It's way-too-early prediction season, as we await the flurry of action the hot stove is sure to provide, and Cincinnati Reds fans won't be happy with one outlet's forecast for the 2026 season.
Bleacher Report's prediction for the 2026 National League Central standings look like a disappointment, with the Reds finishing in third place at 85-77 and missing out on the playoffs. In that, they raise an important question: Will Cincinnati bring in a legitimate bat to build off of 2025's progress?
The Reds will have to address the lineup somehow, but the quality of the bat they bring in will greatly determine if their real 2026 outlook is as Bleacher Report predicts, more or less stagnant, or if this young team is ready to take the next step forward.