# Ken Rosenthal says Reds' owner is the real problem, not Krall

> MLB insider defends GM Nick Krall and points to Bob Castellini's ownership as the root cause of Cincinnati's struggles.
- Title: Ken Rosenthal says Reds' owner is the real problem, not Krall
- Summary: MLB insider defends GM Nick Krall and points to Bob Castellini's ownership as the root cause of Cincinnati's struggles. The Reds have missed the playoffs 26…
- Keywords: cincinnati reds, nick krall, bob castellini, ken rosenthal, the athletic, mlb, trade deadline, ownership, front office, playoffs, sports, Ken
- Source: Cincinnati Reds On SI — https://si.com/mlb/reds/onsi/mlb-insider-defends-nick-krall-and-points-elsewhere-for-the-reds-biggest-problem-01m2kc0c3qnz
- Published: 2026-09-15T20:45:41+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: cincinnati reds, nick krall, bob castellini, ken rosenthal, the athletic, mlb, trade deadline, ownership, front office, playoffs, sports
## Another disappointing Reds season
The Cincinnati Reds are finishing another losing year. Questions are mounting about whether GM Nick Krall should get another chance.
## Rosenthal blames ownership, not Krall
Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic says the real problem is above the GM. He questions how much freedom Krall actually has to make decisions.

> I would say it rests with the Reds more on ownership than anything else
## 26 playoff misses in 31 years
The Reds have failed to reach the postseason 26 of the last 31 seasons. Bob Castellini hasn't shown he can build a winner like the Brewers, Rays, or Guardians.

> Clearly, this is a team that has missed the playoffs 26 of the last 31 years.
## Trade deadline inactivity criticized
Krall deserves blame for doing nothing at the trade deadline when moves were needed. But Rosenthal questions whether ownership allowed him to act.

> I don't know how much freedom he had to make those decisions.
## Ownership may block selling
The Castellinis care deeply about perception. They'd rather win 75 games than sell off and win 65, even if selling helps the future.
## Krall's roster moves still questionable
Ownership likely didn't force signings like Jeimer Candelario or Mike Moustakas, or the Ke'Bryan Hayes trade. The front office has repeatedly failed to build a winner.
## Reds spend more than competitors
Cincinnati's payroll exceeds the Brewers, Rays, and Guardians. Those teams just do more with less money.
## Both ownership and GM share blame
The Castellinis deserve criticism for the team's state. But Krall has had plenty of chances to build a winner and hasn't delivered results.
## Key takeaway

The Reds have missed the playoffs 26 of the last 31 years, and while GM Nick Krall deserves some blame, ownership's limitations may be the bigger obstacle.