2 Reds needs that must be addressed at the MLB Winter Meetings, 1 that can wait

The Reds need to add a platoon outfielder during the MLB Winter Meetings

There's a lot of talk throughout Reds Country about the team's need to acquire a big bat; preferably a player who hits from the right side and plays the outfield. Now, I'm not going to scoff at that idea. Who wouldn't love to see a Teoscar Hernandez or Jorge Soler in a Cincinnati Reds uniform?

But let's not pretend as if the Reds don't already have some big right-handed hitting bats in the everyday lineup heading into next season. Matt McLain, Christian Encarnacion-Strand, and Spencer Steer can all easily eclipse 20 home runs playing half their games at Great American Ball Park in 2024.

Let's not forget Noelvi Marte, who could very well be in that conversation as well. Then there's also Elly De La Cruz, who, while he struggled against left-handed pitching, can hit from both sides of the plate.

Nope, the Reds don't need that 20-30 home run per season masher, but rather a platoon outfielder that the club can pair with the left-handed hitting duo of Will Benson and Jake Fraley would be just fine.

Randal Grichuk, Michael A. Taylor, or Adam Duvall (S/O to our friend Alan Cutler at ESPN Radio 1300 WLXG) would all be relatively inexpensive, play above-average defense, and can hit left-handed pitching.

But while the rest of the baseball world is enamored with acquiring starting pitching at this year's MLB Winter Meetings, Cincinnati Reds President of Baseball Operations Nick Krall should find the best right-handed hitting platoon bat available and ink him to a one-year deal.

The Reds can wait to add another starting pitcher

The Cincinnati Reds may not be done adding starting pitching to their 2024 roster, but Nick Krall doesn't need to rush to address it. In fact, after adding Nick Martinez, that need has become a lot less glaring than it was just last week.

Does that mean that the Reds should abandon their pursuit of a free agent starter or end trade talks for a pitcher like Tyler Glasnow or Dylan Cease? No, not at all. But the Reds already added a pitcher who can help the rotation in 2024.

Martinez will likely slot into the No. 4 or No. 5 spot in the Reds 2024 starting rotation and be flanked by Andrew Abbott and Graham Ashcraft with Hunter Greene and Nick Lodolo operating as Cincinnati's frontline starters.

If that's the case, the Reds would have Brandon Williamson and Connor Phillips, and perhaps even Levi Stoudt, Carson Spiers, and Lyon Richardson getting their reps in down in Triple-A. That's 10 pitchers who could legitmately be in Cincinnati's rotation at some point next season.

There are other teams who are much more desperate for starting pitching that will be willing to pay through the nose for it during the MLB Winter Meetings. The St. Louis Cardinals already doled out a ton of cash to Lance Lynn, Sonny Gray, and Kyle Gibson, while the Los Angeles Dodgers have sat on their hands to begin the offseason.

Michael Wacha and Seth Lugo are two names to watch. If the MLB Winter Meetings pass and those two players are still available, don't be shocked to see the Reds make a play for one of former San Diego Padres' hurlers as the offseason progresses.

Make no mistake, you'll see plenty of free agent deals for starters this week. While the Reds should not be immune to kicking the tires on a few potential additions, there's no pressing need to get a deal done this week.