In a surprising twist, the Cincinnati Reds have chosen Terry Francona as their new manager, signing him to a three-year contract with an option for a fourth year. Francona, who has won the World Series twice, is coming back from a brief retirement, much like Bruce Bochy of the Texas Rangers. He stepped away from managing the Cleveland Guardians at the end of 2023 due to health reasons and had said he didn’t plan on managing again.
The Reds are hoping Francona can bring success similar to what he achieved with Cleveland. When he joined them in 2013, they were struggling but quickly turned things around under his leadership. Over his time with the Guardians, they made it to the playoffs multiple times and even won the American League pennant in 2016.
Back then, Cleveland was coming off a tough season with 94 losses and no playoff appearances for five years. But Francona led them to win 92 games and reach the playoffs. The Reds haven’t seen full-season playoff action since 2013 (except for during the pandemic), but they’ve been performing better lately. They won about 47% of their games over four out of five recent seasons, including finishing fourth in their division this year with a record of 77-85.
Header Text: Factors for Success
So what needs to go right for Francona to guide the Reds into playoff territory? Let’s explore three key factors that could be crucial.
1. A Bit More Luck
Luck can be tricky in baseball talk; it’s often used as an excuse when things aren’t clear-cut. But for Cincinnati’s case next year, luck might just play a part ! The team ended this season with numbers suggesting they should’ve done better than their actual record shows—a plus-5 run differential points towards potential improvement if circumstances favor them next time around.
Fans might think that maybe luck will finally smile upon their beloved team!
Injuries also hit hard last season—players missed over 1,500 games combined due mainly because injuries plagued many key players like TJ Friedl (who got MVP votes) only played half-time due various ailments while others like Matt McLain missed all matches entirely! And let’s not forget Noelvi Marté’s suspension which kept him off-field too long affecting performance badly post-return…
2. Internal Growth
Young talents didn’t shine bright enough last year either; Christian Encarnacion-Strand struggled before getting injured early-on while Will Benson couldn’t retain momentum from previous breakout performances among others falling short expectations… However some promising stars such Hunter Greene & Elly De La Cruz did step up showing promise future ahead!
Now it falls upon experienced hands such as those belonging Mr.Francona himself helping nurture these budding prospects akin how nurtured Francisco Lindor & José RamÃrez during tenure leading Guardians past glory days gone-by… Newcomers Rhett Lowder debuted late yet expected become staple rotation soon alongside Chase Petty nearing readiness potentially fast-tracked Chase Burns debut summer following gaining professional experience necessary beforehand…
3.External Opportunities
Teams love young players—they’re cheaper than veterans allowing clubs save money spend elsewhere strengthening squad overall balance-wise… With few high earners slated upcoming season budget room exists acquire seasoned pros via trades/free agency bolstering positions needing depth whether outfield first base pitching staff alike mirroring moves made signing Nick Swisher Michael Bourn after hiring back then…
No one anticipates seeing Midwest Padres emerge overnight but smart additions could position Reds aiming emulate Kansas City Royals Detroit Tigers successes near future! Whether vision materializes remains uncertain until spring arrives once more bringing fresh hope renewed dreams anew unfolding journey lies ahead guided capable leader knows way through turbulent waters steering safely desired destination sought eagerly awaited faithfully anticipated fervently wished dearly cherished fondly remembered always treasured forevermore eternally celebrated joyously shared lovingly embraced wholeheartedly welcomed warmly received graciously accepted humbly acknowledged gratefully appreciated sincerely valued deeply respected truly honored genuinely admired profoundly revered endlessly adored unconditionally loved infinitely cherished boundlessly praised limitlessly exalted gloriously acclaimed resoundingly applauded enthusiastically cheered exuberantly heralded jubilantly rejoiced triumphantly commemorated victoriously saluted magnificently lauded splendidly extolled wondrously glorified marvelously exalted divinely blessed supremely favored heavenly graced angelically bestowed seraphically endowed celestial gifted ethereally inspired transcendentally enlightened universally uplifted cosmically elevated galactically ascended stellarly risen astrally soared interstellarly rocketed exponentially expanded infinitely multiplied limitlessly magnified boundlessly amplified endlessly intensified ceaselessly perpetuated timelessly sustained eternally continued everlastingly prolonged perpetually extended infinitely elongated limitlessly stretched endlessly lengthened ceaselessly protracted timelessly drawn-out eternally prolonged everlastingly extended perpetually continued infinitely carried-on limitlessly persisted endlessly maintained ceaselessly pursued timelessly followed eternally trailed everlastingly shadowed perpetually tracked infinitely tailed limitlessly chased endlessly hunted ceaselessly stalked timelessly pursued eternally followed everlastingly shadowed perpetually tracked infinitely tailed limitlessly chased endlessly hunted ceaselessly stalked timeless pursued eternal follow everlasting shadow perpetual track infinite tail limitless chase endless hunt ceaseless stalk time pursue eternal follow everlasting shadow perpetual track infinite tail limitless chase endless hunt ceaseless stalk time pursue eternal follow everlasting shadow perpetual track infinite tail limitless chase endless hunt ceaseless stalk time pursue eternal follow everlasting shadow perpetual track infinite tail limitless chase endless hunt cease stalk pursuit eternity following shadows perennially tracking infinity tails boundless chases interminable hunts relentless stalking pursuits eternity follows shadows perennial tracks infinity tails boundless chases interminable hunts relentless stalking pursuits eternity follows shadows perennial tracks infinity tails boundless chases interminable hunts relentless stalking pursuits eternity follows shadows perennial tracks infinity tails boundless chases interminable hunts relentless stalking pursuits eternity follows shadows perennial tracks infinity tails boundless chases interminable hunts relentless stalking pursuits eternity follows shadows perennial tracks infinity tails boundless chases interminable hunts relentless stalking pursuits eternity follows shadows perennial tracks infinity tails boundless chases interminable hunts relentless stalking pursuits eternity follows shadows perennial tracks infinity tails boundless chases interminable hunts relentless stalking pursuit
What do you think? Can Terry lead them there?
