Add the Reds to the many teams interested in coveted free-agent right-hander Zack Wheeler, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports (subscription required). Wheeler’s longtime team, the Mets, as well as the White Sox, Twins, Angels, Padres, Yankees and Blue Jays are also among the clubs that have been connected to him early this offseason.
Reds president of baseball operations Dick Williams indicated last month the Reds would be active in free agency, though expectations were the team’s focus would be on the offensive side. After all, the Reds finished last season 25th in the majors in both runs and wRC+, yet there’s already plenty of talent in their rotation. The team currently boasts Luis Castillo, Sonny Gray, Trevor Bauer and Anthony DeSclafani as locks for its starting staff next year. That said, signing Wheeler would perhaps give Cincinnati an elite rotation on paper, and now that catcher Yasmani Grandal (a target for the Reds who signed with the White Sox on Thursday) is off the board, an agent told Rosenthal the club may be prepared to redirect a significant portion of its available funds to Wheeler.
The 29-year-old Wheeler would immediately become one of the biggest signings in Reds history, with MLBTR predicting he’ll land a $100MM deal over a half-decade this offseason. Wheeler would give the Reds yet another front-of-the-rotation type, having pitched to a 3.96 ERA/3.48 FIP with 8.98 K/9 and 2.3 BB/9 across a career-high 195 1/3 innings in 2019. That output was enough to convince the Mets to hit the flamethrowing Wheeler with a $17.8MM qualifying offer, which he rejected. Because he’s a QO recipient, signing Wheeler would cost the Reds their third-highest pick in 2020. That won’t scare Cincy off, though, as Williams said last week the team will consider signing players who received a QO.
Right but is he interested in Reds?
Yes we can get them tomorrow morning at work we are leaving the office and we are leaving the office in about the time we can get them to the house and get them to get you guys there
Really!? You can get me Zack Wheeler to my house tomorrow? What’s the delivery fee on that? lol
100 mil.
I can only imagine the Wheeler email you sent to your boss by accident….some people just aren’t cut out for multitasking.
Ha ha. I laughed way too hard at this. Nice work.
WTF!!??
This sounds suspicious as if they are using this site to transport something nefarious. Anyone contact the feds?
Money talks.
If he likes their green.
The Reds’ green … sounds X-masy
Wheeler has more teams “interested in him” then the Mets had managerial candidates.
They might not be done in the manager go round. If Beltran ends up being heavily involved, they might fire him before he manages a game!
Exactly! Insert Team Name “here” is interested in Wheeler…
Involved in
what?
Astros scandal
only the Astros will be held accountable not an ex player
Will each team conduct 6 rounds of interviews with him?
I disagree. Former 2017 Astros players that are now coaching or managing (Cora, Beltran etc) could face MLB punishment depending on their involvement.
Cora was bench coach not a player in 2017
He’s interested in team that gives him most $
it’s just one factor.
*one hundred million factors.
I feel the Reds have been interested in Wheeler for what feels like 10 years now.. if I remember correctly, the Reds tried to acquire him when they dealt Jay Bruce and Wheeler basically went into the front office and begged not to be traded. Then the deal was discussed with Nimmo attached and we didnt get him either. I think the Reds got a bag of chips or something out of that deal by the end of it.. I’m a little embarrassed I cant remember who ended up being a part of that deal.
You’re correct, it was suppose to be Wheeler or Nimmo. The Mets knew they didn’t need to give up much so the Reds got Dilson Herrera, last I heard he was back with the Mets. If they’re interested in Wheeler I really hope they’re trying to move Bauer. Fly ball pitchers and GABP don’t mix.
Reds interested in everyone, but will that really translate into signing or acquiring players that make a difference or just play around the edges?
They should go 4 it, fortify the rotation With this pick, & pick up a CF, resign Ingelsias, put Senzel back 2 2nd base, get bench players
Iglesias blows. Need someone actually good
exactly
Obviously lawnchair GM’s that don’t have a clue…
Iglesias doesn’t “blow”
He is a good middle INF and hit surprisingly well this year. (As did a lot of other unsuspecting players)
BUT!! On a championship team, I think he’s best suited as your best backup infielder. Perhaps platooning with someone with poor splits. Platoon/Utility/backup SS. That’s valuable in itself.
I just honk Didi is their guy to lose at this point.
honk like a duck, or like a car? Or a clown?..
Jacques – Senzel needs to stay in centerfield. There are very few quality CFrs available in MLB. Meanwhile, second baseman are a dime a dozen. For now, Galvis is your starting SS, and you can find a plus offensive 2Bman to plug into the lineup. Sign Wheeler and one of the 2 big corner OF FAs.
I don’t think Senzel will b back in CF, with the arm/shoulder repair he may b suited better for 2nd base, signing Wheeler would move him out of NLE mayb good change for him, still need outfielder & LHR pitcher
you could get Dididi and moose for the same money. add in Dickerson and we have a offensive worth a chance
Dickerson is really solid and a nice fit.
i see him to the red sox, with porcello gone and price maybe to follow having a starter like that would help, i dont see them getting cole or anything for that much of a financial commitment , would be worth checking in on, but they may pump the brakes knowing that he rejected an offer already
He’s gotten shelled a couple times by the Yankees. Would love to see him end up in Boston! Him and price in the same Boston rotation would be a Christmas present for Yankees fans.
You’re basing that off of 3 games? Wow
The Red Sox are trying to shed salary not add another $20MM AAV to their already bloated payroll. I don’t see them as a fit at all
The Sox say they’re cutting salary as a negotiation strategy. I’ll believe it when I see it. Anyone of the second tier arms could go to Boston and no one should be surprised.
Exactly what kind of “negotiation strategy” might they be employing by saying they’re interested in cutting salary and then engaging a free agent like Wheeler, or any of the second tier free agent pitchers in discussions.
Are you actually saying that any of the free agent pitchers would accept less than they could get elsewhere just to play for the Sox? Any free agent is ALL ABOUT The MONEY all the time!
Talk about somewhat dilusional thinking!
Most. Not all. False statement.
BS…they’ve already proven themselves to be asleep at the wheel as always. Grandal is gone, Didi has better offers, and they’ll sign from the bottom of the barrel…pisses me off…
Who needs another Bailey?
Wow dude, you DO understand Grandal had a say in what team he signed with, right? I wish he signed with the Reds too but they can only make an offer.
Probably tried to low ball him though…I love my Reds, but it wouldn’t be the first time they’ve sat back squeezing their wallet until all of the good players are gone…js
TS, I was all for signing Grandal, but not for FOUR years. Three would’ve been as far as I’d go. Tyler Stephenson is knocking on the door, and will allow the FO to spend their $ elsewhere. For some reason, I believe the Reds are willing to spend some serious dollars in free agency. However, I understand your skepticism.
Earm, I agree. He’d have been a good get for the Reds, but I think that was an overpay.
So are a lot of other teams…..
Oops, sorry. It says that in the article. My bad…..
3.96? Pullleeezzz…let him pass. He’s hype because he pitched in NY….
And totally not because of his 3.9 K/BB ratio, 3.48 FIP, decent ability to suppress home runs in the most home run prone era of baseball, and 4+ bWAR and fWAR each of the past two seasons. He’s not Gerrit Cole, but he’s a solid #2, and high-end #3.
The Reds rotation would be nasty if they signed Wheeler! Couple that with Didi and maybe a trade with the CWS for McCann at catcher and the Reds would look pretty legit next year! They definitely need a rebound season from Votto if they want to make the playoffs no matter who they sign.
We’ll trade you McCann and Garcia for Jesse Winkler haha
They are not trading McCann.
He’s a free agent in 2021 and they have Collins. Wouldn’t surprise me.
Idk. Maybe. I just don’t think they see Collins as their future backstop. They have options. That’s a good thing.
Collins will be the White Sox’s future back up and learn from Grandal! McCann was just brought in as fill in last year. McCann had a hot start but he fell flat in the second half. The Reds are more than welcome to take McCann from the White Sox.
I don’t see Wheeler signing before Cole
While Wheeler would be a really nice commodity for the Reds, if they want to focus on pitching, I think they should be looking at relief pitching. Maybe bring in Betances and one of Will Harris, Hector Rondon, and Criag Stammen.
Like Stammen…he’s homegrown too…an hour and a half north of Cincy…
The Reds were going to be players in the free agent market last winter and then they did nothing.
I’d argue that what they actually did was wiser, rather than overpaying for free agents they did it with trades. If they get one now in wheeler they are in great shape heading into next season, in my opinion
rather than overpaying for free agents they did it with trades.
———————————————-
I felt it was just the opposite. They effectively traded Downs, Jeter, and Trammell for one season of Bauer. Instead of trading for Kemp & Puig, they’d have been better off signing a couple of one-year contracts. Players like Adam Jones..
Will people quit beating that drum. It’s tired, and inaccurate. They traded away an expensive cancer in Bailey. They had Puig for 70% of a season, and have Bauer for 130% of a season. Kemp was only in the deal so LA could avoid Luxury tax. Remember Bob saying “Get the Pitching” Wood was to be the biggest return in the trade, but he got hurt. That’s what happens in baseball.
They also traded a AAAA relief pitcher for Roark. They traded Shed Long for Gray. Overall in their trades, they got a great haul in return for what they gave up.
your point is????
Who isn’t interested in Zack Wheeler? Just another headline that doesn’t matter. Must be a slow day as they say.
And yet you clicked on the article and then commented….
it’s a slow day for commenting, as they say.
I have a feeling Reds FO may be after Wheeler now to possibly slot into the rotation in the event of a huge trade in the works with Boston. Cincinnati sends P Louis Castillo, OF Jesse Winker, prospects for OF Mookie Betts, player and or prospect.
That would be crazy. Maybe a little too much for them to give up, not sure on Castillo’s time. I think they’re either trying one last time with Votto possibly able to bounce back, or just positioning themselves to control the trade deadline. Sp’s, Rp’s, 3rd and or Senzel etc… Every team needs pitching help and with this group at least two starters and two relievers should be sought after.
Castillo is a young excellent pitcher who has a high ceiling. He’s controlled for two more years I believe and kind a reminds me of Pedro Martinez. With Boston watching their money this would be beneficial to them. And adding say a player like Jesse Winker who would be a really good DH or platoon player as well.
Why in the world would the Reds dish Castillo for one year of anyone?! Castillo has FOUR YEARS of control. A small market team to succeed absolutely has to have a stud pitcher (or two) for cheap. I am dumfounded by all of the Castillo trade questions. I don’t think there’s a safer person to not be traded.
I know the Reds have money to spend, but you would be trading away two contributors making rookie money for two guys making more than $25M AV ea. Is Betts/Wheeler such a great improvement from Castillo/Winker that you would pay $50M per year for it?
Padres… once they realize Cole ain’t coming. 5/110-115
For Reds fans paying attention, they’ve been tied to Wheeler in trade rumors for about 3 years. They really like him for some reason. We all know that they need offense but if he’s half as good as his hype it would be an amazing addition to the rotation….
But they better still get some offense
JJJ, you’re right, they’ve been hot for Wheeler for years. If they land Wheeler, would it allow them to trade pitching depth or prospects for some offense? The FA market is kinda meh.
‘Subscription required’. Aka i ain’t clickin’ it!
Castillo-Wheeler-Bauer-Gray-DiSclafani? I wouldn’t call that an “ELITE” rotation. Solid, but definitely not spectacular.
If you don’t think that’s an elite rotation, name 5 current rotations that are better.
Everybody else that’s interested has deeper pockets than the Reds
That would be an elite rotation, if it doesn’t digress… but that’s obvious. What is good about getting wheeler, is that you now have leeway, if say… bauer does bad…. then you have castillo, gray, and wheeler keeping you in 3/5 games. (BTW: I know Desclifanni is the 5 starter, but I wasn’t talking about him, he is average)
Let’s do some math. If you are competitive in 3/5 games, then that is 60% of games, and 60% of 162 is 97. Let’s then say that you lose some games with your good 3 starters, but you win some with your bad starters, so it’d stay at an even 97.
If the reds sign wheeler, I predict they win 97 games, and the division. BOLD PREDICTIONS!
I know I didn’t address the bullpen or the offense, but that’s why it’s a BOLD prediction. Don’t tell me about that.
Yes if they pick up Wheeler, OF, Didi, mayb 2nd base, LHR pitcher would b good start
The exciting thing is the Reds could do anything here, providing the players want to come to Cincy. Wheeler is a nice long term insurance policy to allow Bauer to walk after the 2020 season. If he stays, great, if not, the Reds are just fine with what’s coming up the pipeline. At C, the numbers weren’t bad between Barnhart/Casali at an approximate 5 million estimated for this season, so let’s ease off the gas that they need a catcher after all the elite ones are gone. No reason to spend there. Didi, and Moose would be good deals at 3 and 2 years respectively allowing Galvis to be an excellent utility man. If they swing a trade for someone like Marte, then all of a sudden you can do things with Senzel and make the bench even deeper than before because all the other OF options we have are solid and can allow Bell to go with whatever hand is the hottest. As far as the RP front, I’m good with staying pat and taking chances on guys like they have recently. The Reds have been excellent getting life out of traveled veterans recently along with the strong young group they currently have. If Garrett puts together a full season of dominance which I feel is more than possible and Cody Reed continues to come along, all of a sudden this is a position of strength and not a weakness. Let’s go Redlegs!!