3 reasons why the Reds should sign Seth Lugo instead of Eduardo Rodriguez

3. Do the Reds need another left-handed starter?

This may seem like a bit of an odd thing to critique. And while the Cincinnati Reds shouldn't just close the door on a potential deal for Eduardo Rodriguez simply because he's a left-handed pitcher, that's an area where the club has a ton of depth.

Most teams like to have a balanced attack - both on the mound and at the plate. Cincinnati, however, already has three very talented left-handed starting pitchers. Nick Lodolo, Andrew Abbott, and Brandon Williamson will all be making their case next spring to be part of the Reds rotation.

When comparing both Rodriguez and Seth Lugo, the two pitchers have very similar numbers. Both pitchers keep the fastball in the low-90s. Neither pitcher has huge strikeout numbers, but both keep the base paths relatively clear of free runners.

If the comparisons between these pitchers are beginning to look like mirror images, the Reds might do well to add the right-handed throwing Lugo over the southpaw Rodriguez.

The Cincinnati Reds have two right-handed starters who are likely to see the mound early and often in 2024. Both Hunter Greene and Graham Ashcraft are expected to be part of the Reds starting rotation.

But the young hurlers are both power-pitchers - relying on a 95-plus mph heater to get ahead in counts. Lugo would bring a much different approach, and could keep the opposition off balance by changing speeds and using that very affective curveball.

There's reason to believe that the Cincinnati Reds could be looking at both Eduardo Rodriguez and Seth Lugo in free agency this offseason. But putting the two side-by-side, it would appear as though Lugo is the better for the Reds.