Locked On Reds

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 brings to the table, question if the Reds are chasing an All-Star past his prime, and explore if payroll constraints are signaling desperation or savvy bargaining. The hosts don’t stop there, slamming persistent negativity from the Reds front office about pitching depth despite a stockpile of arms like Hunter Greene, Nick Lodolo, Andrew Abbott, Rhett Lowder, and more. Reds Fest gets a roster boost with appearances from Matt McLain, Chase Burns, and Tyler Stephenson, while Andrew Abbott earns MLB.com recognition. Can these moves energize the fanbase, or will another offseason slip a