The Cincinnati Reds haven’t made any big moves in free agency.
A major reason that you might not think of? TV.
Specifically, the television deal the Reds currently don’t have to broadcast their games in the season ahead.
“As nine teams await resolution on their local television plans for 2026, the lingering uncertainty is affecting the free-agent pursuits of at least one of those clubs, the Cincinnati Reds, according to people briefed on the team’s plans,” The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon wrote on Friday. “Third baseman Eugenio Suárez and outfielder Austin Hays are among the free agents drawing the Reds’ interest, those people said. But the Reds feel they are not in position to move forward until they gain more clarity on their long-term local TV outlook.”
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A missed-payment situation has set up uncertainty about local broadcasts for 2026.
“The nine teams set to be carried by Main Street Sports Group cancelled their deals earlier this month after the company missed scheduled rights-fee payments,” The Athletic wrote. “Main Street has made revised offers to the clubs, contingent on the company finding a buyer. Otherwise, the teams could end up under Major League Baseball’s broadcasting arm. For the Reds, the problem is that the longer they wait on their preferred free agents, the greater the chances those players will sign with other clubs. The Los Angeles Angels appear to be in a similar position, hamstrung as the Main Street negotiations continue.”
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It’s certainly not ideal timing.
The Reds did throw their hat in the Kyle Schwarber ring early in the offseason to attempt to bring him back close to home, but the slugger opted to stay with the Phillies.
Since then, Cincinnati hasn’t been rumored to have heavy involvement in any major free agents.
At this rate, they’ll mostly have to run it back with the team they’ve got, along with their free agent signing of outfielder JJ Bleday. Whether that’s enough will only be determined once they’re back on the field.
