Reds: Top free agency priorities for Nick Krall after 2021 season

2. Nick Krall and the Reds should exercise Wade Miley’s team-option.

This one should be much easier for Cincinnati Reds General Manager Nick Krall. Where Nick Castellanos has the opt out after the season, the Redlegs have the opportunity to welcome Wade Miley back with open arms. The Reds can exercise a $10M team-option and keep Miley in the Queen City for the 2022 season.

That price is a bargain for what Miley brings to the table. Miley has been Cincinnati’s best starting pitcher this season, and frankly, it’s not even close. Miley is seventh in the league in ERA (2.89) and owns a no-hitter on the season.

Believe it or not, Wade Miley has the fourth-highest WAR (6.4) among all major league players this season. Only Los Angeles Angels’ pitcher and likely AL MVP, Shohei Ohtani (7.9), Toronto Blue Jays’ hurler and likely AL Cy Young Award-winner Robbie Ray (6.7), and Philadelphia Phillies pitcher and likely NL Cy Young Award-winner Zack Wheeler (6.7) have a higher WAR than Miley this season.

Ray signed a one-year/$8M deal last offseason and the average annual value on Wheeler’s contract is $23.6M. I think Nick Krall the Cincinnati Reds would do well to retain Miley’s services for the $10M price tag.

Wade Miley will be entering his age-35 season in 2022, so by no means should the Reds invest in the left-hander long-term. But securing Miley for next season as a solid veteran who could also mentor top prospects Hunter Greene and Nick Lodolo would be a wise move on the part of Krall and the Cincinnati brass.