Roster top of mind as Reds Caravan begins

DAYTON, Ohio -- With around 200 free agents still out there with Spring Training just over three weeks away, could prices be dropping and the market falling into the Reds' favor?

President of baseball operations Nick Krall wouldn't give away a whole lot when asked during the first Reds Caravan stop of the week at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force on Saturday.

“I wouldn’t say the market is falling back or not falling back," Krall replied to MLB.com. "We’re just trying to work through it and see how we can better our club and just continue to look for players that can help us in 2025 and beyond.”

The Reds have made acquisitions that boosted their rotation with Nick Martinez and Brady Singer, added backup catching in Jose Trevino and lengthened the lineup with infielder Gavin Lux. But the bigger offensive boost that the club has sought has yet to happen.

A recent development came last week when the Reds decided to return to FanDuel Sports Ohio for their local television rights, instead of having games produced and distributed by MLB.

It meant more money for the club, and potentially, to the payroll for more transactions. However, that probably won't be enough to help Cincinnati sign one of the available top-tier free agents.

“It gives us a little bit of extra money, not a ton," said Krall, who appeared with outfielder Stuart Fairchild and prospects Sammy Stafura, Chase Petty and Nestor Lorant.

If the Reds end up standing pat the rest of the offseason, Krall felt positive about the roster he has.

“I think we’ve got really good players on this team, really good players that we’re bringing to Spring Training," he said. "I’m really excited about where we are with some of the young players taking steps forward. I do think we can add but if we don’t add, I feel good about the group we have. We’re always going to look to figure out how to get better.”

During the fan Q&A portion of the caravan stop, a young boy asked the second question and it was directed at Krall about why the team traded away Jonathan India (which brought Singer back from the Royals). The crowd groaned and Krall praised India during his answer.

Mixing it up with the fans is part of the experience that makes the caravan enjoyable.

“I love the caravan, first off," Krall said before the event. "I like the bus. I like the camaraderie on the bus. The players and staff -- we have a really good time. I think getting to go to different stops and seeing different people and being excited about the organization and what we’re doing is a lot of fun. This is one of my favorite things to do all year.”

On Sunday, the caravan moved to Indiana with stops that included Indianapolis and Lawrenceburg with closer Alexis Díaz, pitching coach Derek Johnson, general manager Brad Meador, catching coordinator Corky Miller and Stafura, Petty and Norant.

“It’s been really fun being able to enjoy and see all these Reds fans out there," Díaz said via translator Jorge Merlos. "They’ve always been good to me and I’ve been good to them too. It’s just to see them out here and I’ve enjoyed spending this time with them. They are my favorite fans to be around.”

For both Díaz and Johnson, it was their first time taking part on a caravan tour.

“It’s cool," Johnson said. "I remember as a kid going to different things. The Cardinals caravan came through the place where I’m from and the Cubs caravan. I got a chance to see those when I was younger and they’re similar. Little kids want to come and see their favorite players. They want to listen to the people talk. It gives us a chance to interact with fans who are really interested in the Reds and what we’re doing.”