Predicting 3 different outcomes for 3 different Reds stars in 2022

The Reds should hang on to pitcher Tyler Mahle.

Tyler Mahle has not gotten off to the best of starts. The Cincinnati Reds Opening Day starter is 2-5 with a 5.43 ERA and just 64 punch outs over 59.2 innings works in his first 12 starts. Mahle has been mentioned as one of the Reds who could change teams prior to the MLB trade deadline, but Cincinnati would be wise to hang onto the right-hander this season.

Now, that doesn't mean that Mahle should be signed to a contract extension during the offseason, though I do think that's something the Reds should consider. But after getting off to such a rough start in 2022, it's highly unlikely Cincinnati will receive much in return if the California native is traded this summer.

Mahle is still just 27 years old and is under team control through next season. The right-hander is taking home $5.2M this season and will receive a raise through arbitration next winter. But whatever Mahle's 2023 salary is, it'll still be considered a bargain for a pitcher that can easily slot as a No. 3 in most rotations throughout the league.

If the Cincinnati Reds had interest in trading Tyler Mahle, the team should have done so this past offseason after the right-hander was coming off his best season. If the Reds dealt Mahle now, they'd be selling low on the Westminster High School product.

With so many rookie starters in Cincinnati's stable, the Reds front office would do well to enter next spring with Mahle as the team's veteran starter. If a team emerges over the winter with an offer than the Reds front office cannot refuse, so be it. But at this time, the Reds would be best served to ride out the 2022 season with Mahle in their starting rotation.