SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — With front office execs from almost all of the 29 other clubs and definitely one from each of his National League Central rivals gathered in the same ballroom this past week, Cincinnati president of baseball operations Dick Williams surveyed the group and grinned as he considered the Reds’ position entering this offseason.

“I’m waiting,” he said. “I’m waiting for everybody in the division to announce their rebuilds so that we can have a year.”

LOADING…

Fresh off a sixth consecutive losing season and a fourth-place finish in the NL Central, Cincinnati set off a few sparks of contention this past summer, like flint striking steel before igniting a fire.