Reds general manager Nick Krall recently discussed the team’s pitching outlook for 2021 with reporters (including Bobby Nightengale of the Cincinnati Enquirer). The baseball operations head said he wouldn’t rule out a reunion with top free agent Trevor Bauer but reiterated that the parties “haven’t really had substantial conversations” to this point.
Should Bauer depart, the Reds have no shortage of arms who could compete for rotation spots behind Luis Castillo, Sonny Gray, Tyler Mahle and Wade Miley. Recently-acquired Jeff Hoffman could be in that mix, as are Tejay Antone and Michael Lorenzen. Krall also pointed to former top prospect José De León, who struggled in five relief appearances last season but saw his velocity spike into the mid-90’s and remains on the 40-man roster. Brandon Bailey, acquired from the Astros last week, also has starting experience in the minors but is seen as more of a bullpen option for Cincinnati, Krall said.
Of course, there’s also been some discussion of a possible Gray trade. Krall didn’t deny reports the organization is listening to offers on Gray. He did, however, downplay the significance, suggesting those discussions were mostly due diligence. It certainly remains possible another team bowls the Reds over with an offer in the coming months, but Nightengale suggests the most likely outcome is that Gray stays put into next season.
Bauer is overrated career era is 3.90 . People talk like he’s Roger Clemens
I don’t know about overrated but I agree that he had a career part of a year last season. I would let someone else throw 25-30 million a year at him.. I would use his money to acquire a short term shortstop. Huge long term high dollar contracts are killers for the Reds(witness Joey Votto).. It will be several years yet before the Reds rid themselves of that huge dead weight contract.
Literally no one gets better. You’re right, dude. Losers.
I mean it was only the second time he had an ERA below 4 and it came in 11 starts… lots of guys flop after career years. There’s no need to be so defensive about him.
If you’re upset that a pitcher is being valued as a big future asset after showing little or no promise in his numbers, then I suggest you find a different sport or just ignore the hot stove all together lol.
I’m just as interested in seeing where he goes as you. All I’m saying is that in a shortened season without fans he had a monster year, but if you look at the bigger picture history would show it’s an aberration.
The bigger picture shows he came alive the second half of 2017, had a great 2018, and was hurt through 2019. He has the stuff to be a top of the line starter. I dont think anyone expects a sub 2 era for a full season, but its reasonable to assume he can repeat 2018 with consistency for a least the next 4-5 years if he maintains velocity.
Yeah, teams should try to sign Clemens instead. At least they wouldn’t have to worry about the draft pick compensation.
They would have to worry about broken bats being thrown at opposition hitters, though.
I read that as “Reds GM Nick Kroll discusses pitching staff.”
The part if this that bothers me is discussions of trading Sonny Gray. If we lose Bauer and Gray that would make no sense to me. Having a solid 3 starters was critical to get them barely in the playoffs where they didn’t score a run. Sure, someone may step up but we’ve been waiting for that guy for 20 years. Go get Lindor, Storey or Seger and keep Gray. Teach Aquino or play first and platoon with Votto. Disco is gone too … he wasn’t great but he was serviceable.
You want Corey Seager? That will be Sonny Gray, Senzel and Hunter Green. Thats what it will take to get the World Series MVP from a big market team easily with the resources to keep him.
You are an idiot.
You sound like the type of person to hug prospects for dear life. Senzel and Green are projects at this point. But hey when you disagree with someone call them names and don’t back up why you think that way.
What will likely happen is sign Didi and keep Gray. Didi is not Lindor but he’s a significant upgrade from Galvis.
What SHOULD happen is to sign Didi or Semien. Why give up prospects for a short term rental that you won’t be re-signing?
Didi passed on reds last year and took less to play in Phili. Why would he consider Cincy this year when he had a decent season and should be in line for a bigger payday
Agreed … Didi would kill it at GASP. That would definitely be an upgrade. However, trade Gray with no significant replacement then what’s the point ? Trading Gray makes zero sense. The relationship he has with our pitching coach going back to college or minors , wherever it was is what got him over the hump.
True, keep Gray, sign Didi, keep most of what u have intact, let Bauer sign elsewhere, he is very good but not worth the $$, and only saw him great in a shortened season, spend money on SS or other pitching
@LandCrabs – If the Dodgers could get three years of Sonny Gray for the final season of Corey Seager before he hits free agency, they would do that in a heartbeat. And if the Reds threw in Senzel and Greene, LA could package one of them in a deal for Lindor or keep both and sign Gregorius/Semien/etc. to play SS in ’21.
No they wouldn’t
The “Gray has 3 years and Seager has 1 so Dodgers should make that trade” argument is comical. Seager is the best hitting SS in baseball. Dodgers are not a poverty franchise that has to make moves just for service time.
There are a number of SS available this offseason and next, so the Dodgers can have their pick among them. Gray’s performance and contract are more difficult to find. No, the Dodgers aren’t “a poverty franchise,” but a good deal one place makes it easier to afford a more expensive contract somewhere else. At some point, every team has a limit on what it will spend – even the Dodgers.
Early discussions like this can be important moving forward, everyone knows you have to Krall before you can walk.
What a time to be alive. A man can win a Cy young but can also be overrated. Uh huh.. you read that right
I like Bauer … I especially like how he tells it how it is. He doesn’t take peoples crap. I respect that. He was a great pitcher this year only. Above average in other years but not elite. I don’t want the Reds to go too long term with any pitcher. For the same reasons as Cueto and Bailey. 2 or 3 years is plenty. If we could sign Bauer for a couple seasons I’d be for it .. he’s one of a very few pitchers I enjoy just watching him pitch. He’s very creative on the mound. I wouldn’t go much more than that …
Hey there letmeclearmythroat74. Hope all is well.
We would all like to see him come back but could/should the small market Reds pay what he is probably going to get elsewhere? I am not sure what that is but if we talk 3 years are we in the 60-80m range or more? Reds have lots of pitching options to take his place. Sure he might win 15 games but is that worth that kind of money when we need offence a lot more? We could spend some of that money and get Didi G. and a decent closer. Anyone else on pins and needles every time Igelsias takes the mound?
Agreed … I don’t want to spend a lot on Bauer .. just keep Gray, that’s a must IMO. I’d like to get Didi but I question if he will sign here. I absolutely can’t stand Iglesias. Bell drives me nuts as he keeps reeling him out there. I would be more comfortable with Lorenzen , Bradley, Garrett … I think Bradley will emerge as the closer. I wouldn’t mind experimenting with Iglesias in the rotation…he has good stuff but I think his pitches need to be set up more … he needs more than an inning for that. While I’m on a roll here .. I’m unimpressed with Senzel and Akiyama … maybe the platoon works in center …or maybe it’s Goodwin .. I don’t see the OF as much as a strength as everyone else. Winker is so streaky .. they need a significant bat added to the lineup .. the only spots are SS and CF.
Hi all. Chiming in on the mentioned trade of trade of Gray for Seager. Obviously a number 1 or 2 starter in his prime with multiple years under control reasonably priced is a rare commodity. One of the best hitting SS in the league would be just what the Reds with their hitting woes and hole at SS need.
Of course for this to work somehow magically Seager agrees to a extension with the Reds before the trade. IMO in all likelihood Gray stays with the Reds.
Reds really need to figure out their offensive woes especially if we have a full season in 21. A big help for the Reds if the NL keeps the DH. Stick Votto at DH? If all he has to do is worry about hitting at his age he might regain some of his thunder. Winker at 1B? Or trade Winker and see finally what Aquino can do with a decent amount at bats?
Indians fan here, but here me out. While Lindor is exactly what you guys need I wouldn’t give up the farm for any 1 yr rental as a mid-market team. Having said that, I think Carrasco would be a better target. He’s a fantastic SP signed to a team friendly deal with options of the next 3 yrs I believe. He keeps the ball on the ground and runs off the board. I’m curious as to what the Reds would be willing to offer?
Yes Lindor is just what we need and you are correct not much value in a one year rental even Lindor unless you are a deep pocket team unless you can sign him to multi year deal or just go out and buy more players. What do the indians need for Carrasco? Outfielders? We got em! 🙂
I thought that said Nick Kroll
Even though Bauer will be paid well by whoever signs him. The Cubs need to do something with their lack of pitching while the oven is hot and other teams are grabbing the free agent pitchers that are available. The Cubs need to make a trade for 1 starter and possibly 1 reliever! They need to do this soon. And sign Lester for at least 1 year.
Sit on your butts and not doing anything is not a option!