Reds' bargain hunting could lead to former All-Star the Braves just made available

Most of the offseason buzz surrounding the Cincinnati Reds has centered around the idea of bolstering the team's lineup. Others point to the team's bullpen as the No. 1 concern this offseason. Few fans, however, seem concerned with the Reds' rotation at this point.

There's noting necessarily wrong with that perspective. After all, the Reds have an incredibly talented group of starters headlined by Hunter Greene, Andrew Abbott, and Nick Lodolo. Throw in the reliable arm of Brady Singer and up-and-comers like Chase Burns and Rhett Lowder, and it's easy to see why most of the Cincinnati faithful believe the rotation should be the least of the Reds' worries this winter.

But as the old saying goes, you can never have enough pitching. When an opportunity to snag a once-hyped arm presents itself, the least least that Nick Krall and the Reds front office can do is kick the tires to see if there's a potential fit. The Atlanta Braves just gifted the Reds such an opportunity after non-tendering former All-Star Alek Manoah last week.

Alek Manoah would add depth to the Reds starting rotation (or bullpen)

There've been few pitchers in recent memory who've fallen harder than Manoah over the past three seasons. After an All-Star campaign in 2022 saw the hulking right-hander post a 16-7 record with a 2.24 ERA over 31 starts, Manoah's numbers have cratered. In fact, he never threw a pitch in the big leagues during the 2025 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery in June of 2024.

The former first-rounder made 10 appearances in the Toronto Blue Jays' Minor League system last year before being designated for assignment in September. He was picked up by the Braves, but was just let go prior to last week's non-tender deadline.

There's some volatility that comes with Manoah. He had a tumultuous relationship with the Blue Jays' front office and coaching staff, especially after being optioned to the minor leagues in 2023. Perhaps a well-respected manager like Terry Francona (along with the tutelage of Derek Johnson) could help get Manoah back on track.

Of note, the 27-year-old is under team control through the 2027 season, something that's a rarity with such a talented arm. If the Reds believe Manoah can return to the player he once was — or even shift him into a relief role — it could be worth a minor-league deal with an invite to spring training.