Reds get laughable Randy Arozarena suggestion from someone who should know better

Jim Bowden was the general manager of the Cincinnati Reds for almost 11 years. Nowadays, he moonlights as some sort of MLB insider, appearing on various podcasts while also writing for The Athletic. Bowden's latest column featured the top-40 MLB free agents with contract predictions and team fits. Hilariously, Bowden named the Reds as a "fit" for Randy Arozarena.

Okay, Jim, we'll play along. Yes, the Reds would undoubtedly love to have Arozarena's bat in the middle of their lineup next season. Few free agent hitters offer the type of upside that Arozarena could bring. He hit .281/.381/.484 with 26 home runs, 79 RBI, 26 stolen bases, and a 148 OPS+ with the Seattle Mariners last season.

Arozarena is a three-time All-Star who's right-handed bat would be a perfect fit in the Reds' left-handed heavy outfield. His defense doesn't necessarily fit Terry Francona's emphasis on playing "clean baseball", but Tito would probably make an exception if it meant having another dynamic bat to match the hitting prowess of Elly De La Cruz and Sal Stewart in 2027.

You know, Jim, you might be onto something here. Arozarena would be a terrific fit for the Reds this offseason. How much would it take to sign him? Oh!

Randy Arozarena to the Reds falls apart the moment you see the price tag

You see, that's where Bowden's idea falls off a cliff. The contract prediction for Arozarena is five years at $124 million. That's a $24.8 million AAV, just south of what Joey Votto was making during his last few years in a Reds uniform.

The fact that Bowden even mentioned the Reds as a possible fit just reveals how invalid his opinion is. While he didn't work under the Castellini during his time with the Reds, he knows better than anybody that Cincinnati doesn't have the resources to pursue a player like Arozarena in free agency.

Yes, the Reds targeted Kyle Schwarber last winter, but as every fan throughout the tri-state knows, that was a one-off situation. Cincinnati was trying to lure the Middletown native back home and reportedly offered him a five-year, $125 million. Schwarber eventually re-signed with the Philadelphia Phillies, and the Reds never pivoted to another big bat like Pete Alonso, Alex Bregman, or Cody Bellinger.

Listing Arozarena as a "best fit" for the Reds is like suggesting a Rolls-Royce is the best fit for a line cook at a fast food restaurant. It's just not going to happen. Try again, Jimbo.

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