TORONTO –– When the Cincinnati Reds traded Jesse Winker, Eugenio Suárez, Amir Garrett and Sonny Gray during spring training, the team lost four players who were expected to play big roles in Reds’ wins this season.There was another component to what the Reds lost, which Reds first baseman Joey Votto stressed the day the Reds traded Winker and Suárez to the Seattle Mariners. Votto explained how the Reds clubhouse lost four players who were leaders, mentors and positive influences in the clubhouse. Joey Votto:‘I have a responsibility to play well’: Joey Votto set to rejoin Reds in TorontoReds stadium:Here's where Cincinnati Reds attendance ranks in the MLB so far in 2022Cincinnati Reds:Tyler Naquin continues to turn around his season as the Reds sweep the GuardiansWhen the Reds left spring training, they were a group of players that really didn’t know each other well.“In spring training, it was mostly all new guys,” Reds shortstop Kyle Farmer said this week. “It takes a while to get to know somebody. Spending time together off the field helps, and then going through the grind and getting respect for other teammates, and we’ve gotten a lot closer.”As the Reds went 3-22 to start the season, the Reds looked the part of a team that was assembled late in spring training. Early in the season, the Reds struggled communicating on pop-ups. When they lost more key players to injuries, the Reds had starting lineups with multiple Triple-A call-ups and waiver claims.According to Reds manager David Bell, it can be challenging to get a lot of new pieces to click together quickly.Reds pitching:New Reds reliever Ross Detwiler reinvented himself to stay in the big leaguesReds IL:Cincinnati Reds injury updates: Mike Minor is close to returning but Nick Lodolo is notReds prospects:RedsXtra: Joe Boyle sets tone for Dayton Dragons with incredible start to season“Coming out of spring training, we did have some injured guys, but we did have a lot of new faces,” Bell said. “There was a real effort made by our players away from the ballpark, for example.“Unfortunately, the losses brought our team together. You never want to go through that, and it can definitely go the other way. It went the (right) way and we came together. That led to some of the success we’ve had in the last two weeks.”The Reds had won seven of their last 10 games entering Friday’s game in Toronto, and Farmer said the Reds are doing a better job communicating on pop-ups and double plays. He also drew the connection to the Reds’ players getting to know each other better.“When you learn about a player off the field, you respect what he has been through,” Farmer said. “Then when he gets on the field, you know his tendencies, what he can and can’t do well, and maybe you can make up for that. You get to know people as a player, as a person, and figure out what their lifestyle is. You can find similarities. That grows team camaraderie.”Farmer said he has learned a lot by watching new Reds infielder Brandon Drury at the plate. After he learned Drury’s tendencies, Farmer said he has the opportunity to pick up different pieces of Drury’s game and apply them when he’s at the plate. Reds rebuild:Paul Daugherty: No instant gratification for the Reds, the payoff is down the roadHunter Greene:Reds' Hunter Greene made a hard-to-spot adjustment before throwing 7 1/3 no-hit inningsBell said relationships like that have helped the Reds bounce back from their disappointing start to the season.“They’ve taken to one another,” Bell said. “It’s become a team.” Source link
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