It’s not too outlandish to suggest that the 2024 Cincinnati Reds are a much, much better baseball team when they have their team leader from 2023 in both fWAR and bWAR in the lineup. He’s their everyday leadoff guy against both LHP and RHP and their CF, after all, a vital two-way player who also demands respect on the bases.
TJ Friedl’s absence hasn’t been the only reason why the 2024 edition of the Reds are spiraling towards the basement of the NL Central for what seems like the billionth consecutive season, but it’s been a big one.