Reds News: Garrett Crochet pursuit, Cincy receives comp pick, spring training dates

The MLB Winter Meetings begin in Dallas later this week. While fans in New York, Toronto, and Boston hold their breath waiting to see where Juan Soto will sign, there are still deals being made. Former Milwaukee Brewers shortstop Willy Adames agreed to a seven-year pact with the San Francisco Giants, while Tyler O'Neill's three-year deal with the Boston Red Sox takes him off the Cincinnati Reds' radar.

But the Reds may have their sights set on an even bigger fish. Rumors swirled last week that Cincinnati was investigating a trade for Garrett Crochet. The Chicago White Sox ace has been on the trade block since last summer and would look terrific in the Reds starting rotation alongside Hunter Greene, Andrew Abbott, and Nick Lodolo.

Reds News: Cincy beat writer debunks Garrett Crochet rumors

However, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com dismissed the notion that the Reds were still in talks with the White Sox regarding Crochet. According to Sheldon, the Reds did have interest in Crochet earlier this offseason, but after trading for Brady Singer, that appeal seems to have dwindled.

If the season began today, the Reds rotation would likely consist of Greene, Abbott, Lodolo, Singer, and Nick Martinez. The Reds also have Rhett Lowder, Carson Spiers, and Graham Ashcraft waiting in the wings, along with Chase Petty and Connor Phillips. If forgoing the pursuit of Crochet would net Cincinnati a starting-caliber outfielder, most Reds fans would sign up for that immediately.

Reds News: Competitive Balance rounds set for 2025 MLB Draft

The 2025 MLB Draft is still months away, and though the Reds' first-round draft spot has not yet been determined, Cincinnati will receive an extra pick after Round 1 of next year's draft. Major League Baseball has derived a formula that awards additional picks to teams based on a variety of factors, and the Reds nabbed the sixth pick in Competitive Balance Round A.

The Reds have collected a number of talented players in years past using their Competitive Balance picks. In 2022, Cincinnati added Sal Stewart after Round 1. The Reds selected Ty Floyd with their comp pick a year later and picked up Luke Holman in last year's draft.

Reds News: Spring training dates announced

We haven't officially reached the MLB Winter Meetings yet, but spring training isn't far away. Reds fans now know when their favorite teams will descend upon Goodyear, Arizona with pitchers and catchers scheduled to arrive on February 10, 2025.

The team's first workout is two days later and position players will report to Arizona on February 15, 2025. Goodyear will be rather familiar to new Reds' manager Terry Francona, as the longtime Cleveland skipper was on the other side of the Goodyear Complex while he managed the Guardians from 2013 through 2023.

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