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.