It’s been six years since the Reds have made the playoffs or even finished .500 in a season. President Dick Williams has made it no secret the team’s aiming to turn it around ASAP, though, which could set up for an active Reds winter. Improving a weak offense figures to be Cincinnati’s main focus over the coming months. The Reds’ outfield is one of multiple areas of concern, so it’s no surprise they seem to be looking to bolster that area of their roster. They’re among the teams interested in free agent Marcell Ozuna – arguably the top outfielder available – Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports.
For Ozuna to actually reach free agency, he’ll first have to reject the Cardinals’ $17.8MM qualifying offer by Thursday. That looks like a near certainty, however, and if it does happen and the Reds do sign Ozuna, they’d have to surrender their third-highest draft pick along with however much it could cost to win the bidding for him. MLBTR forecasts a three-year, $45MM contract for Ozuna, who has an extensive track record of quality production and, along with Nicholas Castellanos, looks like the best free-agent outfielder in this winter’s class. The 29-year-old Ozuna slashed .243/.330/.474 with 29 home runs, 12 steals and 2.6 fWAR across 549 plate appearances in 2019, during which he graded as a Statcast darling.
Whether the Reds get Ozuna or someone else, it’ll be an eye-opener if they don’t land at least one somewhat prominent outfielder this offseason. They’re stuck with a largely unproven group at the moment, as no one from the Nick Senzel–Aristides Aquino–Jesse Winker trio has established himself as a truly capable big league starter yet. Speculatively, if the Reds were to sign Ozuna, he could take over left field, leaving RF to a platoon consisting of the lefty-swinging Winker and the righty-hitting Aquino.
They are going to maybe lose Bauer / DeSclafani / Gausman next year to free agency so
I guess their window is NOW but, talk about a narrow window.
I don’t think they’re very concerned about Gausman. I would be shocked if they didn’t non-tender him since he is set to make over $9m. That’s way too much for not even having a guaranteed spot in the rotation. I could see them re-signing DeSclafani if the price is right.
I think it’s fairly likely they at least try to re-sign Disco, and might even offer him an extension this offseason
Gausman won’t be back at that price. Get Marte and Didi
I don’t think the reds need to sign Ozuna. I think the bigger need is to extend Bauer
Bauer will not sign extensions and wants to do 1 year deals for his whole career. It’s disappointing when you consider that the Reds basically have Trevor Bauer and Kyle Farmer to show for 3 Top 100 Prospects (Gray, Downs, Trammell). I hope they plan to move him at the deadline if they aren’t contending. Is it possible to give him the Qualifying Offer after 2020?
Yes he can get a QO, and if they aren’t contending I’m sure they will cash in Bauer and Disco (as long as they don’t sign Disco to an extension first). But the plan is for them to be competing and be buyers at the deadline
Hopefully Gray, Downs, and a few more prospects are flipped for Lindor.
How is that disappointing? Considering Trevor Bauer is a good enough talent to trade 3 top 100 prospects for, that doesn’t seem like that big a deal to me. Plus, there is the fact that none of those 3 prospects has done anything to establish himself as even a starting big league talent at the moment. I know prospect hounds don’t want t hear this, but there are 100 “top 100 prospects” in the minors every single year. There are not 100 “Trevor Bauers” every single year..
It’s disappointing cause no one else in baseball thought he was worth 2 of a teams top prospects, little lone 2 top 100. Horrible trade.
Well he can sign extensions but he loses a bet and his buddy gets to kick him in the nuts. Not sure how that will work if he gets the QO. He would have to accept it because nobody is going to give him a 1 year deal and lose a draft pick.
They’ll trade him at the deadline.
Bauer need to prove himself! He was a huge disappointment for the Reds after they acquired him!
This is one of the top free agents I was hoping they wouldn’t go after. I’d rather the Reds try to sign Yasiel Puig for half the cost (or Corey Dickerson). I think Ozuna is a poor man’s Cespedes and I wouldn’t be surprised if he falls off fast. I guess a 3 year deal wouldn’t be too bad for no more than $15m/yr… I just hope they don’t break the bank for him.
With any luck he’ll stay on the field more than Cespedes.
I like the idea of Puig on a discount, or even Dickerson
He’ll hit 40 HRs in that ballpark
To be fair, that’s what we thought Puig would do as well.
And to be fair, Puig was on his way to 40 before they dealt him. I’d rather see Puig for half (or less) the cost of Osuna
I kinda hope he stays with the Cards for a few years but he’s a much better player (hitter) than Puig – much better teammate too. Reds would be lucky to get him IMO
Puig was a fantastic teammate in Cincy, and I’d much rather have him back or Dickerson than Ozuna…
Puig doesn’t cost a draft pick. Good teammate.
Gauseman will be non tendered. Bauer has ready said all he wants is 1 year contracts I think descalifini will be resigned. The decision should b a center fielder like Starlin Marte or Jackie Bradley jr. Then move Senzel to 2nd base. Decide on Grandal on a 4 year deal or go with barnhart/ Casali until Tyler Stephenson is ready. Bring back Alex Wood on a 1 year contract and add couple of relievers like Declin Bettances or Craig Stammen. Maybe a left handers like Will Harris
I like your ideas. I think Marte will be too expensive, especially in the division. I think JBJ is overrated. I think I’d rather see them sign Didi Gregorious and just keep Senzel in CF until something better comes along. I don’t think Senzel did a bad job in CF.
I would like to see Wood re-signed for 1 year also because I’d like to see what he can do for one full, healthy year. Not a bad 5th man for the rotation. I don’t have much faith in Tyler Mahle.
Will Harris is a Right hander
Wrong Marte. Go rob Pittsburgh. They’re done for about 10 years
What’s everyone’s favorite DS9 episode. I’m partial to DUET
And Jesse Winkler hasn’t established himself yet?
I want the White Sox to trade for him. Dude’s gonna be a stud.
His biggest issue is that he doesn’t hit Lefties well at all. He’s also had some health issues that have hampered him. I think those are the top 2 issues.
^^^^i second every word Cam said
What am I missing with Jesse Winkler? The guy hit .285/ .379/ .466 in over 850 lifetime at bats.
Bad defender, and completely unplayable against LHP (career OPS of .543). The only thing he’s established is that he isn’t a full time player.
If he’s a .543 OPS against left handers, he must destroy righties. More right handed pitchers in the league than lefties.
Still means you have to carry a platoon partner on the roster. And he’s still a terrible defender when he does play.
You asked what you’re missing, and there’s your answer. He’s half a platoon and a liability in the field.
The should save any money they want to sign Ozuna for and instead invest it in more SP, setup men to back Iglesias and sign Didi.
Can we just save ourselves the time and pin Reds interested in all available free agents past, present, future, little league, Mexican league, international league to the top of the page?
Ozuna hit 241 with 29 HR/86 RBI/ 328 OB%/ 800 OPS and 472 Slugging and was widely considered one of the 5 worst outfielders in all of baseball
Puig hit 267 with 24 HR/ 84RBI/ 327 OB%/ 785 OPS and 458 Slugging and is considered an above average defense player.
Ozuna Is probably getting $20 million a year and Puig is gonna get half that. Easy for me to decide which one I want.
I’d much rather have Puig.
Please, no.
Who aren’t the Reds “interested in”???
Jack Parkman