3 mid-tier free agents the Reds could sign at the MLB Winter Meetings

2. The Reds could target free agent LHP Drew Smyly during the MLB Winter Meetings.

There has been a lot of rumblings about the Cincinnati Reds need to just go all-in with their young group of starting pitchers. After all, during a rebuilding season, shouldn't the Reds see what they have in the form of Brandon Williamson, Levi Stoudt, and others?

While that line of thinking isn't irrational, fans saw last season how the trio of Tyler Mahle, Luis Castillo, and Mike Minor helped balance out Nick Lodolo, Hunter Greene, and Graham Ashcraft. Reds Country should expect the front office to add at least one veteran starter this offseason to help shoulder the load.

Drew Smyly has been a solid, yet unspectacular starter throughout his major league career. The left-handed has played for seven different franchises throughout his career and was part of a World Championship team in 2021.

Smyly has a career-ERA of 4.10, but posted a 3.47 ERA in 22 starts last season for the Chicago Cubs. At 33 years old, Smyly no longer relies on top-end velocity and his strikeout numbers have been down the last two seasons (8.0 K/9).

But during that same span, Drew Smyly has posted a solid 105 ERA+ and 1.292 WHIP. If the Cincinnati Reds are looking for a solid, veteran starter, the former second-round pick out of the University of Arkansas could fit the bill.