3 free agents the Reds should sign immediately before big-market teams gobble them up

3. Reds should immediately sign RHP Noah Syndergaard

Some Reds fans are sure to scoff at the idea of adding Noah Syndergaard, but according to FanSided's Robert Murray during an appearance on Foul Territory, the right-hander has received interest from several clubs already this offseason.

Syndergaard is in line for a bounce-back season following an unfortunate showing in 2023. The pitcher formerly known as Thor has lost his velocity, but that's not the biggest reason Syndergaard struggled in 2023.

Syndergaard operated in the low-to-mid 90s in 2022 and put up very good numbers. During that season with the Philadelphia Phillies, Syndergaard was 10-10 with a 3.94 ERA in 130-plus innings of work.

Syndergaard has always done a good job of keeping free runners off base. Even last season, despite a hideous, 6.50 ERA, Syndergaard still had a walk-rate below 5-percent. Reds fans know all too well, walks will haunt, and having a veteran like Syndergaard who keeps the free passes to a minimum would be a nice addition.

Seeing as how Noah Syndergaard would be looking to return to form and re-enter free agency next offseason, it's a good bet that the 31-year-old would be willing to accept an incentive-laden, one-year deal.

With the Cincinnati Reds putting so much of their hopes for the future on the likes of Hunter Greene, Nick Lodolo, and Andrew Abbott, signing a starter for more than two years is a good way to inhibit the growth of their young starters.

Adding an arms like Syndergaard, Sean Manaea, or Michael Lorenzen are all temporary solutions to allow the young pitchers to continue to develop. But the Reds better hurry; other teams are going to gobble up starting pitching very quickly.