3 Reds free agent targets who are likely to have Qualifying Offer attached to signing

1 of 3

Qualifying Offers are due to be doled out in the coming days, and that may greatly affect how teams, including the Cincinnati Reds, pursue free agents this offseason.

It's not really in the Reds' DNA to sign a player that has rejected a Qualifying Offer. Why? Because signing a player that has a QO attached to his signing requires that team to forfeit a draft pick.

The Reds would lose their third-highest selection in the 2024 MLB Draft if they sign a player who's rejected a Qualifying Offer. While it seems unlikely, the Reds may be tempted if the right player becomes available.

1. The Reds could target Sonny Gray in free agency

This is a popular name among the Reds fanbase because of familiarity. There are some fans throughout Reds Country who never wanted to see Sonny Gray traded back in 2022, but the early returns on Chase Petty look very nice.

However, it stands to reason that a pitcher who's likley to finish among the Top 5 in the AL Cy Young vote would draw the interest of a team like the Reds who are deperate to find a reliable starter this offseason.

After a stellar season for the Minnesota Twins, Sonny Gray will have a lot of suitors this winter. The St. Louis Cardinals have been mentinoed early and often as a possible destination and there's every reason to believe that Gray may look to stay in the Land of 10,000 Lakes.

Sonny Gray's familiartiy with the Reds organization and his affinity for pitching coach Derek Johnson are two big reasons that Cincinnati could be on the right-hander's shortlist as he and his representation begin fielding offers this offseason.

There isn't much more the Reds need to do in terms of due diligence, as Gray was in the organization for several seasons. Gray's 48-percent ground ball-rate is certainly something that could pique the Reds' interest, but the veteran may not be worth the hefty contract and the draft compensation attached to the Qualifying Offer.

2. The Reds could target Eduardo Rodriguez in free agency

Eduardo Rodriguez may be a bit of a pipe dream for the Cincinnati Reds, but it's not completely out of the question. While left-handers like Jordan Montgomery cannot be extended a Qualifying Offer, Rodriguez most certainly can.

Rodriguez had an up-and-down 2023 campaign, and rather than accepting a trade to the Los Angeles Dodgers at the deadline, the southpaw exercised his no-trade clause and remained with the Detriot Tigers.

The left-hander is sure receive a hefty payday in free agency. According to Spotrac, Rodriguez may be able to take home upwards of $20-million per season.

With a 3.30 ERA and 143 punch outs in 152.2 innings pitched, Rodriguez is sure to be high on the list of many baseball executives this offseason. In fact, there's a chance that Rodriguez may even renegotiate a deal to stay in the Motor City.

Before being extended a Qualifying Offer, Eduardo Rodriguez must first opt out of his current contract. With the QO and his expected market to be higher than the $18-million salary on his curreny contract, it stands to reason why Rodriguez would opt out of his deal.

3. The Reds could target Teoscar Hernandez in free agency

Teoscar Hernandez is another name that many within the Cincinnati Reds fanbase are clamoring for this offseason. There's a growing desire throughout Reds Country to see the front office find a right-handed hitting slugger this winter.

And there's certainly merit to the idea. Though Will Benson and Jake Fraley both had success last season, the majority of their damage came against right-handed pitching. Adding a right-handed bat to help balance out the Reds lineup is certainly something to consider.

Hernandez didn't have the best year for the Seattle Mariners in 2023, but his services will still be coveted this winter. Hernandez is arguably the best power-hitting outfielder on the open market, and the M's are likely to extend a Qualifying Offer to the 31-year-old.

Hernandez has massive pop in his bat, but there's a lot of swing and miss as well. Hernandez posted a 31.1-percent strikeout-rate in 2023 which ranked among the worst in Major League Baseball according to Baseball Savant.

Signing Teoscar Hernandez is certainly a possibility. But if the Cincinnati Reds doled out a huge contract to a right-handed hitting outfielder, he's sure to be a regular in David Bell's lineup, not a platoon option. That doesn't seem to fit this Reds roster as currently constructed.

manual

Home / Reds News