The State of the Reds' Starting Rotation

The State of the Reds’ Starting Rotation

By Nate Miller

Photo by Emilee Chinn/Cincinnati Reds

December 9, 2024

DALLAS (Dec. 9) — On the first day of the 2024 Winter Meetings, the Cincinnati Reds addressed their starting rotation going into 2025. On Monday, new manager Terry Francona held court with reporters at the Hilton Anatole in Dallas to discuss various topics. One of them was the Reds’ pitching. At the moment, their starting rotation consists of righties Nick Martinez, Casey Legumina, Rhett Lowder, and Hunter Greene, as well as left-hander Nick Lodolo.

Go Get More

The first question that Francona fielded in his afternoon press conference was what he thought of his starting rotation. “Well, you know, kind of the old adage, if you think you have enough pitchers, go get more,” Francona said. “I think that’s a good thing.”

He then discussed whether he thought the Reds would go after more pitching. “I mean, we did get more,” he replied. “If we get to the end of spring training and if we have to aggravate somebody because we feel like we have too many starters, good for us because I think we’ve all seen when you don’t have enough pitching, that can derail your season. So the idea of going out and getting two guys really, really helps.”

Nick Martinez

Right-hander Nick Martinez was a “swing guy” in 2024 for this team. Francona elaborated on what the Reds’ hopes are for him in regards to their starting rotation next season. “I think we would certainly like for Nick (Martinez) to be one of our five,” he said. “The season has a way of playing itself out, and we don’t need to make the rotation or the batting order now because we don’t know what our team is going to be, but I think we would like it. The way he finished was pretty damn good.”

Quick Hits

Francona was also asked what he thought of Juan Soto‘srecord-breaking deal with the New York Mets. “I was shocked when I saw the bonus,”, he said. “My goodness. Yeah, I wasn’t really — I wasn’t probably following as close as maybe you guys were because I didn’t really think we were going to sign him, so kind of looking at other stuff.”