Reds: 3 players Cincinnati wishes were still on the roster for 2021

2. Former Reds pitcher Kevin Gausman

The decision regarding right-hander Kevin Gausman was not nearly as simple for the Cincinnati Reds front office. Claimed off waivers from the Atlanta Braves in August of 2019, Gausman produced solid numbers as a Redleg to close the 2019 season.

Appearing in 15 games, including one as a starter, Gausman went 0-2 with a 4.03 ERA, but fanned 29 batters in just 22.1 innings, while allowing just five free passes. Producing a 3.17 FIP and 117 ERA+, there was much to like regarding the seven-year veteran. As always, the decision came down to economics.

Gausman earned a $9.35M deal in his second year of arbitration eligibility for the 2019 season. Projected to earn approximately $10.6M for the 2020 season, the salary appeared to be excessive for a club that didn’t have a defined role for him. As a result, on December 2, 2019, the Reds failed to tender Gausman a contract making him a free agent.

Signing a one-year/$9M contract with the San Francisco Giants, Gausman once again established himself as a quality major league starting pitcher. Making 12 appearances, including 10 as a starter, Gausman went 3-3 with a 3.62 ERA for the Giants. Tossing 59 frames he whiffed 79 opposing hitters.

His quality 2020 season warranted a qualifying offer from the Giants for the 2021 season which Gausman accepted. He’ll be the proud recipient of an $18.9M contract for next season. This leads to the question; what did the Reds do with the money they saved on Gausman for the 2020 season?

They gave left-hander Wade Miley a two-year deal paying him $14M with a team option for the 2022 season. During an injury-plagued debut season in the Queen City, Miley made just four starts going 0-3 with a 5.65 ERA in only 14.1 innings. Needless to say, the Cincinnati Reds front office whiffed on a decision in which they had complete control.