The overhaul of the Cincinnati Reds starting rotation within the last year has been thorough. Gone via trade are the formidable trio of Sonny Gray, Luis Castillo, and Tyler Mahle, a trio not only ripe with quality but also with histories of solid quantity. What’s left for the 2023 season has ample upside, obviously - each of Hunter Greene, Nick Lodolo, and Graham Ashcraft dazzled in their rookie seasons - but it remains to be seen just how they’ll fill all the innings required to get through a 162 game Major League season.
It’s with that in mind that we quickly revisit the team’s approach this winter to augmenting their pitching staff, an approach that featured a lone pitching addition that came on a guaranteed, big league deal.