What to watch for: Reds offseason FAQ
CINCINNATI -- The offseason business of baseball, a.k.a. Hot Stove season, is up and running for all clubs. The Reds have plenty of decisions to make ahead of them.
After president of baseball operations Dick Williams resigned on Oct. 7, general manager Nick Krall remained and was promoted to head of baseball operations, while retaining his title. Krall has plenty of work on his agenda as Cincinnati tries to take the next step following an early exit from its first postseason since 2013.
• 5 key questions facing Reds this offseason
Here is information to help guide you into the winter:
Which players are free agents?
Right-handers Trevor Bauer, Anthony DeSclafani and Tyler Thornburg, and shortstop/second baseman Freddy Galvis are free agents. Outfielder Nick Castellanos will not become a free agent after he exercised his 2021 option, the second year in the four-year, $64 million contract he signed in January.
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Which free agents got a qualifying offer?
The qualifying offer from clubs to its free agents is $18.9 million for a one-year contract (the average salary of the 125 top-paid players in 2020). The only Reds free agent who was extended a QO by the deadline was righty Trevor Bauer.
Bauer has 10 days from the Nov. 1 deadline to accept or reject the offer. If he accepts, the one-year deal is done. If it’s rejected, teams are eligible for a compensation pick in the 2021 MLB Draft if he signs with another team.
Who is eligible for arbitration?
RHP Archie Bradley (third year), C Curt Casali (third), RHP Luis Castillo (first), IF Kyle Farmer (first), LHP Amir Garrett (first), OF Brian Goodwin (second), RHP Michael Lorenzen (fourth), RHP Tyler Mahle (first), RHP Robert Stephenson (first), OF/DH Jesse Winker (first)
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Who might be a non-tender candidate, and when does the club have to make that decision?
The tender deadline is Dec. 2. Non-tender candidates were LHP Jesse Biddle, RHP Matt Bowman, DH/IF Matt Davidson and outfielder Travis Jankowski. But they were already cleared from the 40-man roster when the organization sent them outright to Triple-A Louisville.
When was the deadline to reinstate players from the 45- or 60-day injured list?
Five days after the World Series.
When is the Rule 5 Draft protection deadline?
Nov. 20.
Who needs to be added to the 40-man roster this winter to avoid the Rule 5 Draft on Dec. 10?
Left-hander Reiver Sanmartin, right-handers Vladimir Gutierrez (the Reds' No. 17 prospect per MLB Pipeline), Dauri Moreta, Riley O’Brien (No. 16), Mac Sceroler and Jared Solomon (No. 29), shortstops Miguel Hernandez and Alfredo Rodriguez (No. 19), infielder Debby Santana and outfielder TJ Friedl (No. 21) will need protection from the Rule 5 Draft.