The Cincinnati Reds enter the final week of the regular season as one of three clubs battling for a National League wild-card spot. With Terry Francona at the helm, the Reds appear positioned to compete for the playoffs well into the future, though the front office will likely need to bolster the roster through free agency.
A primary area of concern is the bullpen, which is expected to be the team’s main focus this offseason. Cincinnati already has a reliable starting rotation and a solid group of position players to build around.
The New York Yankees are expected to let reliever Devin Williams test free agency after a disappointing season, but what may seem like a loss for one club could prove to be a valuable pickup for another.
While the Cincinnati Reds aren’t known for lavish spending, a calculated move such as taking a chance on Williams at a discounted value could pay off. His familiarity with NL Central lineups from his years with the Milwaukee Brewers only adds to the potential upside.
Williams struggled in 2025, posting a 5.03 ERA over 59 innings, but he still recorded 88 strikeouts and 18 saves. Despite the inconsistency, Cincinnati could be the team willing to gamble on his rebound potential.
This will be a storyline to monitor throughout the offseason as the Reds’ front office faces key decisions that could shape their chances heading into 2026.