Reds pitcher Tejay Antone could be the biggest bargain in Major League Baseball

The Cincinnati Reds came to terms with all of their arbitration eligible players prior to Friday's deadline. Among those agreeing to one-year deals were centerfielder Nick Senzel, and pitchers Luis Cessa, and Lucas Sims

Also agreeing to a one-year contract on Friday was relief pitcher Tejay Antone. The right-hander, according to MLB.com's Mark Sheldon, will make $770, 000 in 2023.

Antone is recovering from Tommy John surgery and hasn't pitched since 2021. But, if healthy, the 29-year-old could be biggest bargain in all of baseball.

If healthy, Reds RHP Tejay Antone could be the biggest bargain in baseball.

Tejay Antone was a fifth-round draft pick back in 2014 and made his major league debut in July of 2020 for the Cincinnati Reds. That year, Antone saw some time in the starting rotation and posted a 2.80 ERA with 45 punch outs in 35.1 innings during the pandemic-shortened season.

The following year, Cincinnati decided that Antone would be a bigger asset coming out of the bullpen and the right-hander operated purely as a reliever. Antone posted an impressive 2.14 ERA and 220 ERA+. Were it not for an injury, Antone might have garnered All-Star consideration in 2021.

Unfortunately, however, Antone suffered a severe elbow injury upon his return from the injured list and was placed on the 60-day IL after undergoing Tommy John surgery for the second time in his career.

But, after a full year of rehab, Antone is expected to be healthy once he arrives in Goodyear later this year. If all systems are go, Reds fans should expect to see Antone operating out of the Cincinnati bullpen in 2023.

If Tejay Antone can duplicate the type of production he had during his first two seasons, the Cincinnati Reds may have one of the best bargains in the sport. Antone is also under team control through the 2025 season.