Reds rumors: Cincinnati showing interest in hard-throwing Ryne Stanek

Our latest Reds rumors suggest Cincinnati may be after Ryne Stanek.

With the offseason upon us, we’re sure to be seeing a ton of Reds rumors in the coming weeks. While most of the rumors surrounding the Cincinnati Reds of late have centered around trading Sonny Gray, our latest tidbit from The Athletics’ C. Trent Rosecrans suggests the front office is looking to add hard-throwing right-hander Ryne Stanek.

Stanek spent last season with the Miami Marlins and his numbers were not overly impressive. Stanek posted a 7.20 ERA in nine appearances out of the Miami bullpen covering 10 innings. The right-hander struck out 10 batters and walked eight.

Prior to last season, with both the Marlins and Tampa Bay Rays, Ryne Stanek put together an impressive résumé with 199 strikeouts over 163.1 innings of work while posting a 3.80 ERA. Stanek was non-tendered by the Marlins earlier this offseason.

Rosecrans mentions in his post to Twitter that though Stanek struggled with his command last season, the former University of Arkansas standout throws hard and misses. Sounds like the Reds type of pitcher, right?

Furthermore, Stanek fits the mold of what Nick Krall and the Cincinnati Reds front office is looking for in terms of a reliever. Krall mentioned earlier this offseason that he’d be on the lookout for bullpen arms that have minor-league options remaining. Stanek not only has an option remaining, but he’s under team control through the 2023 season.

Stanke has some giddy-up to his fastball. According to Baseball Savant, Stanek finished in the 97th percentile in terms of fastball velocity. FanGraphs calculated Stanek’s average fastball velocity at 96-MPH, but the former first-round pick can light up the radar gun with a triple-digit heater if necessary.

After dismissing right-handed reliever Archie Bradley and trading closer Raisel to the Los Angeles Angels, the back end of the Cincinnati bullpen is looking quite bare. There’s also the possibility that the Reds could insert Michael Lorenzen into the starting rotation, leaving Amir Garrett and Lucas Sims in the most experienced relievers in the bullpen.

Ryne Stanek is not necessarily closer material, but the 29-year-old does have one save to his credit. However, if these latest Reds rumors are true and Cincinnati is able to sign Stanek, he’d be a solid addition to the back of the bullpen.