Conflicting reports suggest Reds may have been close to signing Eduardo Rodriguez

The Cincinnati Reds signed Jeimer Candelario to a three-year/$45-million contract. But before that deal was completed, Cincinnati was rumored to be one of two finalist for starting pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez.

Rodriguez eventually agreed to a four-year contract to join the defending National League Champion Arizona Diamondbacks. But prior to signing, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported that the Reds were in the mix as well.

However, Gordon Wittenmyer of the Cincinnati Enquirer later refuted those Reds rumors as untrue. Rosenthal later retracted his report. So what are Reds fans to believe?

Reds rumors: Was Cincinnati really in the mix to sign Eduardo Rodriguez?

The Hot Stove season is always chock full of misdirection, speculation, and sleight of hand. These team executives don't want divulge information that can later be used as leverage in negotiations against them.

However, one has to assume that these latest Reds rumors carry some nugget of truth, right? Cincinnati has been in the market for starting pitching since the offseason began. And while Nick Martinez is a nice addition, that's not the type of frontline starter the Reds' front office covets.

In that same breath, it's hard to see the Reds, in the midst of negotiating a $45-million deal with Jeimer Candelario, also attempting to work out an $80-million pact with Eduardo Rodriguez. Investing $125 million in a matter of hours is not the Reds' style.

After Rodriguez signed his deal, these latest Reds rumors become rather irrelevant. However, the whispers of Cincinnati's involvment with Rodriguez could signify that Nick Krall isn't done adding to the roster.

In fact, the addition of Candelario is only going to intensify the trade speculation surrouding Jonathan India, and perhaps others on the Cincinnati Reds roster. Could Krall be working behind the scenes on a trade to help upgrade the starting rotation?

The MLB Winter Meetings just concluded, and once Shohei Ohtani decides where he's going to sign, the floodgates are going to open. The Reds should be still be looking to upgrade to the starting rotation.