Cincinnati Reds: 3 things Nick Krall must do first in his new role

1. Decide on a starting shortstop for the Reds heading into 2021.

While most fans would disagree and claim that signing Trevor Bauer should be the team’s No. 1 priority this offseason, I tend to disagree. Bauer was phenomenal this past season and should win the NL Cy Young Award. However, that type of performance, while impressive, should not force the Reds into a corner and, in turn, a bidding war for Bauer’s services in 2021. More on that later.

If there was one position that looks like a giant blackhole heading into next season, it’s not the starting pitching, it’s shortstop. The Cincinnati Reds tried many different players at the position in 2020, even José García, who proved that he needs more seasoning at the minor-league level in order to be a threat versus major league pitching.

Looking at the free agent market, there’s a few options. Didi Gregorius probably tops the list and there’s a chance that José Iglesias could be available if his team option is not picked up. There are two trade options as well. With Francisco Lindor and Trevor Story entering the final year of their contracts, both could be on the move this winter.

As far as in-house candidates are concerned, you’d have to look at Kyle Farmer. The former Georgia Bulldog could be a nice stopgap at the position until García is ready for the big stage, but the versatile infielder provides little in terms of offense.

Figuring out who will man the shortstop position heading into next season should be atop Nick Krall’s list. There are many options available, however, it’s unclear which route the Reds will choose to take.

2. Make a run at Reds ace Trevor Bauer.

Again, I know the majority of you will disagree and claim that re-signing Bauer should take top priority, but I disagree. Yes, he’s a phenomenal pitcher, but I have to believe when the Cincinnati Reds made the deal last summer to acquire the right-hander that it was for 2020, not beyond. Bauer is going to cost a pretty penny, and unless it’s for a one-year deal, the Reds should pass.

Bauer is going to sign a contract with an average annual value of at least $35M. Should he go the route of signing a one-year deal, that amount may be even more. However, Bauer’s agent recently stated that they’ll entertain all offers regardless of whether it’s a short-term or long-term deal. If it’s the latter, Cincinnati let the other teams battle for Bauer’s services.

Given how much Bob Castellini and the Cincinnati Reds ownership invested in the team last season, it’s really hard to see the club going all-in once again this winter. They’ve already got a boatload of money tied up in Joey Votto, Nick Castellanos and Mike Moustakas. Plus, fellow starting pitcher Luis Castillo is up for arbitration, and hopefully a contract extension, this winter.

The Reds have a lot of talented pitchers at the minor league level as well. Are Nick Lodolo and Hunter Greene ready to make the leap The Show? That’s debatable, but Tyler Mahle, Michael Lorenzen and Tejay Antone are options to fill in as starting pitchers in 2021.

Yes, the Reds should make an attempt to re-sign Trevor Bauer. But, they should tread lightly. We’ve seen what big contracts like Votto’s have done to the Reds in the past. That said, if Bauer and the Reds can come to a deal that’s mutually beneficial, Nick Krall should make it happen.

3. Add depth to the Reds depleted farm system.

The Cincinnati Reds rank as the 24th-best farm system in the major leagues according to MLB.com. That cannot continue. It’s likely that José García and Tyler Stephenson become permanent fixtures in the Reds lineup by the middle of next season and Nick Lodolo could join them as well. That will weaken Cincinnati’s farm system even more.

After trading away highly-regarded prospects like Taylor Trammell, Jeter Downs, Josiah Gray, Shed Long, Stuart Fairchild and Packy Naughton, Cincinnati’s cupboard is bare. The additions of youngsters like Austin Hendrick, Rece Hinds and Tyler Callihan will help the Reds standing among other clubs once they start to see more time on the field. All three are 20-years old or younger.

There’s two ways to replenish the farm system; evaluate and draft good talent or evaluate another team’s talent and swing a trade. The past few drafts have been kind to the Cincinnati Reds. Four of their Top 10 players, according to MLB Pipeline, were taken in the past two drafts.

Former first-round pick Hunter Greene was on hand at Prasco Park this past season, as were fellow first-rounders Nick Lodolo and Jonathan India. The Reds 2020 draft pick, Austin Hendrick, is ranked as the third best player in the Cincinnati farm system, but we’re likely looking at another three to four seasons before he, along with Tyler Callihan and Rece Hinds are major league-ready.

A trade is the more expedient way to replenish the farm system, and it’s certainly an avenue that Nick Krall could explore, though I don’t think it’s very likely. The Reds have played their hand, adding free agents and making trades over the past few years with eyes towards this window of time.

It’s hard to see the Cincinnati Reds making a deal that would subtract from their current roster, but it’s possible. The Reds are a smaller market franchise that cannot afford to get sucked into poor spending habits and forgo the future. I can’t foresee the front office making many earth-shattering trades this offseason that would further erode their farm system.