Nick Krall CALLS OUT Noelvi Marte & Andrew Abbott, Cincinnati Reds FIRE More Coaches | MLB News

Nick Krall called out Noelvi Marte and Andrew Abbott, more Cincinnati Reds coaches are out, and Phil Castellini says ownership is sticking with its strategy. Nick Kirby and Craig Sandlin break down the Reds’ end-of-season comments, the coaching changes and what it all means for the 2027 roster on Chatterbox Reds.

Todd Naskedov is out as the Reds’ minor league pitching coordinator, joining departing pitching coach Derek Johnson and MLB assistant hitting coach Will Remillard. Nick and Craig discuss the changes and the front office’s responsibility for major league performance and player development.

Brad Meador said Cincinnati is looking for a hitting coach with a different skill set and more experience. With Chris Valaika returning as hitting coach and director of hitting, how could the next addition complement his approach?

The pitching search also brings a potential structural change. Krall said the Reds most likely will not combine the big league pitching coach and director of pitching responsibilities as they did with Johnson, although that decision has not been finalized. Cincinnati plans to hire a major league pitching coach and “work from there.” Assistant pitching coaches Matt Tracy and Oscar Marin have interviewed for the job. What should the Reds prioritize in their next pitching coach?

Krall’s blunt assessment of the roster generated plenty of discussion, starting with Noelvi Marte: “Noelvi Marte was bad. We should have sent him down earlier than we did.” Krall also addressed TJ Friedl’s struggles, saying he lost some athleticism and struggled to repeat what he did in 2025. His overall message: “We’ve got to improve the roster first and foremost.”

Andrew Abbott also drew criticism, with Krall saying the left-hander “needs to get himself into better shape going into next year.” Nick and Craig react to the public comments, the expectations being placed on individual players and the front office’s own responsibility for the roster and decisions that shaped the season.

Despite the coaching departures, Valaika will return in 2027. Krall pointed to career years from Elly De La Cruz, JJ Bleday, Tyler Stephenson and Dane Myers, along with Sal Stewart’s emergence, as reasons for confidence in the Reds’ hitting leadership. How should the Reds weigh individual success against the offense’s overall results?

Krall defended Cincinnati’s “hit over power” philosophy while acknowledging the Reds need more players who fit it. After emphasizing power entering 2026, the front office is now stressing contact, on-base ability and a more balanced lineup. “We were second in home runs and last in runs scored. We need to make more contact and get on base more,” Krall said. He also acknowledged: “We didn’t give Tito enough platoon options.”

Meador offered a similar assessment: “We emphasized and probably overemphasized impact, both as a front office and to our players last year going into the offseason. It needs to be more balanced.” Nick and Craig discuss what that admission means for offseason priorities, lineup construction and giving Terry Francona more options to handle different matchups.

Ke’Bryan Hayes was another major topic. Krall said Hayes “chased hits” after early bad luck and struggled offensively throughout the season. He also said Hayes needs to take care of himself and get into better shape to help manage his back. The Reds, however, are not giving up on him.

Krall pointed to Hayes’ previous value and argued that a rebound could still make him productive and worth his contract, even in a bench role built around quality defense. Hayes needs to get back to a level where he can contribute as a quality bench player. Nick and Craig examine those expectations and where Hayes could fit as Cincinnati works to improve its roster.

Phil Castellini addressed ownership’s role and the possibility of bringing in additional investors to increase baseball spending. There are no current plans to do so. Castellini said he is open to future discussions, but the focus remains on the existing strategy.

Castellini also emphasized that Bob Castellini remains involved and that responsibility for results is shared. Ownership allocates resources, while Krall and Meador make baseball decisions and are responsible for getting the most from those resources. Nick and Craig discuss the accountability behind those comments and what fans can take from ownership’s commitment to the current approach.

The episode also covers injury updates: Spencer Steer underwent surgery, Dane Myers had an AC joint cleanup, and those players, along with Tony Santillan, hope to be ready by February or near the start of the season.

Which Reds comment stood out most, and what should Cincinnati’s top offseason priority be? .