Reds rumors: Cincinnati Reds pursuing Dallas Keuchel and A.J. Pollock

The Reds rumors have been flying fast and furious, but we haven’t seen much action. Will the Cincinnati Reds sign Dallas Keuchel? A.J. Pollock?

We’ve been hearing Reds rumors all offseason. The Cincinnati Reds have been mentioned as a potential player for almost every available starting pitcher so far this offseason. The latest rumor, from Jon Heyman of Fancred, has both Dallas Keuchel and A.J. Pollock on the Reds’ radar.

It should surprise no one that one of the best pitchers available this offseason, Dallas Keuchel, has been connected to the Cincinnati Reds. The Reds starting rotation was woefully ineffective last season and the Reds management and ownership has made acquiring help for the rotation a priority this offseason.

Reds fans are beginning to get skeptical as the offseason wanes on and no moves have been made. However, it is only December 6th and the Winter Meetings do not begin until Sunday. If Cincinnati leaves Las Vegas without an additional pitcher or two, then Reds Country can officially hit the panic button.

Anyway, since Patrick Corbin is already spoken for, and Nathan Eovaldi is off the market, it makes sense that the Reds have turned their attention to Dallas Keuchel. Keuchel went 12-11 last season with a 3.74 ERA. For his career, Keuchel is 76-63 with a 3.66 ERA.

Keuchel is a ground ball pitcher who’d fit perfectly in Great American Ball Park. Both he and J.A. Happ are still on the market and the best pitchers suited to play half their games at GABP. Although, with the Yankees missing out on Eovaldi, I expect they’ll make a run at Happ very soon.

The idea of the Cincinnati Reds going after Keuchel is a no-brainer, however, the idea that they’re interested in Pollock in a curious one. Yes, they non-tendered Billy Hamilton and now have a hole in center field. And yes, Pollock is probably the best center fielder on the market. But, is he the type of player the Reds really want to spend their money on?

They’ve toyed with the idea of moving Nick Senzel from the infield to the outfield just to get his bat in the lineup. Taylor Trammell, José Siri, and TJ Friedl are quickly vaulting up through the farm system and will be big league ready before you know it. Is it really wise to sign Pollock to a three to four year deal?

Pollock is not the ideal embodiment of a healthy Major League player either. Over the last five seasons, Pollock has played in 469 games out of a possible 820. I don’t want to overspend on a player who only makes 57% of his starts.

The Reds rumors will continue to keep coming until Reds Country finally sees some results. Every fan of the Cincinnati Reds is waiting with bated breath for the team to make their first big acquisition of the offseason. The wait will likely be over very soon.