3 positions the Reds must address during free agency

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Although the World Series is in full swing, the many fans throughout Reds Country have turned their attention toward the offseason.

The Cincinnati Reds were virtually non-competitive in 2022 and not much is likely to change in 2023 as the team looks to allow their young prospects to shine with increased playing time.

But that doesn't mean that Cincinnati's front office won't or shouldn't invest in a few affordable free agents this winter. Which three positions are most in need of an upgrade through free agency?

1. The Cincinnati Reds must add a veteran outfielder in free agency.

The Cincinnati Reds outfield is a gigantic question mark heading into next season. Will Nick Senzel be healthy? If so, will he still be in center field? Did Aristides Aquino do enough to secure a spot on the 40-man roster or will he be DFA'd? Are Jake Fraley, TJ Friedl, and Stuart Farichild more than just platoon outfielders?

With so many questions, the Cincinnati front office needs to come up with an answer or two via free agency. Last season it was Tommy Pham who was inked to a one-year deal and then traded at the deadline. The year before, Tyler Naquin joined the Reds in spring and played a key role in the team's 2021 winning season.

It's unlikely that the Reds will chase any big-name free agents. So don't hold your breath waiting from Aaron Judge or Brandon Nimmo to be signed by the Reds this offseason. But a player like Ben Gamel, Corey Dickerson, or Robbie Grossman could be intriguing to the Redlegs.

The Reds outfield depth in the minor leagues is concerning. Most of the talented prospects are currently in High-A or even Low-A. With so few top-shelf prospects, Cincinnati should look to add at least one free agent outfielder this offseason.

2. The Cincinnati Reds must add a veteran catcher in free agency.

This will be a topic of conversation throughout Reds Country until Tucker Barnhart is brought back to Cincinnati or the front office re-signs Austin Romine. Whether you want to see the Reds and Barnhart reunite, or your team Curt Casali, or whatever, every fan can agree that signing a backup catcher in free agency is a must for Cincinnati this offseason.

Barnhart, Casali, or Romine would all be better options than the mess that the Reds trotted onto the field this past season. Romine was a late-addition to the party, but with Tyler Stephenson hitting the IL on three separate occasions this past season, David Bell was forced to play the likes of Michael Papierski and Aramis Garcia behind the dish.

The catcher position is arguably the most important in all of baseball. While every fan wishes that their team's catcher could be Mike Piazza, the reality is that a catcher must play above-average defense, call a good game, and every so often send a ball over the fence.

Stephenson will be the Cincinnati Reds starting catcher, but the front office needs to find a capable backup who can carry the load for 50-plus games in 2023. Whether it's any of the aforementioned free agent backstops or a player like Austin Hedges, the Reds need to sign a backup catcher during the offseason.

3. The Cincinnati Reds must add a veteran starter in free agency.

Some fans will scoff at the idea of adding a veteran starting pitcher, but the Cincinnati Reds cannot go into the 2023 season with four second-year pitchers and a rookie. As it stands now, the Reds starting rotation would likely be comprised of Hunter Greene, Graham Ashcraft, Nick Lodolo, Connor Overton, and Brandon Williamson.

Obviously Justin Dunn and Luis Cessa could be in the mix, but neither was wildly effective as a starter in 2023. Dunn struggled with injuries, and it's very possible that Cessa could return to the bullpen. Levi Stoudt is also in the mix.

Last season, the Reds chose to trade for Mike Minor during the spring. With so many young arms in the rotation, the idea was that Minor could eat some innings and spare the young arms who've barely pitched more than 100 innings in a season.

That strategy backfired on the Reds in 2022, and while it's doubtful that Nick Krall will trade for an aging veteran starter who's owed $12M, the idea of adding an extra arm at low cost is probably be too good to pass up.

Some names to watch this offseason will be Ross Stripling, Jordan Lyles, and maybe even Chase Anderson. While showcasing the farm system's pitching depth is important, the club will surely keep a close watch on pitch count heading into next season. Look for the Cincinnati Reds to sign at least one veteran starting pitcher before 2023.

Next. Way-too-early Reds 2023 Opening Day roster predictions. dark

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