Latest Reds rumors raise questions about progression of stymied Cincy starters

You can never have enough pitching. That cliché is repeated ad nauseam throughout every baseball fanbase year after year. But that doesn't mean it's not true. In fact, it's wildly accurate, and according to the latest Cincinnati Reds rumors, it's a phrase that president of baseball operations Nick Krall firmly believes in.

In the latest episode of the Baseball Insider's Podcast, FanSided's Robert Murray reported that Cincinnati is in the market for another starting pitcher. Murray suggested that the Reds would prefer to find a starter who'd be agreeable to a minor-league deal with a non-roster invite, but Cincy may have to settle for a major-league deal.

Wait a minute. Why in the world do the Reds need to add another starter? Cincinnati has a deep stable of starting pitchers, including Hunter Greene, Nick Lodolo, and Brady Singer. The Reds re-signed Nick Martinez and also have Graham Ashcraft, Carson Spiers, and Lyon Richardson on the 40-man roster. Even Wade Miley — who won't be ready until closer to May — is in Reds' camp this spring.

Latest Reds rumors raise questions about progression of Andrew Abbott and Rhett Lowder

But, Andrew Abbott and Rhett Lowder have both been slowed at the outset of spring training. Abbott is still recovering from the shoulder injury that put him on the shelf at the end of last season and Lowder is dealing with an elbow issue. Abbott has reportedly thrown a bullpen session, but neither pitcher is anywhere close to being ready for in-game action.

Both Brandon Williamson and Julian Aguiar are already out for the season, and while the Reds have high hopes for the likes of Chase Petty, Jose Acuña, and Chase Burns, all three are expected to begin the 2025 season in the minor leagues.

Pitchers like Kyle Gibson and Lance Lynn could be on Cincy's radar if these latest Reds rumors are accurate

So who's still available? While the list isn't a complete disaster, there aren't many pitchers on the open market that one would consider above-average. Kyle Gibson and Jose Quintana will be two names to watch, but neither is likely in that 'minor-league contract with an invite to spring training' category. It'd take a major-league pact in order to lure Gibson or Quintana to the Queen City.

One step down from Gibson and Quitana would be Lance Lynn, Zach Davies, and former Reds' pitcher Anthony DeSclafani. Again, we're not necessarily talking about the cream of the crop here. But if one or both of Abbott and Lowder begin the year on the IL, the Reds will need to find a serviceable starter to eat some inning during the early-going.

Murray said that a signing isn't imminent, but given that we're nearly a week into the Cactus League schedule, the clock is ticking. If these latest Reds rumors are true, expect Cincinnati to ink a new pitcher in the coming days.

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