The Reds dived into the free agent market and signed four players for over $100 million dollars this winter. Frankie Montas, Nick Martinez, Emilio Pagan and Jeimar Candelario.
General manager, Nick Krall is hoping this round of investments works out better for the Reds than the last time, he delved into the free agent market.
When the Reds felt like they were competitive at the end of the 2019 season, Krall invested in offense in the off season. He invested in Nick Castellanos, Mike Moustakas and Shogo Akiyama.
The Covid season anomaly came a bad time for the Reds but even into the Reds 83-79 2021 season, Krall's plan didn't work out as he wanted. He ended up building the offense through the trade of Sonny Gray, Luis Castillo and Tyler Mahle, pitchers that he didn't feel he could keep for a slew of youthful players.
Last season we watched as that group of young players excited the Reds' fans with daring, if not reckless baserunning. They showed an offensive upside that if it continues will lead to a lot of exciting play and scoring.
Three young pitchers, Hunter Greene, Nick Lodolo and Graham Ashcraft replaced the trio before them from 2021. The Reds also lost Wade Miley through free agency and Vladimir Gutierrez through injury. The top five starters from 2021 were gone by the end of the 100 loss 2022 season.
This off season Krall has hedged his bet on the youthful pitching that includes Andrew Abbott, who far exceeded his innings count at the end of 2023 and Brandon Williamson. He also saw promise from Connor Phillips, Carson Spiers and Levi Stoudt.
Krall most recently signed Montas (30) and Martinez (33) to supplement the group of youngsters. Both are righthanded.
Montas has long been a prized prospect since he broke in with the Chicago White Sox in 2015. His first full year, 2021, he pitched out of the bullpen, making 23 appearances for Oakland.
Montsas made 124 straight starts after that. He was traded to the New York Yankees at the trade deadline in 2022 and made his last eight starts. His best season, 2021, he made 32 starts and pitched 187 innings with a 13-9 record and a 3.37 ERA. He struck out 207 batters that season and walked just 57. For his career, he has 612 strikeouts opposed to 197 walks. That stat will serve him well at Great American Ball Park should he be fully recovered from shoulder problems that cut short his 2022 season and limited him to one relief appearance last season. He had arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder in February 2023.
Krall is gambling that he will recover and be effective in a rotation and stabilize the youth on the Reds' staff that had its own problems with injuries last season.
Montas reportedly signed for one year at $14 million with mutual option for $20 million in 2025 with a $2 million dollar buyout.
Martinez has been a starter but was unable to secure a place in the starting rotation of the San Diego Padres last season. He started 19 games in two seasons with the Padres but pitched mostly out of the bullpen, making 100 relief appearances with nine saves. Still he made nine starts with a 2.32 ERA. His value is in keeping the ball on the ground while he's on the mound. Over half of the at bats, 52% end in ground outs, another key to success at homer happy GABP. Like Montsas, Martinez doesn't walk a lot of batters. Last season he walked 40 in 110.1 innings while striking out 106.
Martinez signed for two years at $26 million but can opt out after the 2024.
The Reds also signed Emilio Pagan a 32-year old righthanded reliever, who pitched for the Minnesota Twins the last two seasons, making 66 appearances last season. He was 5-2 with a 2.99 ERA. Another strike thrower, Pagan walked 21 in 69.1 innings while striking out 65.
Pagan reportedly has a one-year contract with a player option which could net him $16 million.
Krall did add a bat by signing 30-year old switch hitting Jeimar Candelario to a three-year $45 million dollar contract. Candelario can play first and third base. The Reds are flush with infielders but Jonathan India and Spencer Steer will be given a chance to play outfield assuming they both go to spring training on the Reds' roster.
Candelario hit .251 with the Washington Nationals and Chicago Cubs last season. He hit 22 home runs but also belted 39 doubles.
"Some of those doubles could turn into home runs at Great American Ball Park," Krall said.
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