Offseason decisions ahead: a Reds FAQ
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CINCINNATI -- With the World Series over, the offseason truly begins for the Reds and the rest of Major League Baseball. Led by general manager Nick Krall, Cincinnati has several decisions to make this winter, with some big ones coming up right away.
Following an 83-win season in 2021, the Reds will have to work hard on their roster if they hope to contend again in a competitive National League Central division in 2022.
Here is information and some key dates to get you ready for the Hot Stove season:
What’s first?
Within five days of the end of the World Series, right fielder Nick Castellanos could opt out of his four-year, $64 million contract and become a free agent. He did so on Thursday, with two years and $34 million remaining on his deal.
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Who are players with club options?
Reliever Justin Wilson has a $7.15 million club option and a $2.3 million player option.
Which players are free agents?
INF Asdrúbal Cabrera, RHP Mychal Givens, RHP Michael Lorenzen
Which free agents might get a qualifying offer?
According to reports, MLB has set the qualifying offer from clubs to its free agents at $18.4 million for a one-year contract. The qualifying offer deadline is 5 p.m. ET on the fifth day after the end of the World Series.
The only potential Reds free agent who would likely get a qualifying offer was Castellanos.
Those who receive a qualifying offer have 10 days to accept or reject. If it's accepted, the one-year deal is done. If it’s rejected, teams be eligible for a compensation pick in the 2021 MLB Draft.
Who is eligible for arbitration?
Third-year eligible: RHP Luis Cessa, OF Tyler Naquin
Second-year eligible: RHP Luis Castillo, SS Kyle Farmer, LHP Amir Garrett, RHP Tyler Mahle, OF Jesse Winker
First-year eligible: RHP Jeff Hoffman, OF Nick Senzel, RHP Lucas Sims
Who might be a non-tender candidate, and when does the club have to make that decision?
The tender deadline is 8 p.m. ET on Dec. 2.
Non-tender candidates are likely Hoffman, Garrett and possibly, Aristides Aquino.
What kind of help do the Reds need, and will they be active in free agency?
Cincinnati will be pressed to replace Castellanos' production in its lineup. Improving the bullpen, which was a problem area throughout 2021, should also be a top priority.
Although the winter ahead of the 2020 season was an outlier, the Reds generally avoid making the big splash signings in the free-agent market. Any deals Krall would make in the offseason will probably be among the middle or lower tier of available players.
Who might they be willing to trade?
Krall and the Reds have generally made it known they would listen to offers for any of the organization’s players and that no one is entirely untouchable.
On Wednesday, they dealt veteran catcher Tucker Barnhart to the Tigers for Minor League third-base prospect Nick Quintana.
Because he has two years left of club control before free agency, the Reds will probably get offers for Castillo. The right-hander would instantly improve the top of several teams’ rotations. Sonny Gray, who is signed through 2022, has also drawn interest in past offseasons and is also an attractive starting pitcher.
The Reds also have two high-salaried players at third base -- each coming off poor seasons -- in Eugenio Suárez and Mike Moustakas.
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Suárez has three years and $35.6 million remaining on his contract. He hit 31 homers but had a Major League-worst .198 average. Moustakas is owed $38 million over the next two years and missed 85 games on the injured list this season while batting .208 with six homers.
Both players will not have much trade value. Trying to package them with highly desired players or prospects as a way to offload their salaries in trades would be a risky decision and a mistake.
Who needs to be added to the 40-man roster this winter to be protected from being selected in the Rule 5 Draft?
RHP Hunter Greene, OF Allan Cerda, RHP Michael Byrne, RHP James Marinan, INF Alfredo Rodriguez, C Chris Okey, LHP Brandon Finnegan, OF Narciso Crook, LHP Jacob Heatherly are among the group of eligible players.
Other key dates?
Nov. 8-11: General Managers Meeting in Carlsbad, Calif.
Nov. 19: Reserve lists for all Major League and Minor League levels must be filed by 6 p.m. ET.
Dec. 1: Collective bargaining agreement expires.
Dec. 5: Last date to outright a player prior to the Rule 5 Draft
Dec. 6-9: Winter Meetings in Orlando, Fla.
Dec. 8: Rule 5 Draft