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

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.

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.