Reds: 5 non-tender candidates Cincinnati could target this offseason

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MIAMI, FLORIDA – JULY 16: Jose Urena #62 of the Miami Marlins delivers a pitch during an intrasquad game. The Reds could pursue Urena this winter. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /

There will be a bevy of free agents for the Reds to go after following the non-tender deadline.

The deadline for teams to tender contracts to arbitration and pre-arbitration eligible players is December 2nd. Given the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic, it’s likely we’re going to see a record number of players non-tendered this offseason. Who are a few non-tender candidates the Cincinnati Reds may be keeping an eye on in the coming weeks?

Before we look at the specific players, I think it’s important to look at the needs. We’ve already heard Reds General Manager Nick Krall state that shortstop and pitching are the team’s top priorities entering this offseason.

With Freddy Galvis now a free agent, as well as the potential loss of starting pitchers Anthony DeSclafani and Trevor Bauer, Cincinnati may need more than what the farm system can provide. José García has the look of a future big league shortstop, but his bat is well behind his glove. The Reds have two top tier starters (Luis Castillo and Sonny Gray), but will need more from their starting staff.

Needless to say the Cincinnati outfield should not need to be addressed this winter. After the additions of right-handed slugger Nick Castellanos and Gold Glove-finalist Shogo Akiyama last offseason, it’s unlikely the Reds would sign another outfielder.

The infield, sans shortstop, is pretty well stocked up as well, and there’s no need for Krall to go hunting for another backstop this offseason. So, with a focus on shortstop and pitching, let’s take a look at five potential non-tender candidates the Cincinnati Reds should look at this winter.

BOSTON, MA – SEPTEMBER 22: Matt Barnes #32 of the Boston Red Sox pitches. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) /

1. Matt Barnes would fill a need in the Reds bullpen.

A former first-round pick of the Boston Red Sox in 2011, Matt Barnes may well be on his way out of Bean Town. The right-handed hurler could definitely fill a need in the Cincinnati Reds bullpen, especially if Michael Lorenzen becomes part of the starting rotation next season.

Last season, Barnes went 1-3 with a 4.30 ERA in 23 innings. Barnes posted nine saves, but blew four saves. While the first part of the 2020 season was unkind to Matt Barnes, he more than made up for it over the final month of the season.

It’s hard to put a lot of stock into the limited playing time a lot of relievers endured during the pandemic-shortened 60-game season. Over his final 11 games during the month of September, Barnes earned six saves while tossing 10 innings of work and struck out 15 of the 41 batters he faced. Barnes put up a 2.70 ERA over the final month of the season and allowed opponents to hit just .189.

With the Reds unlikely to meet Trevor Bauer’s contract demands, it seems more and more plausible that Cincinnati will look internally to fill the vacancy in the rotation. Lorenzen or Tejay Antone appear to be the leading candidates. If that is the case, Nick Krall will need to find a suitable replacement in the bullpen.

According to MLB Trade Rumors, in the final year of his arbitration window, Barnes is expected to take home between $3.7M-$5.7M. That’s a high price for a team that is likely looking to rebuild following a last-place finish in 2020.

SAN DIEGO, CA – AUGUST 20: Danny Santana #38 of the Texas Rangers looks on during the game. (Photo by Rob Leiter/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /

2. Danny Santana could be added to the Reds infield.

Danny Santana appeared in just 15 games during the 2020 season and was quite unimpressive. Following a breakout campaign in 2019, Santana slashed just .145/.238/.273 last season. However, it’s hard to make a judgment based on just a 15-game span. Santana’s 2019 season was career-best for the 30-year-old.

Santana, who garnered some Rookie of the Year votes back in 2013 while a member of the Minnesota Twins had several inconsistent seasons from 2014-2018. During that four-year span, Santana’s batting average was sitting at a dismal .219 and his OPS+ of 55 was not appealing at all.

However, in 2019, Danny Santana appeared to turn a corner, turning in a slash line of .283/.324/.534 with 23 doubles and a career-high 28 home runs. His .857 OPS led the Texas Rangers that year.

Santana offers a lot of flexibility. Last season, Santana played first base as well as left and center field. The previous season, Danny Santana played virtually every position expect pitcher and catcher. Having a versatile defender who’s also a switch-hitter with power seems like a perfect candidate to play in David Bell’s system.

The Cincinnati Reds need to find better defense throughout the infield. Kyle Farmer, a utility player in his own right, may have provided the best defense on the team last season. While another utility infielder is not the best solution to cure Cincinnati’s defensive woes, should the Reds go into the eighth or ninth inning with a lead, having a player like Santana could be very advantageous.

DETROIT, MI – JULY 31: Niko Goodrum #28 of the Detroit Tigers throws a baseball during the game against the Cincinnati Reds. (Photo by Mark Cunningham/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /

3. Niko Goodrum would fill the Reds hole at shortstop.

Niko Goodrum is a solid defensive shortstop with decent pop in his bat. In 43 games for the Detroit Tigers last season, Goodrum was not up to par. The switch-hitter slashed .184/.263/.335 with only five home runs and 20 RBIs. Goodrum is estimated to take home about $1.6M via arbitration, which may be a bit too rich for the Tigers’ blood.

Enter the Cincinnati Reds, who are nothing short of desperate to add a shortstop this offseason. The problem the Reds face that those who are currently available are likely out of Cincinnati’s price range. Andrelton Simmons, Didi Gregorius, and Marcus Semien are all likely to take home eight-figure deals.

With Cincinnati’s current financial outlook for 2021 likely to put the payroll around $130M, it’s hard to see Nick Krall and the Reds front office chasing one of those free agent targets. A player like Goodrum, however, may come much cheaper and the Reds have the luxury of offering him a boatload of playing time.

Freddy Galvis is a free agent, José García needs more seasoning in the minor leagues, and the team’s best in-house option is former catcher Kyle Farmer. Now, I’m a huge fan of Farmer, but if the Reds go into 2021 with Farmer as their primary shortstop, the front office has failed miserably.

It’s quite possible that Niko Goodrum is on the Detroit Tigers Opening day roster. The past two seasons, Goodrum put up a .745 OPS and played visually every position on the field. Goodrum’s 38.5% strikeout-rate, according to FanGraphs, could be cause for concern. But, at this point, the Reds cannot afford to be choosy.

MIAMI, FLORIDA – SEPTEMBER 17: Jose Urena #62 of the Miami Marlins delivers a pitch. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /

4. The Reds could add José Ureña to the starting rotation.

A questionable addition to be sure, but José Ureña may very well be let go by the Miami Marlins, and the Cincinnati Reds should be waiting to pounce if that happens. Ureña is probably most famous for hitting Atlanta Braves star Ronald Acuna Jr. on the very pitch during a game in 2018. Ureña has some serious giddy-up to his fastball.

The Reds are likely to lose both Trevor Bauer and Anthony DeSclafani to free agency. The latest rumors suggest that Sonny Gray may be dealt this offseason as well. If that happens, Cincinnati would be looking at the likes of Michael Lorenzen, Tejay Antone, and Tony Santillan to help fill out their starting rotation.

Ureña has fallen on hard times. The right-hander, who’d started on Opening Day for the Marlins in 2017 and 2018, was moved to the bullpen in 2019 and made just five starts during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season.

Ureña has control issues, as evidenced by leading the league in hit batsmen twice during his young career. This past season, Ureña’s walk-rate hit a career-high of 12.5% according to FanGraphs. José Ureña is projected by MLB Trade Rumors to make between $3.8M-$4.2M. I can’t see the Marlins forking over that kind of cash. Look for Ureña to hit the open market.

But why would the Cincinnati Reds want an erratic pitcher who’s out of minor league options? That’s a good question, and taking on Ureña would definitely be a gamble, but Derek Johnson has done wonders in the past. This would be a reclamation project with the potential payoffs to be quite good.

PITTSBURGH, PA – AUGUST 07: Joe Jimenez #77 of the Detroit Tigers walks off the field after giving up a three run home run. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) /

5. Joe Jiménez has the stuff to be the Reds closer.

Joe Jiménez is estimated by MLB Trade Rumors to earn between $1M-$1.7M next season. Following a disastrous 2020 season and the Detroit Tigers in full-on rebuild mode, perhaps Jiménez is let go. If that happens, the Reds should jump at the opportunity to bring Jiménez to the Queen City.

After back-to-back above-average seasons in Detroit, 2020 did not treat Jiménez too kindly. The right-hander went 1-3 in 22.2 innings or work while striking out just 22 batters and posting a 7.15 ERA. Ouch!

Jiménez, however, is no slouch. The 25-year-old is a strikeout machine, owning a career strikeout-rate of 27.5% according to FanGraphs. This past season, Jiménez lowered his walk-rate from 8.9% to 5.9%, but unfortunately his strikeout-rate took a tumble as well, dropping from 31.9% (2019) to 21.8% (2020).

Joe Jiménez has closer stuff. The right-hander has 17 career saves to his credit and earned five of them last season. Jiménez is a three-pitcher hurler who relies mainly on a fastball/ slider combo. He also peppers in a changeup on occasion as well.

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With Raisel Iglesias and Archie Bradley both slated to become free agents following next season, the Reds would do well to find their closer of the future. Jiménez is arbitration eligible for the first time this offseason, meaning he has three years of club-control left. Jiménez also have two minor league options remaining.

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