan is for the organization this offseason. "We need to add some starting pitching. We have to find a catcher, whether it’s Tyler or a replacement for Tyler. We need to bolster our bullpen. And figure out how we can continue to get better," he said, via Charlie Goldsmith of FOX 19.

The rotation is the most complicated part of the team to address. Hunter Greene underwent a second Tommy John surgery in August and is expected to miss all of 2027.

He made only five starts this year, going 2-2 with a 6.83 ERA before the elbow gave out again. Brady Singer is a free agent after going 6-15 with a 5.85 ERA in his second season in Cincinnati.

Andrew Abbott made 32 starts but finished 6-11 with a 4.61 ERA. Nick Lodolo dealt with recurring blister issues. Rhett Lowder and Brandon Williamson were also underwhelming.

The one bright spot was Chase Burns, who went 15-3 with a 2.86 ERA and 185 strikeouts at 23 years old and made the All-Star team. The Reds need to find at least two reliable starters to build around him.

Catching is another area of concern. Tyler Stephenson became a free agent after seven seasons in Cincinnati. He hit .241 with 15 home runs, 54 RBI and a .727 OPS in 130 games this year. Krall has not ruled out a reunion, but Jose Trevino and Will Banfield are the only internal options if Cincinnati moves in a different direction. That is not going to cut it.

The bullpen also could lose two of its best arms. Emilio Pagan declined his player option after recording 25 saves and a 3.38 ERA. He then signed a one-year deal with the Detroit Tigers. Brock Burke reached free agency after posting a 2.30 ERA across 77 appearances.  It is unclear if the Reds will pay to bring him back.

Cincinnati made the playoffs in 2025 and finished last in the division in 2026. The gap between those two outcomes came down to pitching. Krall knows it. The offseason will show whether he can close it.