Cincinnati Reds expect to make more moves before the start of spring training

If the start of the 3,500-mile, three-day caravan was any indication, the Cincinnati Reds aren’t worried about increased expectations for the 2020 season.

The Reds know there will be more pressure to make the playoffs for the first time since 2013. That’s what happens when a team commits $100 million to free agents and hasn’t hesitated to trade from its farm system in recent years.

“You can tell that this team and this organization is wanting to win right now," said Mike Moustakas, who signed a four-year, $64 million contract in December. "You go out and get Wade (Miley), it’s awesome. It’s going to be a lot of fun. I played with him in Milwaukee. We’re going to have a good time. You can just tell the excitement around this team and how much we’re trying to go out there and win.”

Dick Williams, the Reds’ president of baseball operations, said he’s “pretty sure” the Reds will have more changes to their roster before the start of spring training. He hasn’t noticed any changes in trade talks after Josh Donaldson agreed to a four-year deal with the Minnesota Twins on Tuesday, but the signing may spur more activity around free-agent outfielders Marcell Ozuna and Nicholas Castellanos.

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The Reds are one of the teams interested in free-agent utility player Brock Holt, a source told The Enquirer. Holt played every position last season except pitcher, catcher and center field. In 87 games with the Boston Red Sox, he had a .297 batting average, .369 on-base percentage, 14 doubles, three homers and 31 RBI. He missed time with an eye injury and a shoulder injury.

Holt, a 31-year-old left-handed hitter, fits the Reds’ need for high on-base percentage hitters and he could be a reliable defender in a backup role. The club’s top backup shortstop, behind starter Freddy Galvis, is probably Alex Blandino unless they played Eugenio Suárez out of position.

The Reds remain active in their search for an offensive upgrade at shortstop, but the Cleveland Indians seem content to hold onto Francisco Lindor unless a team meets their high asking price. The Los Angeles Dodgers likely would want to add a star player before trading Corey Seager.

Business will continue as the front office staff separates during the caravan. One year ago, the Reds reached an agreement with the New York Yankees on a trade for Sonny Gray. They were granted a 72-hour window to negotiate a contract extension, which was needed to complete the deal.

“I will definitely pick my seat on the bus in such a way that I’ll have privacy in case discussions should occur,” said Williams, drawing laughs. “I’ve done everything from the bathroom to having the bus pull over, to having them turn up the music. Anything to get a little privacy when I need to.”

The Reds have room in their payroll to make more moves, but they feel confident they could compete for a division title with their current roster. It’s been a relatively quiet offseason for the other four teams in the division.

“As players too, we get just as excited about the hot stove and all the moves and trades and whatnot as the fans do,” pitcher Lucas Sims said. “It’s exciting for us. We’re definitely looking forward to hopefully a nice, successful, winning 2020 season.”

Despite a 75-87 record last year, manager David Bell said the club made some necessary strides. They learned where they needed to improve.

“There’s a lot of excitement about our team,” Bell said. “I think that grew a little bit over the course of last year and I don't want to fool anyone into thinking that's what we set out to do with the results, but I think we built some excitement and some momentum.

“Making the additions that we did, the work that the front office has done, it's easier to talk about. It's easier to look at our team and realistically see that we should have the highest of expectations.”