Reds' 2024 trade addition sees free agency gamble turn sour after deal with Guardians

As spring training approaches, lingering free agents are oftentimes known to lower their price point in order to secure a job for the upcoming season. That's likely what happened to former Cincinnati Reds pitcher Jakob Junis.

The veteran swingman turned down his end of the $8 million mutual option with the Reds earlier this offseason, and right about now, he's probably wishing he wouldn't have taken that gamble. Though Junis did receive a $3 million buyout, he was unable to secure a longer-term deal and did not earn a bigger payday this offseason.

The right-hander signed a one-year, $4.5 million deal with the Cleveland Guardians, essentially leave $500,000 on the table. Being that the Guardians and Reds share a spring training facility in Goodyear, at least Junis can easily catch up with some of his former Cincinnati teammates.

Guardians sign key Reds' trade acquisition from 2024

Junis was dealt to the Reds last summer as part of the trade that sent Frankie Montas to the Milwaukee Brewers. Montas endured an up-and-down 2024 season after being named the Reds Opening Day starter, and once Cincinnati fell out of contention, pitching-starved teams like Milwaukee began to inquire about the right-hander's availability. Junis, along with former outfielder Joey Wiemer, were sent to Cincy in exchange for Montas.

At the time, it was assumed that adding Junis — who was on an expiring deal — was little more than a throw-in to help balance out the salary implications. After all, the swingman spent most of the 2024 season on the IL with a shoulder injury and was just activated barely a month before being traded.

But as it turned out, Junis became an indispensable member of the Reds' pitching staff down the stretch. So much so, that many fans throughout Reds Country were hopeful to see him back in Cincinnati for the 2025 season. Junis' time with the Reds saw him posted a 2.85 ERA in 14 games, including five starts, that covered 41 innings of work.

Junis will join another former Reds' castoff in Cleveland. The Reds waved goodbye to Ben Lively last offseason after a gutty performance in 2023. After signing with the Guardians last offseason, Lively finished his 2024 campaign with a 13-10 record and 3.81 ERA in 29 starts. Lively is penciled in as one of the Guardians starters heading into the upcoming season.

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