Reds rumors: Patrick Corbin and J.A. Happ are free agency targets

The Cincinnati Reds have multiple interests in free agency. But the latest Reds rumors have them chasing Patrick Corbin and J.A. Happ.

Let the Reds rumors begin. According to Jon Morosi of MLB Network, the Cincinnati Reds are kicking the tires on several free agent starting pitchers. Morosi’s sources say that Patrick Corbin and J.A. Happ are high on the Reds’ list.

Everyone who watched the Cincinnati Reds last season knows that an upgrade in starting pitching is a must. Luis Castillo, and maybe Anthony DeSclafani, are the only pitchers currently on the roster who are guaranteed to be part of the starting rotation next season.

The Reds brass has been adamant that they’re going to get the pitching this offseason. Now, while some Reds fans may be skeptical of that because of the team’s reluctance to spend money in the past, Morosi’s recent report is a breath of fresh air.

Patrick Corbin is likely to be the No. 1 target of any team scouring the free agent market for starting pitching. Corbin, a lefty, went 11-7 last season with the Arizona Diamondbacks. Corbin’s ERA was a respectable 3.15, the lowest of his career.

Corbin threw 200 innings through 33 games, including a shutout complete game against the San Francisco Giants. Corbin had 246 strikeouts on the season, including four outing of double-digit punchouts.

Corbin would be the undisputed ace of the Cincinnati Reds’ pitching staff if Bob Castellini, Dick Williams, and company were able to lure him to the Queen City. However, Corbin will cost a pretty penny, as most speculate he’d be looking at a nine-figure contract.

The other pitcher mentioned in Morosi’s report is interesting. J.A. Happ, who went 17-6 with the Toronto Blue Jays and New York Yankees last season is a veteran left-hander who’s also capable of solidifying the Reds’ starting rotation.

Happ went 10-6 with the Blue Jays before a midseason trade to the Bronx. Once apart of the Yankees, Happ went undefeated in the regular season with a record of 7-0 and a 2.69 ERA. Could Happ bring some of that same magic to Cincinnati? One thing is for sure, he’d come a whole lot cheaper than Corbin.

These Reds rumors make for fun speculation and there’s sure more to come. It interesting to see the Reds go after some big names like Corbin and Happ and not just settle for a Jeremy Hellickson or Jaime Garcia. We’ll keep you updated right here at Blog Red Machine as more Reds rumors fly out of the Hot Stove.