Lyon Richardson

Fan & Media Sentiment

Recent headlines push Lyon Richardson's sentiment grade to a D, with Cincinnati's broader season shaping the read. Richardson enters 2026 as a fringe roster piece defined more by organizational depth need than individual accomplishment — his waiver selection following Kyle Nicolas' DFA signals the Reds see him as a viable bullpen option, though the move reflects as much roster desperation as confidence in his talent. The Cincinnati relief corps has been ravaged by injuries and spring cuts, creating a volatile environment where Richardson has a genuine opportunity to carve out a role, but his grip on a roster spot remains tenuous at best. A lighthearted offseason moment involving Commissioner Manfred's private plane kept his name in circulation without meaningfully shifting professional perception, while the recent wave of relief signings (Ashcraft, Ferguson, Petty) underscores how interchangeable the Reds view their depth arms. Richardson's narrative hinges almost entirely on early-season execution — without an established track record, he's a depth arm with upside potential, and the media consensus won't budge until he proves it in games that matter.