Previewing the Free-Agent Names the Reds Should Be Chasing This Offseason

The Reds won't have the dollars to make any major splashes this offseason, at least not if they plan on making any substantial offers to any one of four different starting pitchers set to hit the free-agent market after the 2015 season.

There have been plenty of sources suggesting the Reds will indeed try to move a pitcher before the start of next season, and while that has the potential to weaken what is undoubtedly the strongest facet of this team, payroll flexibility is often a trait demanded by small-to-mid-market teams. 

The following are a few suggestions of who the Reds should be chasing this offseason. The order will range from most likely to shocking development, but a plausible, realistic case will be made for each.

To begin, here is a list of the potential free agents at every position from Baseballprospectus.com. With that in mind, browse a short list of free-agent names the Reds should be chasing this offseason:

All stats, rankings and salary information courtesy of Baseball-Reference.com unless otherwise noted.

No. 1: OF, Nori Aoki

Ross D. Franklin/Associated Press

When we think of corner outfielders, we no doubt think about power bats, and rightfully so—there's a pretty enormous correlation between the two. But do the Reds really need a power bat? Sure, Jay Bruce is having his worst season to date. But can we reserve judgement, at least for one more year, for someone who had arthroscopic knee surgery in May?

Is that the reason Bruce is performing so poorly? I'm not making that case, just stating the obvious that in now seven seasons, he has never been this lost at sea. But between Bruce, Todd Frazier, Devin Mesoraco, and, yes, Joey Votto, the Reds should have plenty of pop in that lineup. What they do not have are guys who know how to routinely get on base.

Just check the team's dreadful OBP. It's third-worst in the entire sport. Insert Nori Aoki, who will just be finishing a three-year contract ending in Kansas City with the Royals. According to Rotoworld.com, Aoki made just shy of $2 million this season. He'll undoubtedly get a bump, as his season is steadily increasing his value. 

He's slashing .277/.345/.346. Could you imagine inserting this behind Billy Hamilton, in front of Joey Votto? This would be an enormous pick up for a really undisciplined Reds offense whose, according to Fangraphs.com, O-swing percentage (swings at balls outside of the strike one) is No. 8 in the game.

I maintain that more than anyone on this list, Nori Aoki should be the primary, No. 1 target of Walt Jocketty this offseason. 

No. 2: OF, Josh Willingham

Ann Heisenfelt/Associated Press

Am I suggesting that Jocketty stalk the Kansas City Royals like a vulture waiting on its next meal? Kind of.

Between Aoki and Josh Willingham, both would address key deficiencies in the Reds lineup right now. 

Enter Willingham, who was dealt from the Minnesota Twins to the Royals just earlier this year. In Minnesota, he was slashing .210/.345/.402. Since being traded to the contending Royals, he's slashed .258/.380/.424.

Just look at the OBP. Willingham is also a worthy addition to the team's power bats. He has 14 home runs on the year. Furthermore, his slashing line at Great American Ball Park, in 17 games played there, is an impressive .281/.391/.544, including three home runs and 12 RBI.

Willingham must dig the short fields at GABP. While there are a ton of comparisons to Ryan Ludwick, he has simply performed better in nearly every facet. He might command the same salary (made $7 million the year), but when you look at that OBP, it sure seems worth it for a team that struggles with it as hard as the Reds do. 

No. 3: SP, Ryan Vogelsong

Ben Margot/Associated Press

It's called risk mitigation. Because the Reds may have to realistically part ways with their expensive starting pitching corps—Mat Latos, Alfredo Simon and Mike Leake will get arbitration this offseason—it's not far-fetched to assume that Jocketty might try to recoup some of his eventual losses.

Ryan Vogelsong made only $5 million this year with the San Francisco Giants. If the Reds could get him anywhere near that kind of price tag, and trade his addition for say a Latos or a Leake who might command anywhere from $8-$10 million next season after arbitration, then they keep a proven MLB starter in the rotation while flipping a coveted SP to address another organizational need.

Vogelsong is currently 8-11 with a 3.98 ERA. He's thrown 174.1 innings this year so far. 

Sure, the Reds have talent in the minors that can fill any hole left in the rotation. But they're largely unproven, especially at this level. If 2015 will indeed be the final "all-in" year for this Reds corps, it's best to keep proven commodities in essentially the most valuable position. 

Vogelsong, or a pitcher of a similar caliber and price, would definitely ease the blow of losing one of the Reds' current starting pitchers. 

No. 4: 3B, Casey McGehee

David Goldman/Associated Press

Casey McGehee made just $1.1 million this year. That is most certainly going to rise following a stellar 2014 campaign. The big man is slashing .292/.362/.365 this season. Rumors flooded the internet surrounding him during the trade deadline, but not only did the Miami Marlins maintain they weren't shopping him, but sites like Hardballtalk.NBCSports.com say the Marlins plan on extending him.

That was back in July. But as the article states, there was no rush to get a deal done because he's arbitration eligible this summer. Strictly a guess, but McGehee could end up making around what Willingham makes, maybe $7 million or so. Strictly a guess.

But then there's this from Michael Jong of Fishstripes.com:

"

Last time he was in arbitration, he earned just $1.5 million, and this year he is earning $1.1 million. That means his salary is not likely to climb much higher than $4 million next year, and he is expected to be about a league-average player. In our trade asset article, we noted that McGehee would be worth around $12 million in trade value.

"

The obvious question: What about Todd Frazier? Frazier is insanely more versatile than McGehee. He played over 170 games throughout the minors in left field. Furthermore, should Votto still need a rest every now and then? Frazier can easily play third.

McGehee's addition would by no means relegate Frazier to the bench, just to another position.