When considering the free-agent market for the Cincinnati Reds’ two major needs — a big bat and a high-leverage bullpen arm — it seems obvious which route they should take with their limited budget.
A top slugger would eat up all of the Reds’ cash and then some. A reliever would leave room for other deals. However, the New York Mets’ signing of Devin Williams to a three-year, $51 million may indicate that a top reliever could exceed the Reds’ spending ability. The Reds were rumored to be interested in signing Williams, but they weren't going anywhere near that price tag.