The Cincinnati Reds are currently in a unique situation regarding their third base position for the upcoming 2025 season. Manager Terry Francona has confirmed that three players—Gavin Lux, Jeimer Candelario, and Santiago Espinal—are vying for playing time, leading to a potential rotation strategy. This dilemma follows a dismal performance from the position last season, making their collective improvement crucial.

Gavin Lux, a left-handed hitter, has shown promise in recent games, securing his spot in the mix for regular-season at-bats. Francona noted Lux's impressive adaptation, hinting at his versatility as he may also see action in left field. Meanwhile, Candelario's defensive skills and offensive potential keep him in the conversation, especially as he rotates through different positions, including first base and designated hitter. Espinal also stands out, expected to contribute in various roles, thus offering depth to the roster.

The Cincinnati Reds kicked off their Spring Training schedule with a 5-2 loss to the San Francisco Giants, a matchup that foreshadows their Opening Day clash on March 27. Despite the defeat, Santiago Espinal's smart base running on a balk and Noelvi Marte's sacrifice fly highlighted moments of potential from the Reds' lineup. Marte's fly brought in a run after Rece Hinds' impressive triple, showcasing his ongoing bid for a roster spot after a promising debut last season.

Cam Collier, another prospect aiming for the Opening Day roster, made an impression with a double in his first at-bat, suggesting he could play a significant role this spring. Nick Martinez impressed on the mound, throwing two scoreless innings and striking out three. The Reds are set to face the reigning World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers next, with Carson Spiers slated to start.

On the first day of full workouts, new Cincinnati Reds manager Terry Francona inspired his players with a rousing speech, igniting excitement for the upcoming season. The players expressed high praise for Francona's ability to energize the team, emphasizing trust in his leadership, with ace Hunter Greene stating, "His presence is great. He commands the room." Santiago Espinal referred to him as a "legend," while Jeimer Candelario expressed confidence in Francona's experience and ability to guide the team to success.

As the Reds prepare for spring training games, the players are eager to translate Francona's motivational message into on-field performance. With a blend of excitement and determination, the squad appears ready to embrace the new season under Francona's leadership.

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.