This week’s review takes a look at the state of Cincinnati’s major professional teams. Midway through a turbulent year for sports and everything else.

Cincinnati Reds

Summer camp began for the Cincinnati Reds last week. The latest step in Major League Baseball’s re-opening process. Two Reds players have reportedly test positive for COVID-19. According to the Reds, neither player is in Cincinnati. Beyond COVID-19, this long off-season has been busy for the Reds front office.

The Reds have made three major roster moves since the 2019 season ended. Signing Shogo Akiyama, Nick Castellanos and Mike Moustakas. Akiyama is making history as the Reds’ first Japanese-born player. Moustakas’ four-year $64 million deal is the largest free agent contract in Reds history. Castellanos’ contract is also a four-year $64 million deal.

Cincinnati’s spending spree presents a reason for Reds fans to be optimistic. About the Reds’ chances of contender after a six season postseason drought. A 60 game season could disrupt the Reds hopes of contending this year. However, the same could be said about every MLB team this year. As we inch closer towards this unorthodox upcoming season.

Cincinnati Bengals

The Cincinnati Bengals are also in the midst of a busy off-season. Drafting Joe Burrow with the first overall pick in April’s NFL Draft. Releasing veteran quarterback Andy Dalton one week later. Before the draft, the Bengals franchise tagged veteran wide receiver A.J. Green. On the free agency front, the Bengals have been more active than usual.

All of this comes while questions swirl around the 2020 NFL season. Especially, whether any regular season games get cancelled due to COVID-19. Last week, the league cut the upcoming preseason in half. Coming a week after the preseason opening Hall of Fame Game was cancelled. The NFL Players Association is recommending the cancellation of the entire preseason.

So far, the calendar continues to work in the NFL’s favor. With the pandemic grabbing America’s full attention a month after the Super Bowl. The NFL was able to avoid the kind of disruptions other leagues initially faced. Beyond having no International Series games this year; the league is planning for a mostly normal regular season schedule. Despite those plans, the NFL’s luck could be running out.

There are several reasons to be doubtful about a full regular season happening. For starters, the NFL’s regular season crosses with flu season. When health officials fear another surge of cases could break out. The nature of the game is also a cause for concern. Unlike baseball, social distancing is not part of the nature of football.

FC Cincinnati

Roughly five years after their founding; 2020 is shaping up to be the wildest year in FC Cincinnati’s history. That’s the case without even taking COVID-19 into account. Their former manager Ron Jans resigned weeks before the season began. Due to allegations that he used a racial slur. The season began on a rough note for the orange and blue. Losing their first two and so far only matches played so far. Play was suspended days before FC Cincinnati’s home opener.

The team hired Jaap Stam to be their new manager in May. FCC will resume play later this week in Florida. With the latest match in the “Hell is Real” derby rivalry. Facing the Columbus Crew July 11th at 10:30 PM Eastern on FS1. In the first of at least three FCC matches in the MLS is Back Tournament.

Next week’s review

Next week, a midyear review for Cincinnati college and minor league sports. Plus, the Cincinnati Reds’ 2020 regular season schedule. The 2020 MLB schedule will be revealed in a televised special tonight. Starting at 6 PM Eastern time on MLB Network.