Fansided

One free agent each MLB team needs to target this offseason

By Joshua Sadlock

WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 27: Gerrit Cole #45 of the Houston Astros pitches in the first inning during Game 5 of the 2019 World Series between the Houston Astros and the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on Sunday, October 27, 2019 in Washington, District of Columbia. (Photo by Alex Trautwig/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 27: Gerrit Cole #45 of the Houston Astros pitches in the first inning during Game 5 of the 2019 World Series between the Houston Astros and the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on Sunday, October 27, 2019 in Washington, District of Columbia. (Photo by Alex Trautwig/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /
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DENVER, COLORADO – SEPTEMBER 28: Starting pitcher Gio Gonzalez #47 throws in the first inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on September 28, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
DENVER, COLORADO – SEPTEMBER 28: Starting pitcher Gio Gonzalez #47 throws in the first inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on September 28, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /

Cincinnati Reds: Gio Gonzalez

The Reds took a small step forward in their path back to the postseason this year, hovering around the .500 mark for most of the first half before fading to 75-87. The 75 wins were their most since 2014. Cincinnati rode several savvy acquisitions last winter to the most-improved pitching staff in baseball.

Last winter, the Reds made the type of moves that more rebuilding teams need to consider. They acquired Sonny Gray, Yasiel Puig, Tanner Roark, Matt Kemp and Alex Wood in an effort to stockpile trade chips. They were ultimately able to deal Puig and Roark and saw Gray recover his old form. The 30-year-old right-hander had his best year since 2015 and went 11-8 with a 2.87 ERA and 10.5 strikeouts per nine in 31 starts.

With Gray paired up with young ace Luis Castillo and the ever-confounding Trevor Bauer, the Reds might actually have a better rotation than lineup heading into 2020. That comes as a major surprise for a franchise that has been known more for bashing the ball around the Great American Smallpark than run prevention.

Cincinnati will be a sneaky pick to chase a playoff spot in 2020, but they’ll need a fifth starter to anchor the rotation – someone who can fill Roark’s role as a veteran innings-eater. For that role, Roark’s former teammate in Washington, Gio Gonzalez makes a lot of sense. The 34-year-old is having a nice second act to his career and is 28-22 with a 3.53 ERA in 459.1 innings the last three years.

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