The Reds report to spring training with the playoffs on their minds

GOODYEAR, Ariz. –– When Cincinnati Reds outfielder Spencer Steer turned the corner to walk into the team’s spring training clubhouse for the first time this year, he looked up and saw outfielder TJ Friedl. As soon as they made eye contact, Steer took off and jumped into Friedl’s arms as a part of a big hug.

The first day of spring training is usually full of paperwork, physicals and awkward introductions. In most cases, just the pitchers and catchers report on pitchers and catchers report day. But on Tuesday at the Reds’ complex in Goodyear, Arizona, nearly the entire team was there.

The band was back together.

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“You can feel the energy as soon as you walk into the locker room,” Reds second baseman Matt McLain said. “The goal is to be the best possible team that we can be, to go out there and build throughout the season.”

Then he cracked a big smile and added, “And into the playoffs.”

On what’s usually a dull day on the calendar, Elly De La Cruz and Jonathan India were fielding ground balls, turning double plays and giving each other feedback. Starting pitcher Hunter Greene struck up a conversation with a strength coach about how excited he was to see everyone. Reds President of baseball Nick Krall said, “It’s been amazing how many guys have reported to camp already.”

They’ve been talking about this day since Sept. 30, when the Reds lost to the St. Louis Cardinals and got eliminated from playoff contention. Ever since the Reds came up two games short of a Wild Card spot in 2023, the players have been thinking about and talking about what it will take to make the playoffs.

Last season was about the Reds’ young core arriving in MLB and showing what it’s capable of. This season is about making it into the playoffs.

“That’s the way it should be, and that’s the way we see it,” Reds manager David Bell said. “The long-term vision and the ultimate goal are very important. It’s very important to know what we’re shooting for. A lot was built last year, and we want to continue to build on that. In a lot of ways, that starts all over again. Today is Day One.”

Bell made a big change last year to make spring training more intense. He changed the schedule, had the pitchers throw more in games, had the position players work more on defense and baserunning and had everyone run more sprints. As the Reds exceeded expectations during the season, they looked back on that approach as a turning point where the Reds developed winning habits.

That process has started all over again in 2024. This time, the Reds are talking about how the grind of spring training can lead them to a playoff berth.

“That’s what it’s about, right?” Greene said. “That’s why we work in the offseason. That’s why we make all the sacrifices we make. That’s why we’re some of the best players in the world. Because we have those expectations.”

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The competition for roster spots and every day roles is ratcheting the intensity level up another gear, according to multiple players. The Reds have 11 potential every day starting position players, eight potential impact starting pitchers and 10 experienced relievers.

Krall said that a few pitchers who performed well last year won’t make the Opening Day roster due to the numbers game on the roster. Position players who would have been good enough to start every game and hit cleanup for the Reds last April will have to earn roles and spots in the order this spring.

“The competition with the younger players has also set the tone,” Krall said. “It’s like, ‘Hey I’ve got to come in and be ready. I’m here to win a spot. Nothing’s guaranteed.’ I think a lot of guys have taken that seriously. I’ve been here for two days now, and it’s been fun to watch these guys come in and be ready to go.”

The Reds’ front office also set the tone by spending more than $100 million on free agent additions. The Reds are banking on the development of their young core, but they raised the floor of the team by adding Jeimer Candelario, Frankie Montas, Nick Martinez, Emilio Pagán and Brent Suter.

They’re the new guys in the clubhouse this spring, but the front office prioritized adding free agents who would fit the culture that the Reds have in place.

“Having everybody back basically that was in the core guys, it helps a lot,” Reds starting pitcher Graham Ashcraft said. “We already have the structure of what we need to do and how we like to do things. You just roll with that. Guys either accept it or don’t. The guys that don’t accept it fall off the wagon. The guys that do, run with it. The guys we’ve had come up or come in from other teams, that’s what they’ve done. They’ve taken it and run with it.”

Greene said that during a conversation with Krall, they discussed how Greene’s role in the clubhouse has changed in a short time.

“I wouldn’t call myself a veteran, but I am in this clubhouse,” Greene said. “So are Graham (Ashcraft), Nick (Lodolo), India and (Tyler) Stephenson. Those guys have stepped up and paved the way.”

That group has already led an incredible turnaround as a 100-loss team nearly made it into the postseason. Last year, the Reds almost became the third team in MLB history to go from 100 losses to the playoffs.

The next step to take after that is pretty clear to everyone in the clubhouse, everyone in Cincinnati and everyone around baseball.

“Potential, it is what it is,” McLain said. “We’ve got to make something of it. We made a good start. But the best is yet to come.”

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: The Reds report to spring training with the playoffs on their minds