Cincinnati Reds Press Clippings October 1, 2018 THIS DAY IN REDS HISTORY 1919-The Reds combine to hit three triples in Game 1 of the World Series against the White Sox, a team postseason record which still stands today MLB.COM Reds' 5 questions heading into 2019 season By Mark Sheldon MLB.com @m_sheldon Sep. 30th, 2018 CINCINNATI -- The Reds thought that 2018 would be the season they would emerge from rebuilding and be closer to contending. Instead, they produced a record of 67-95, a slight step back from 94-loss campaigns they had in both 2016 and '17. A 3-15 start to the season cost manager Bryan Price his job. Interim manager Jim Riggleman took over on April 19 and the team showed improvement. From May until August, Cincinnati was among the best performers in the National League. But the club faded in August and continued to slide down the stretch. "We wanted to take more of a step forward than we did," Reds president of baseball operations Dick Williams said. "We certainly saw, for extended periods of time, the capabilities are there. That only goes so far. This is a six-month season, we need to put it together over the course of six months. We're going to take a hard look at how we get there, how do we get closer next year to where we need to get." As the Reds head into the offseason, here are five questions they face for next year: Who will be the manager? Riggleman is scheduled to interview for the permanent manager's job on Monday after having the opportunity for five months to make his case as the interim skipper. He showed a closer attention to detail and made more aggressive moves in efforts to win games. He had a .500 record through his first 90 games, but after he finished with a 64-80 record, was it enough for him to earn the permanent job? Former Red Sox manager and 2013 World Series winner John Farrell -- now a Reds scout -- is also a top contender for the job. Coaches Pat Kelly, Billy Hatcher and Freddie Benavides have already interviewed. The external candidates are unknown, so far. Williams hopes to have the process wrapped by the end of October. Can the Reds improve their starting pitching? Williams said the Reds are in a position to spend significantly more money this winter on starting pitching -- with acquisitions being possible either via free agents or trades. Cincinnati's rotation ranked near the bottom of the NL in ERA and only Luis Castillo and likely Anthony DeSclafani appear to be locked in for 2019. Matt Harvey will be a free agent and will get consideration after he pitched well for Cincinnati after he was acquired from the Mets in May. But this is a chance for Williams and general manager Nick Krall to think even bigger. Despite a less-than-robust market this winter, it might be tough for the Reds to outbid bigger market clubs for headlining free agents Dallas Keuchel, Patrick Corbin or Clayton Kershaw should he opt out of his deal with the Dodgers. Many others will be available, including Gio Gonzalez, Adam Wainwright, Lance Lynn and Wade Miley. Will Billy Hamilton be moved? The Reds explored trading center fielder Hamilton last winter only to hang on to him and watch him have another disappointing year at the plate. Hamilton, who batted ninth most of the season, still has major value as a premier defensive player, however. But how much is that worth to the Reds and other clubs? He is third-year arbitration eligible this winter and a year away from being a free agent. There will likely be trade speculation once again. When will Nick Senzel be ready? If the Reds were to move on from Hamilton, one potential replacement could be Senzel. The No. 1 prospect in the organization and No. 4 overall, according to MLB Pipeline, Senzel is currently at instructional league learning left field, and his athletic ability would likely enable him to play center field. Senzel was drafted second overall in 2016 as a third baseman, played shortstop in Spring Training and second base for Triple-A Louisville during the season. His 2018 progress was cut short by right index finger surgery and he also missed nearly a month in May because of a bout with vertigo. The club remains confident that Senzel can be in the big leagues next year, and his playing in the outfield could open more options. Will Scooter Gennett get a multi-year contract? Back in mid-July, Gennett revealed to MLB.com that preliminary overtures were made by the club to sign the second baseman to a multi-year contract. There has been no news or movement on a deal since, however. Gennett, who is arbitration-eligible for the third time this winter, has put together back-to-back big offensive seasons and became a first-time All-Star in 2018. The 28-year-old has also established himself as a team and clubhouse leader. After Gennett made $5.7 million this season, what would it take for he and the Reds to extend for beyond 2019? If there is no deal made, would the club try to move him and install Senzel at second base? Add it all up and another intriguing offseason is underway for the Reds. Reds drop final game of season to Bucs Romano pitched five innings, allowing 2 earned runs on 3 hits By Mark Sheldon MLB.com @m_sheldon Sep. 30th, 2018 CINCINNATI -- This was a season when Sal Romano really wanted to establish himself as a Major League starting pitcher. Romano instead wound up being moved to the bullpen last month, but was given a chance to finish 2018 by starting vs. the Pirates. Romano made the most of his opportunity with five strong innings in his first start since Aug. 21. He was not part of the outcome -- a 6-5 Reds loss to Pittsburgh in 10 innings at Great American Ball Park -- that was decided on a Jackson Stephens wild pitch that scored Pablo Reyes in the top of the 10th. With two earned runs and three hits allowed with one walk and one strikeout with 59 pitches overall, Romano mostly cruised through his first four innings as he retired 11 of 13 batters. Through three innings, he had only 28 pitches. "It's just one of those things where I wanted to attack the strike zone," Romano said. "I knew guys were going to be aggressive today. I figured they wouldn't have many strikeouts. I just wanted to get early contact. Guys made the plays behind me." The Reds rotation for 2019 appears wide open for multiple spots. Romano has by no means given up on the idea that he can still be a successful starter. "It was definitely a good taste in my mouth going into the offseason knowing that I am able to start still," he said. "I still feel like in my heart that I can start in this league. Obviously pitching in the bullpen the last month, if I can do both that's something maybe I can do next year to help both ways." For most of the game, Romano stuck with the combination of fastballs and sliders. "I wanted to stay with just what I had been doing out of the bullpen. It was pretty successful," he said. The Reds had a 3-0 lead in the fifth inning when Pittsburgh used a leadoff walk in the fifth by Colin Moran to rally. After Jose Osuna's double, Kevin Kramer's sacrifice fly scored Moran. Romano bounced a 0-2 curveball to Jung Ho Kang for a wild pitch that scored a second run. "I got a little sloppy the fifth inning. Obviously leadoff walks will kill you," said Romano, who finished with a 5.31 ERA in 39 games, including 25 starts. "Other than that, it was definitely a good way to end the year for me, for sure." Cincinnati's season concluded with a 67-95 record and fifth-place finish in the National League Central -- the fourth straight season of at least 94 losses and placement at the bottom of the division. It did not end in pretty fashion. In the top of the 10th inning, with several regulars out of the game, Reyes reached on a one-out double to right-center field but advanced to third base on center fielder Gabriel Guerrero's error. After a two-out intentional walk to Josh Bell, Stephens bounced a ball in the dirt to Elias Diaz that got past catcher Tim Federowicz and allowed Reyes to come home. "You want to win each game, but we really appreciate the fans' response today," Reds interim manager Jim Riggleman said. "We got out playing with some energy, we were doing some good things. Really liked the way our fans acknowledged our players who came off. The rest of the game, it was a battle then. They got back into it and both clubs were getting after it the best they could." MOMENTS THAT MATTERED Hamilton generates a run: Billy Hamilton created Cincinnati's first run in the first inning after a one-out hit that got by second baseman Kramer. Hamilton hustled for a double, stole third base and scored when catcher Diaz's throw went into left field. He knew Riggleman would lift him from the game after two at-bats. "It was definitely fun, especially when you know you only have a certain amount of at-bats before the game," Hamilton said.