Dream Reds starting rotation for the 2024 season

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There's been a lot of talk already this offseason about how the Cincinnati Reds should attack the trade market and free agency ahead of the 2024 season.

Most fans believe that the starting rotation, or lack thereof, was the biggest reason the Reds missed out on the MLB Postseason in 2023. If that's true, then the offseason is where president of baseball operations Nick Krall and his staff need to make some additions.

The free agent market may be lacking in terms of position player talent, but there are number of frontline starters available. The trade market is also ripe with reliable arms and that may be an area where Cincinnati could secure a top-flight starting pitcher.

We're going to explore what a "dream" Cincinnati Reds starting rotation might look like heading into next season. Of course, there'll be a dose of reality mixed in, so get your head out of the clouds.

Money is obviously part of the equation, as are trade assets, and the stable of pitchers currently on the Reds roster. But, with all that said, given the depth of the Reds system and the number of pre-arbitration eligible players, the Reds have money to spend and prospects who could be used as collateral.

With all of that in mind, what would the Cincinnati Reds "dream" starting rotation look like heading into Opening Day in 2024?

5. Reds RHP Graham Ashcraft continues to induce ground balls

There were moments in 2023 where you could make the argument that Graham Ashcraft was the Cincinnati Reds best pitcher. There were also times when Ashcraft looked as if he'd forgotten how to pitch. The second-year hurler also ended the year on the IL with a toe injury.

One of Ashcraft's greatest assets is his ability to pitch to contact and, oftentimes, get ground ball outs. The right-hander posted a ground ball-rate near 50-percent in 2023; something that plays well in the hitter friendly confines of Great American Ball Park.

But, if healhty, Graham Ashcraft should be part of the Reds rotation in 2024. In this dream scenario, the Alabama native will be the Reds No. 5 starter. If Ashcraft is a backend starter next season, then the Reds front office will have gone above and beyond this winter.

4. Reds LHP Nick Lodolo returns after injury-plagued 2023 season

Nick Lodolo had a forgettable 2023 season. Even when he was on the mound, the former first-round pick looked like a shell of himself. After a successful rookie season, most Reds fans expected Lodolo to be leading the charge in 2023. In fact, several Reds fans felt as though Lodolo, not Hunter Greene, should have received a contract extension.

But Lodolo scuffled with a lower leg injury throughout his entire sophomore season. Lodolo tried to get back toward the end of the year, but his rehab assignment was cut short and the TCU product was shelved for the remainder of the 2023 season.

The scuttlebutt surrouding Nick Lodolo is that he'll be healthy for Opening Day in 2024. If he's truly 100-percent, then the southpaw will be part of the Reds rotation. If not, the Reds have plenty of depth with the likes of Andrew Abbott, Brandon Williamson, and Connor Phillips.

3. Mariners RHP Logan Gilbert is traded to the Reds

The price would be quite steep, and likely include Jonathan India and a Top 100 prospect, but Logan Gilbert could be a difference maker for the Cincinnati Reds rotation in 2024. While the Mariners aren't exactly "shopping" Gilbert, Seattle could weather the storm of losing the right-hander for the right price.

There's already familiarity between Jerry Dipoto and Nick Krall, and both exectutives no doubt have their marching orders this offseason. While Dipoto would love to upgrade the M's lineup, Krall needs to get an extra arm or two to help bolster the Reds pitching staff.

One of the biggest differences between Logan Gilbert and players lke Tyler Glasnow and Dylan Cease is the arbitration window. Gilbert is still under team-control for four more seasons. Glasnow is a free agent after 2024 and Cease's clock runs out after the 2025 season.

Adding Gilbert to the rotation would be a dream come true for Reds Country, and it's certainly on the table if Cincinnati is willing to meet the high asking price.

2. Reds RHP Hunter Greene finally realizes his potential

The 2024 season could be a defining moment for Hunter Greene. Is it the year that the former first-round pick takes off and justifies the Reds' massive contract extension? Or will the right-hander continue to struggle with home runs?

Outside of Elly De La Cruz, there isn't a player on the Reds 40-man roster with more raw ability than Greene. If the flamethrower can further develop that third offering over the offseason, Greene's production will skyrocket next season.

The Cincinnati Reds would love for Hunter Greene to show that he's their ace, and he may well be. But signing a high-priced veteran during the offseason would take some of that pressure off while also providing veteran leadership for the young guns.

1. Reds sign LHP Jordan Montgomery in free agency

The free agent market is going to be something to monitor this offseason, and the Cincinnati Reds could be very active. Will Nick Krall be targeting a starter or reliever or both? If the belief is that the bullpen just needs a couple tweaks, then investing heavily in the rotation might be the ticket.

That's where Jordan Montgomery comes in. The left-hander has one major thing going for him and that's the lack of qualifying offer attached to his signing. Blake Snell and Sonny Gray will each require a draft pick to be sacrificed in addition to the massive salary each one is likely to receive.

Jordan Montgomery has been a solid pitcher for several seasons now and has logged 30-plus starts and 150-plus innings the past three seasons. Montgomery also has postseason experience - something that can't be quantified.

With a rotation like this, the Cincinnati Reds would also have the trio of Brandon Williamson, Andrew Abbott, and Connor Phillips on standby down at Triple-A in the event of an injury.

The only real payroll addition would be Montgomery, as Logan Gilbert, Graham Ashcraft, and Nick Lodolo are all pre-arb eligible. With Joey Votto's $25-million off the books, the Reds have money to spend.

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