### The Cincinnati Reds Are Sinking Once Again: Will Terry Francona Learn Anything from It?
The Cincinnati Reds are no strangers to adversity. In fact, after years of rebuilding, the Reds are once again in the middle of a tough stretch where their hopes of postseason contention are slipping away. The 2024 season, after a brief spark of optimism, seems to be following the same old script: flashes of promise but ultimately falling short when it matters most. As the season falters, the question looms larger than ever: will Terry Francona, a man renowned for his managerial expertise and ability to turn teams around, learn from this experience, and apply those lessons to the Reds’ ongoing rebuilding process?
Francona, who took over as manager of the Cleveland Indians (now Guardians) in 2013, helped to transform the team into perennial contenders. His leadership was instrumental in leading the team to the 2016 World Series, and his calm demeanor and strategic acumen became hallmarks of his tenure. Now, in the later stages of his career, Francona finds himself in a different kind of situation: managing a team in the midst of a rebuild, and guiding a roster that, while talented, still faces several questions. As the Reds once again fall out of contention, it’s worth examining what lessons Francona could learn from Cincinnati’s struggles — and how his experience could influence the team moving forward.
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### **The Reds’ Identity Crisis: Searching for Consistency**
At the heart of Cincinnati’s struggles in 2024 lies a fundamental question: what is the Reds’ identity? A team with several young stars, including Elly De La Cruz, Matt McLain, and Spencer Steer, should be on the rise. But a combination of inconsistent pitching, injury setbacks, and untimely slumps at the plate has kept the team from sustaining momentum. In recent years, the Reds have lacked the consistency needed to be a playoff-caliber team.
Francona, throughout his career, has shown a remarkable ability to establish and maintain a team’s identity. His Cleveland teams were built around strong pitching, elite defense, and situational hitting. Even when the team didn’t have the flashiest roster, Francona maximized his players’ strengths and put them in positions to succeed. In Cleveland, he stressed the importance of team chemistry, flexibility, and adaptability. These qualities could be vital lessons for the Reds, as they continue to search for the right combination of players to build around.
For the Reds, there is promise in their young stars, but a lack of overall consistency — both from individual players and as a team — continues to hold them back. De La Cruz, for example, has shown his electrifying potential but has also had stretches where his strikeout rate has ballooned. McLain and Steer have had flashes of brilliance, but neither player has been able to fully carry the offense over an extended period. The pitching staff, led by emerging ace **Hunter Greene**, has also been inconsistent, with starting pitchers struggling to go deep into games and the bullpen unable to hold leads at critical moments.
Francona’s ability to bring focus and stability to a team with such potential is a quality the Reds could desperately use. He has long been a proponent of creating a culture of accountability and professionalism, and instilling these same values in the Reds’ young players could be a key takeaway for the team. If the Reds are to get over the hump in the coming seasons, they will need more consistency from their players, especially the young core that has shown promise but remains prone to growing pains.
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### **The Importance of Smart Roster Management and Player Development**
One of Francona’s most impressive traits as a manager has been his ability to develop and maximize the potential of players throughout their careers. Whether it was his work with the young **Francisco Lindor** in Cleveland or his ability to turn older veterans like **Carlos Santana** and **Jason Kipnis** into consistent contributors, Francona is known for getting the most out of his roster. In Cleveland, he made a point of putting players in roles where they could succeed, and not being afraid to make adjustments when things weren’t working.
The Reds, in many ways, find themselves in a similar position. Their roster is loaded with young talent, but that talent has yet to fully coalesce. Francona’s experience could serve the Reds well in managing their prospects — giving them the right mix of playing time and opportunities to develop while also being patient with their inevitable ups and downs.
A key area where Francona’s approach could have an immediate impact is with the Reds’ pitching staff. While Cincinnati has some promising arms, the development of their young pitchers like **Hunter Greene**, **Nick Lodolo**, and **Graham Ashcraft** has been inconsistent. Greene, in particular, has the stuff to be an ace, but his command and consistency have been issues. If Francona were to step in, it would be beneficial for him to bring the same approach to pitcher development that he used in Cleveland, where he helped pitchers like **Shane Bieber** and **Zach Plesac** become key contributors. He’s known for his emphasis on getting the best out of pitchers without overburdening them, which could be crucial for a Reds rotation that often finds itself stretched thin.
Moreover, Francona’s ability to manage the bullpen and use matchups effectively could provide a steady hand in a situation where the Reds have struggled. The bullpen, which has been erratic at times, could benefit from a manager with Francona’s experience in utilizing pitchers in optimal roles, giving them high-leverage opportunities when they’re most likely to succeed.
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### **A Culture of Accountability: Learning from Mistakes**
Another important lesson Francona could impart is the ability to create a culture of accountability within the clubhouse. While Cincinnati’s front office and coaching staff have worked hard to develop the team, the Reds’ younger players are still learning the ropes of what it takes to win consistently at the major league level. Francona has been a key part of creating teams that thrive under pressure, and that comes from developing a mindset of accountability, both individually and collectively.
In Cleveland, Francona was never shy about holding players accountable when needed, but he also knew how to maintain a balance between strict leadership and providing a supportive environment for his players to grow. The Reds, like many rebuilding teams, have faced challenges in getting their young players to make the leap from potential to consistent performance. Francona’s experience in guiding players through that transition — and his ability to understand when to push and when to pull back — could be crucial in helping Cincinnati move forward.
As the Reds’ season falters, they face a crossroads. With a mix of veterans like **Joey Votto** and **Will Myers** on the roster, and a young core that has shown flashes of brilliance, Francona would have the opportunity to help instill a mindset of growth and responsibility. Encouraging young players to understand the importance of preparation and staying focused, while also teaching them to learn from mistakes, would be a valuable lesson that could benefit the Reds for years to come.
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### **Conclusion: Will Francona Learn from the Reds’ Struggles?**
As the Reds’ 2024 season slips away, Terry Francona’s lessons — if applied — could be just the antidote for the team’s struggles. From instilling a more consistent team identity to guiding the development of the Reds’ young players, Francona’s experience could help the Reds navigate their growing pains and build a more sustainable winner.
Of course, Francona’s leadership would depend on his ability to adapt to the Reds’ specific challenges, from managing the pitching staff to handling the highs and lows of a rebuilding team. But with his track record of success and his knack for making teams better through smart, thoughtful leadership, there’s no doubt that Francona could learn valuable lessons from the Reds’ struggles — and potentially be the one to turn their future around. The Reds’ window is slowly opening, and with Francona at the helm, it might just be the right moment to learn from past mistakes and chart a course for success in the seasons to come.