The Cincinnati Reds' 1996 season consisted of the Cincinnati Reds attempting to win the National League Central.
December 7, 1995: Chris Sabo was signed as a Free Agent with the Cincinnati Reds.
January 2, 1996: Eric Davis was signed as a Free Agent with the Cincinnati Reds.
January 9, 1996: Mike Kelly was traded by the Atlanta Braves to the Cincinnati Reds for a player to be named later and Chad Fox. The Cincinnati Reds sent Ray King (June 11, 1996) to the Atlanta Braves to complete the trade.
January 20, 1996: Vince Coleman signed as a Free Agent with the Cincinnati Reds.
February 26, 1996: Joe Oliver was signed as a Free Agent with the Cincinnati Reds.
February 26, 1996: Damon Berryhill was released by the Cincinnati Reds.
April 1 – Seven pitches into the first game of the season, at Riverfront Stadium in Cincinnati, home plate umpire John McSherry collapses on the field and dies of a massive heart attack. The game between the Cincinnati Reds and Montréal Expos is postponed, along with the rest of the games scheduled for that day. Reds owner Marge Schott later comes under fire for wanting the game in Cincinnati to continue despite the tragedy (and against the wishes of the players on both teams), saying that she felt "cheated" when it was canceled.
April 2, 1996: Scott Service was signed as a Free Agent with the Cincinnati Reds.
May 27, 1996: Lee Smith was traded by the California Angels to the Cincinnati Reds for Chuck McElroy.
June 18, 1996: Vince Coleman was released by the Cincinnati Reds.
July 30, 1996: Kevin Mitchell was traded by the Boston Red Sox to the Cincinnati Reds for Roberto Mejía and Brad Tweedie (minors).
July 30, 1996: Eric Anthony was purchased by the Colorado Rockies from the Cincinnati Reds.
June 4, 1996: Buddy Carlyle was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds in the 2nd round of the 1996 amateur draft. Player signed June 21, 1996.
Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in
Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts
Note: G = Games pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts
