In the second year of Terry Francona's leadership, the Cincinnati Reds are primed to continue their development and growth.
As Spring Training kicked off last season, players were already well aware of Francona's impressive track record. Now, as they gather for camp this spring, they have a deeper understanding of both his managerial style and his personality. Francona, entering his sophomore season with the team, has also built relationships with the players, eliminating the need for initial introductions or getting accustomed to each other's roles.
"This doesn’t mean we ease up; quite the opposite is true. It allows us to work more efficiently," Francona remarked on Monday as pitchers and catchers reported for Spring Training. "We should be able to accomplish our tasks in a more streamlined manner. I believe we can explore strategies that we didn’t implement last year, thanks to our established rapport."
The goal is to dive right into the season’s preparations, especially focusing on base running early on.
"I’m very passionate about improving our base running skills, so I want to emphasize that from the start of spring training," explained Francona, who is widely considered a future Hall of Famer with 2,033 career wins, ranking him 12th all-time among managers. "It’s more of a reunion than an introduction at this point. Just walking through the weight room earlier, I was embracing players and relishing the familiar atmosphere. That’s a wonderful feeling."
Francona was brought on board shortly after the conclusion of the 2024 season to take over from David Bell, and under his guidance, the Reds achieved an 83-79 record, clinching the final National League Wild Card spot on the very last day of the regular season.
Unfortunately, their playoff run was cut short as they faced the Dodgers and were eliminated in a two-game sweep during the Wild Card Series.
"I want the players to hold onto the memory of celebrating with champagne, and I also want them to reflect on how it felt just four days later when they were sent home earlier than they anticipated," stated Francona. "It’s vital for them to learn from both the highs and lows of those experiences. Regardless of what happens, our duty is to gain insights and improve—whether the outcomes are positive or negative."
Many players, including those whose reporting dates are later, arrived at camp ahead of schedule. Starting pitcher Andrew Abbott expressed confidence that Francona would feel even more at ease in his second year.
"The learning curve has been eliminated," Abbott shared. "He’s observed our playing style and gotten to know each individual in this clubhouse. He’s seen us handle tough situations, as well as moments of triumph. Throughout his career, he’s shown a remarkable ability to read the team’s dynamics and make decisions that benefit everyone, which is a significant part of his success."
Upon finalizing his hiring, Francona reached out to team owner Bob Castellini to express his gratitude.
"I was leaving Tucson, Arizona, and telling Nick Krall, our president of baseball operations, 'I’m going to get up and run to Goodyear.' Then my phone started ringing—everyone was so excited about the news."
This season, Francona is focused on solidifying the batting order. With a strong presence in the middle of the lineup, he noted that it usually enhances the performance of players hitting before and after that position. "Last year, we were constantly shifting players around trying to support Elly De La Cruz while managing younger talent, which posed challenges. This year, we need to establish clearer roles to avoid drawing attention from opposing teams."
With the cleanup position now settled, Francona’s next challenge is determining who will bat second, right after TJ Friedl and just ahead of De La Cruz.
"That’s my primary concern at the moment; we need someone to effectively separate Elly and TJ, ideally a right-handed hitter. I initially considered Noelvi Marte, but he struggled against lefties. We still have some decisions to make since we haven’t played any games yet."
Another critical decision looms regarding the fifth starter in the rotation, with promising young pitchers like Rhett Lowder, Chase Burns, Brandon Williamson, and Julian Aguiar vying for the position.
"Francona brings a unique talent for instilling confidence in players, regardless of the circumstances," Abbott noted. "His familiarity with the team means he won’t waste time learning our dynamics. Instead, we can hit the ground running and build upon last year’s foundation. Everyone seems eager to embrace this opportunity."
