What happened: The Cincinnati Reds announced a series of roster transactions on Saturday as offseason business officially opened. The moves trimmed the organization's 40-man roster to 38 players.

Why it matters: Clearing spots on the 40-man roster provides Cincinnati immediate flexibility ahead of the winter deadline to protect eligible minor leaguers from the Rule 5 draft. The open slots also position the front office to pursue external free agents and trade acquisitions as the market opens.

What to watch: Cincinnati will continue reshaping its roster ahead of the mid-November deadline to add prospects to the 40-man roster.