The Cincinnati Reds are walking a tightrope with their pitching depth as they head into the 2025 season. While they boast a plethora of arms, elbow soreness for Rhett Lowder and shoulder recovery for Andrew Abbott has raised concerns. Abbott remains optimistic, stating he’s ready to log innings but will be eased into camp. Manager Terry Francona is taking a cautious approach, prioritizing Abbott's health over haste, potentially impacting the rotation.

Despite being projected as a secure member of the rotation, Abbott's status is uncertain, with some outlets suggesting rookie Lowder could supplant him. This dynamic could affect the Reds' trade strategy, particularly in their search for a power-hitting outfielder, raising the question of how aggressively they will pursue trades given the fragility of their starters.

The Cincinnati Reds are aiming for a significant turnaround following a lackluster 77-win season, as they prepare for the upcoming MLB campaign. The team's opening day lineup includes notable players like Matt McLain at second base, Elly De La Cruz at shortstop, and Gavin Lux, who is set to start at third base despite limited experience in that position. The starting rotation will feature Hunter Greene, Brady Singer, Nick Martinez, Nick Lodolo, and Rhett Lowder, who is recovering from an injury but earned a rotation spot over Andrew Abbott, despite Abbott's solid performance in his previous two seasons.

FanGraphs has unveiled its projections for the Cincinnati Reds in 2025, suggesting the team is likely to hover around a .500 win-loss record. Elly De La Cruz is expected to be the standout performer, projected to achieve an fWAR of 5.0 with a batting line of .263/.335/.472, including 25 home runs and 54 stolen bases. Matt McLain, returning from shoulder surgery, is anticipated to be the second-best player with an fWAR of 4.0 and a batting average of .254.

While the catching duo of Tyler Stephenson and Jose Trevino is projected to contribute significantly with a combined fWAR of 3.6, the overall lineup is seen as underwhelming. The third base position, manned by Noelvi Marte, Santiago Espinal, and Jeimer Candelario, is forecasted to have the lowest fWAR on the team at just 0.7. On the pitching front, Hunter Greene is projected to maintain a solid performance, with a record of 8-7 and a 3.62 ERA.

However, the Reds' bullpen is viewed negatively, with a combined fWAR of -0.3, highlighting a need for improvement. The projections echo fan sentiments, indicating the necessity for the Reds to bolster their roster if they aim to contend effectively in 2025.