The chasm between MLB’s elite and its underclass has never been greater. Sustained success can be difficult in a cyclical sport where title windows open and shut, seemingly at a moment’s notice. For instance, the Cubs and Astros, after years spent stockpiling homegrown talent, eventually rose from the ashes, culminating in world championships in 2016 and 2017, respectively.
Unfortunately, complacency has become all too common in MLB, with a concerning number of teams settling for inferior products under the guise of “shedding payroll.” Even with measures in place to prevent tanking—namely a draft lottery and expanded postseason—the Reds seem intent on punting their season away, falling to a dismal 3-22 with Thursday’s loss to Milwaukee. Rather than compete with deep-pocketed clubs like the Dodgers and Yankees, Cincinnati has gone the opposite route, not even bothering to field a competitive roster.
Teams, even lousy ones, can turn a profit, raking in dollars from television contracts, naming rights deals and revenue sharing. In that sense, whatever the Reds make from ticket sales, concessions and merchandise is all gravy. Doing the bare minimum may keep the lights on at Great American Ballpark, but it does little to benefit fans, who deserve better than Cincinnati’s abysmal 6.90 ERA, two runs worse than any other team in baseball.
Jeff Passan of ESPN lamented the Reds’ disastrous start, calling the debacle “tanking at its absolute ugliest.”
None of this bodes well for a struggling sport some would characterize as unwatchable, bogged down by constant pitching changes, a contact epidemic and anonymous stars unfamiliar to most casual fans. Still recovering from a labor crisis that lasted months longer than it probably should have, how are fans supposed to feel when the Reds put out a lineup like this? No wonder they have bags over their heads.
The Reds certainly aren’t the first team to stumble out of the gate, though this feels much bleaker than your run-of-the-mill rough patch. Perhaps this will all be forgotten in a few years if the Reds draft wisely and build through the minor leagues. But right now, it feels pretty hopeless.
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