1 reason why Reds' reunion with Sonny Gray could work and 3 reasons why it won't

Sonny Gray is bound to be one of the most popular free agent pitchers once the offseason officially begins. The three-time All-Star will hit the open market with a bevy suitors following one of the best seasons of his career.

Gray went 8-8 over 32 starts and posted an ERA of 2.79 with a 1.15 WHIP and 24.3-percent strikeout-rate. Gray will likely finish, at least in the Top 5, and perhaps the Top 3 in the AL Cy Young voting.

After all the troubles the Cincinnati Reds starting rotation endured in 2023, the front office will surely be looking to add to the team's pitching staff this offseason. Is Gray a good candidate to target this offseason? Let's look at the pluses and minuses when it comes to pursuing a reunion with Gray this winter.

The Reds have the money to sign Sonny Gray to a long-term contract

Sonny Gray told reporters following the Minnesota Twins' loss in the ALDS that, "Money is not the ultimate factor for me. Never has been." And all of the sudden Bob Castellini's ears perked up, right?

The Cincinnati Reds have never been shy about their tight-fisted approach to free agency. And the one time that Castellini opened up his wallet during the offseason, the Reds were left with $84-million invested into Shogo Akiyama and Mike Moustakas. Yikes!

Gray, while he may take a discount in order to find a situation he likes, isn't going to play for free. But money should not be the ultimate factor when it comes to a possible reunion between the Reds and Gray this offseason.

The only money Cincinnati has committed to the 2024 campaign is the $3-million owed to Hunter Greene. Aside from that, MLB Trade Rumors estimates that the Reds could be on the hook for about $18.6-million next season for their eight arbitration-eligible players.

A good number to look at would be the three-year/$63-million deal that Chris Bassitt signed last year with the Toronto Blue Jays. While $20-million per year seems like a lot, the Cincinnati Reds have very little money committed to the payroll for the next three seasons.