Locked On Reds - Daily Podcast On The Cincinnati Reds

Are the Cincinnati Reds on the verge of a blockbuster trade for Luis Robert? Jeff and Jeff break down rising rumors from both national and local sources, debating whether Robert’s star potential outweighs concerns about his injury history and recent decline at the plate. With the Pittsburgh Pirates stealing offseason headlines and NL Central rivals retooling, time is running out for the Reds to upgrade their lineup and capitalize o...

Cincinnati Reds heat up the Hot Stove by reigniting trade talks for Chicago White Sox star Luis Robert Jr.—but is this blockbuster deal finally within reach? Jeff and Steve weigh the latest rumors, dissecting negotiation strategies, prospect packages involving Chase Petty and Christian Encarnacion-Strand, and whether Nick Krall’s front office is feeling the pressure to boost the lineup before 2026. They debate what Robert Jr. still...

Reggie Sanders finally secures his long-overdue spot in the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame, joining a powerhouse class featuring Brandon Phillips, Aaron Harang, and Lou Piniella. Steve and Jeff break down why this class stands out, spotlighting Sanders' impressive eight-season run, Phillips’ defensive wizardry and lineup versatility, and Harang’s steady dominance during a pitching drought. Piniella’s legacy as the last manager to lea...

Cincinnati Reds eye a bold reunion as Nick Castellanos becomes available, with the Philadelphia Phillies ready to pay most of his contract just to move on. Could a Great American Ballpark power boost offset his defensive shortcomings, and is this the kind of low-risk, high-reward move Nick Krall should target this offseason? Hosts Jeff and Steve debate Castellanos’ fit as a designated hitter, discuss creative ways to fortify the Re...

Cincinnati Reds strengthen their bullpen by landing lefty specialist Caleb Ferguson—does this move finally plug a crucial roster hole? Jeff breaks down Ferguson’s elite barrel-missing ability, his four-pitch mix, and how his addition instantly relieves pressure on Sam Moll and the Reds bullpen. With Ferguson holding left-handed hitters to a .184 average and capably stranding inherited runners, the Reds’ late-game options just got a...

Cincinnati Reds weigh a potential reunion with Eugenio Suarez, sparking debate over lineup upgrades and off-season priorities. Will Suarez's power bat transform Great American Ball Park next season, or is his declining production too risky? Jeff and Steve break down Suarez’s value, the front office’s cautious spending, and frustrations surrounding missed signings like Kyle Schwarber. The hosts also examine alternatives including Ry...

Cincinnati Reds and Pittsburgh Pirates mirror each other’s offseason frustrations, leaving fans questioning front-office ambition. Can either team turn a quiet winter into a playoff surge? Jeff and Gary Morgan compare limited spending, missed opportunities for power bats like Kyle Schwarber and Cody Bellinger, and inconsistent roster strategies. Is salvaging the hot stove still possible—or are both franchises headed for another yea...

Cincinnati Reds chase a true upgrade in center field, but are current trade rumors just more of the same? Steve and Jeff break down the Reds’ reported interest in Houston Astros’ Jake Meyers, examining whether his glove-first profile actually improves the outfield—or if the front office is falling back on old habits. The hosts compare Meyers to existing players like TJ Friedl and question if pursuing a light-hitting center fielder ...

Cincinnati Reds' outfield puzzle intensifies as trade rumors swirl and Matt McLain’s position comes into question. Should the Reds move McLain to center field to clear a spot for a potential acquisition like Ketel Marte or Brandon Lowe, or will this create an even lighter-hitting outfield next to TJ Friedl and Noelvi Marte? Steve and Jeff vigorously debate the Reds’ reluctance to move Elly De La Cruz, the wisdom of chasing big trad...

Cincinnati Reds suffer a crushing setback as Kyle Schwarber re-signs with the Philadelphia Phillies, shattering hopes for a transformative offseason splash. Can the Reds recover from this missed opportunity, or is the Castellini ownership blocking any real path to contention?

Jeff and Steve break down the front office’s record offer, the implications of Nick Krall’s “draft and develop” stance, and the realities of small-market econ...

BONUS: Cincinnati Reds pass on hometown slugger Kyle Schwarber, raising questions about front office ambition and the team's path forward. Is Cincinnati destined for mediocrity, or can ownership shake its small-market mentality to build a contender?

Jeff reacts to Schwarber’s blockbuster five-year, $150 million deal with the Philadelphia Phillies, breaking down why the Reds' refusal to match his financial demands could signal more ...

Cincinnati Reds face off with the Pittsburgh Pirates in a dramatic bidding war for slugger Kyle Schwarber, sparking questions about whether Cincinnati can finally land a star without overpaying. With Pittsburgh reportedly offering over $100 million, the Reds must decide if giving Schwarber a fifth year is worth the risk. Will hometown ties and a hitter-friendly ballpark be enough to seal the deal?

Jeff Carr is joined by fellow Cinc...

Cincinnati Reds are at the center of MLB free agency chaos as national media root for the Reds to sign slugger Kyle Schwarber. Would adding Schwarber spark a domino effect across top teams like the Phillies, Yankees, and Dodgers? Jeff and Steve spotlight potential contract records, offer insider predictions, and debate the 30% chance Cincinnati lets the budget "blow open" for Schwarber’s bat.

Key discussion points include Hunter Gr...

Cincinnati Reds fans are buzzing as the Kyle Schwarber-to-Cincinnati rumors reach a fever pitch, but does the local Middletown connection overshadow the real issues of roster construction and payroll? Jeff and Mo Egger debate whether adding Schwarber addresses the Reds’ biggest need—a power bat capable of transforming the lineup—and if ownership is finally ready to make a marquee move instead of settling for budget signings.

Key to...

Cincinnati Reds fortify their bullpen by re-signing Emilio Pagán to a two-year deal, setting the stage for a more confident late-inning strategy. Is Pagán ready to assume the Opening Day closer role—and could Tony Santillan step up if needed? Jeff spotlights Pagán’s standout 2025 performance, his consistency on the mound, and the value he brings at a relative hometown discount. The conversation explores WAR comparisons, save totals...

Cincinnati Reds fans are buzzing as three outfielders—Jarren Duran, Byron Buxton, and Luis Robert Jr.—emerge as potential trade targets, but only Duran stands out as the true difference-maker. Could Duran’s blend of youth, production, and favorable contract finally bring stability to the Reds’ outfield and propel them to contention?

Jeff breaks down each candidate’s fit for the Cincinnati Reds and weighs the realistic cost of a dea...

Cincinnati Reds chase the offseason spotlight as rumors swirl around hometown slugger Kyle Schwarber. Could this be the blockbuster move that transforms the Reds’ lineup and electrifies Great American Ball Park? Jeff breaks down the financial hurdles, insider reports, and why Schwarber’s power bat is the perfect fit, offering lineup protection for Elly De La Cruz and a surge in team offense.

Key discussion points include the Reds’ ...

The Cincinnati Reds aren't going to trade Ke'Bryan Hayes. Can elite glove work alone power a postseason run, or does the lineup desperately need more firepower? Jeff and Tim Daniel debate the Reds’ offseason priorities, dissecting Hayes’ value, the impact on Elly De La Cruz, and the ripple effects of sacrificing bats for glove supremacy.

Gavin Lux’s puzzling role, Matt McLain’s comeback potential, and the ongoing search for a true ...