The Cincinnati Reds are missing a crucial element in their roster, which could change the dynamics of their game. Just last week, the Reds welcomed back Eugenio Suárez, an experienced power hitter, adding much-needed strength to their lineup—something that was apparent to fans and analysts alike. However, it remains uncertain whether Suárez will continue playing his usual position, a role he has held consistently for a decade. Regardless, his presence in the batting lineup is expected to be a regular feature whenever the Reds take the field.
While Suárez's addition is significant, it's not without its complications. Players like Spencer Steer, Sal Stewart, Ke’Bryan Hayes, and JJ Bleday may find their chances to accumulate 700 plate appearances affected by his return. The Reds currently have a roster filled with interchangeable parts but lack a truly established everyday player, apart from Elly De La Cruz. This situation might actually work to their advantage because it allows for flexibility within the roster. Plus, it’s reasonable to anticipate that some players who are currently slated to play will likely miss time due to injuries or other unforeseen circumstances.
The same flexibility can be observed in the current starting rotation. The Reds are optimistic about the contributions of Chase Burns, Rhett Lowder, Brandon Williamson, and Julian Aguiar—each of whom is expected to elevate the team’s game as effectively as Suárez does offensively. With these four new options alongside established pitchers such as Hunter Greene, Andrew Abbott, Nick Lodolo, and Brady Singer, the Reds’ pitching prospects appear enviable compared to other franchises in Major League Baseball.
However, one age-old adage remains true in baseball: you can never have too much pitching depth. Last season serves as a perfect example—the Reds had all these talented pitchers available yet still found themselves relying on Nick Martinez for over 165 innings pitched and 26 starts. They had to acquire Zack Littell midseason, who then also made 10 starts. Additionally, both Chase Petty and Carson Spiers were called upon to start twice each, while veteran Wade Miley returned for a handful of appearances, including two starts.
Miley's situation particularly prompts this discussion. A year ago, he was a seasoned player familiar with the team's dynamics, albeit working through personal challenges like injuries and age. He chose to join the Reds, where both familiarity and potential for revival existed. While he was seen as a low-cost veteran—often referred to as a reclamation project or a possible hidden gem—he was precisely what the Reds needed at that time, without being someone they had to depend on heavily.
In previous years, such a player would have been rushed into a critical role prematurely, regardless of physical readiness. Although Miley’s performance last season wasn’t stellar, the Reds acquired him for depth, allowing them the luxury to not rely on him urgently. They could afford to take a chance on him as a low-risk investment that didn’t need to pay off dramatically for them to still aim for a postseason run.
Now, however, the Reds lack a similar player in their camp this year. They have yet to sign anyone from outside the organization who has a proven track record—someone who has succeeded before, struggled recently, but could possibly regain form and make a difference. This acquisition doesn’t necessarily have to happen by Opening Day, nor does it require immediate six-inning outings every fifth day. Ideally, the Reds would be looking for a player who fits into a role similar to Martinez's last year—a versatile individual who can either excel as a reliever or step into the starting rotation when necessary.
Anyone fitting this description currently available on the market likely comes with their own set of imperfections. If they didn’t, they wouldn’t be unsigned, and we wouldn’t be discussing them as potential emergency options. Unless, of course, they show up in camp demonstrating significant improvement and readiness to rejoin the conversation.
One name that keeps surfacing in my mind is Walker Buehler from Lexington, Kentucky. Buehler has achieved notable accolades, including two All-Star selections, a World Series title, and two Top 10 finishes in Cy Young Award voting. However, he has also faced challenges, having undergone major elbow surgery, missed an entire season, and posted a less-than-ideal 5.10 ERA (5.62 FIP) over the past two seasons with three different teams. At just 31 years old, he is a native of Reds Country and was even part of Derek Johnson’s final recruiting class at Vanderbilt, which included prominent players like Carson Fulmer, Matt Olson, and Dansby Swanson.
While I’m unsure if Buehler's camp is seeking a guaranteed starting spot in a team’s rotation or if his expectations exceed what the Reds can offer budget-wise, it’s clear he has struggled since his surgery, with diminished fastball velocity noted at 94.1 mph in 2025 compared to the upper 96 mph range during his peak. Additionally, I wonder if he might wait for the season to progress, perhaps hoping other teams will experience injuries and need him more urgently.
Nevertheless, Buehler seems like the ideal candidate to have on board, especially considering that Williamson and Aguiar are both returning from Tommy John surgeries and may not immediately regain their former performance levels. Buehler could be an asset that allows pitching coach Derek Johnson to work with him and potentially help him rediscover enough of his previous talent to manage innings for Burns and Lowder, keeping them fresh as the season progresses. Even if it doesn't work out, bringing him in would be similar to the approach taken with Miley, allowing both parties to part ways without significantly disrupting the roster.
As we reach this stage in the offseason, it’s only a matter of time before another team seizes the opportunity to bring in a player like this, and it makes perfect sense for the Reds to be that team.
