Reds dwindling trade interest in Tyler Glasnow may push Cincinnati toward free agency

Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic (subscription required) is reporting that the Cincinnati Reds interest in Tyler Glasnow hinges on how the team views themselves heading into 2024.

In other words, the Reds may not be ready to go all-in on the 2024 season if it means sacrificing some of the organization's top young talent in order to do so. These latest Reds rumors could hint at Cincinnati's next moves.

Look for the Reds to, perhaps, abandon these trade talks involving Glasnow, Shane Bieber, and even Dylan Cease. Instead, Cincinnati turn their focus back to the free agent market in order to shore up the starting rotation.

Reds dwindling trade interest may shift focus back to free agency

It's not as if the free agent market is devoid of talented starting pitchers. The Cincinnati Reds could target a pitcher like Michael Wacha, Seth Lugo, or even Eduardo Rodriguez.

Tyler Glasnow's 2024 salary is sitting at $25 million. If the Reds were willing to take on that number, why not just offer it to one of the aforementioned free agents? All three would likely cost less than $25 million annually.

The Reds may also be willing to roll the dice and enter the 2024 season with the rotation they currently have. That would include the recently signed Nick Martinez along with Hunter Greene, Nick Lodolo, Graham Ashcraft, and Andrew Abbott.

Connor Phillips and Brandon Williamson would be part of the conversation as well, not to mentioned Lyon Richardson, Carson Spiers, and Levi Stoudt. The Reds rotational depth already looks better than it did in 2023.

The Cincinnati Reds had a winning record in 2023, and the front office may attempt to run it back in 2024. With no significant departures to speak of, and a more experienced group of young players, the Reds would essentially be following the Baltimore Orioles model from a year ago. That's not a bad strategy.