After big free-agent class flopped, will Reds change approach to multiyear deals?

Three years after the Cincinnati Reds committed $165 million to five free agents, the biggest dip into free agency in franchise history, none of those players remain in the organization and the roster was stripped down.

The 2020 push to end a playoff drought resulted in one playoff berth and zero postseason wins.

Reds free agencyCurt Casali returns to Cincinnati Reds on one-year deal to complete 'unfinished business'

Reds offseason movesCincinnati Reds prioritize Tyler Stephenson, young pitchers with free agent signings

Reds movesCincinnati Reds cut Mike Moustakas after Curt Casali returns on a one-year contract

Those five signings accumulated a 7.5 WAR (wins above replacement) over the last three seasons, according to Baseball-Reference: Wade Miley (5.4 WAR), Nick Castellanos (4.4), Pedro Strop (negative-0.2), Shogo Akiyama (negative-0.3), Mike Moustakas (negative-1.8).

Two of the signings, Moustakas and Akiyama, were owed a combined $30 million after they were cut. Another, Strop, didn’t even make it through the 2020 season before he was released.

With an ownership group that has slashed player payroll in three consecutive offseasons, the Reds pay a heavier price when they miss on their major free agent signings. Moustakas signed a four-year, $64 million contract, which was the biggest free agent deal in club history. Castellanos signed for identical terms, but he had an opt-out clause after each of his first two seasons.

The Reds, in rebuild mode, haven’t signed a player to a multiyear deal since Castellanos in Jan. 2020. They have no guaranteed contracts on their books beyond the upcoming season with buyouts available for Joey Votto, Wil Myers and Curt Casali.

Are the Reds more hesitant to give out bigger contracts in free agency?

“If there is a contract that makes sense for us, we will pursue it,” Reds General Manager Nick Krall said after signing Myers and Casali to one-year deals. “We’ve talked about this over the last few years, we have to be a team that does build from within, but at the same time, we have to bring solid players in around our young players. It’s one person at a time, one decision at a time, and that’s how we’re going to evaluate any contract decision.”

The Reds have around $80 million committed to payroll for the 2023 season, which would be their lowest figure in more than a decade, according to a database compiled by Cot’s Baseball Contracts.

They appear unlikely to make any more significant additions this winter considering their apparent payroll constraints.

“I think we'll figure out what the rest of the offseason brings and if there's something we can maneuver through this offseason, I think we're going to just have to figure out how to take advantage of that and be creative,” Krall said.

This stage of their rebuild is about finding players to fit into the core of their roster. Jonathan India and Tyler Stephenson, entering their third Major League seasons, are transforming into the new faces of the team while Hunter Greene, Nick Lodolo and Graham Ashcraft attempt to anchor the starting rotation.

The next stage, once the Reds determine which prospects sink and swim in the big leagues, will be supplementing that core whether it’s through free agency or trades.

Reds closer Alexis Díaz to play in World Baseball Classic

The Reds are expected to have several players participate in the World Baseball Classic this spring, and their first participant was confirmed last week.

Alexis Díaz announced he will pitch for Puerto Rico in a press conference with Puerto Rican reporters. He’ll join his older brother, New York Mets closer Edwin Díaz, on Puerto Rico’s roster.

The 26-year-old Díaz had a standout rookie season and became the most reliable reliever in the Reds’ bullpen. Díaz had a 1.84 ERA with 83 strikeouts and 33 walks in 63 2/3 innings while recording 10 saves. He received one second-place vote in the National League Rookie of the Year voting.

It’s unknown how many Reds players will participate in the World Baseball Classic until rosters are finalized, but Luis Cessa (Mexico), Reiver Sanmartin (Colombia) and Fernando Cruz (Puerto Rico) have all expressed interest in playing.

Reds add two players on minor league deals

The Reds are bringing catcher Austin Romine back on a minor league contract, which includes an invitation to spring training, after he played 37 games with the club last year.

Romine, 34, enjoyed his time in the organization in August and September, and he drew rave reviews from the pitching staff for his veteran knowledge behind the plate. He hit .147 in 99 plate appearances with three homers and nine RBI.

The Reds have seemingly prioritized veteran catchers this winter with a starting rotation that could rank among the youngest in the league. They signed Casali and Luke Maile to one-year Major League contracts with a plan to carry three catchers on their 26-man roster alongside Stephenson.

Along with Romine, the Reds signed right-handed reliever Alan Busenitz to a minor league contract with an invite to camp. Busenitz, 32, last appeared in the Major Leagues in 2018. He spent the last four seasons in Japan’s top league, Nippon Professional Baseball, posting a 2.83 ERA in 190 career games.

Tribute to Damar Hamlin

The Great American Ball Park videoboards read “Prayers for Damar Hamlin” on Tuesday after the Buffalo Bills safety remained in critical condition after suffering cardiac arrest in Monday’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati Reds stuck to one-year deals with free agents since 2020