Until teams begin making noteworthy signings and blockbuster trades, the Major League Baseball offseason is oftentimes littered with speculation and rumors. For the Cincinnati Reds, most of that speculation has centered around how to improve the starting lineup heading into next season.
Unfortunately, the Reds' payroll is unlikely to eclipse last year's $119 million cap. With so many holes in the bullpen, Cincinnati won't be able to fix its lineup through free agency alone, meaning that fans should look for the Reds to make a trade or two in order to bolster the lineup.
We're barely two weeks into the MLB offseason, but some things are already beginning to take shape.