Biggest Winners and Losers from Cincinnati Reds Offseason

As we move closer to pitchers and catchers reporting, it's time to revisit what's been kind of an awkward Cincinnati Reds offseason. Torn between shedding payroll and staying competitive, CEO Bob Castellini and general manager Walt Jocketty have walked a tightrope. Shedding dollars while trying to show your fanbase that you're not surrendering the season is by no means easy.

Still, there were winners and losers from this offseason. There are guys whose 2015 look promising post-transaction, guys who find themselves in worse situations and fall guys—sacrificial lambs.

Marlon Byrd is an easy winner this offseason. The 37-year-old slugger jumps ship from a vessel headed for heavy construction. 2015 could be another long season in Philadelphia, as the team has parted ways with some of its highest-paid, most recognizable talent.

Byrd's situation improves dramatically. I don't suggest that Byrd has gone to a World Series contender, but he's gone to a team that can at least compete for its division or a wild-card spot, which is infinitely more than the Phillies seem capable of doing anytime soon.

Mat Latos should be considered a winner as well. While his situation doesn't change dramatically, he gets to pitch in his home state for a what looks to be a contending Miami Marlins team. Latos told C. Trent Rosecrans of Cincinnati.com:

"

It's also a great thing, because I get to go home where I was raised, pretty much. It's home, so I'm going to be in a bigger ballpark, it's a good thing. It's a blessing. I have no bitterness toward the Reds. I can't. I had a heck of a lot of fun.

"

Latos will join Jose Fernandez at the top of what could be a powerful rotation. And considering the rest of the National League East, it really isn't far-fetched to consider the Marlins early favorites for a very winnable division.

Because of the complexity of the balancing act between reducing payroll and adding talent, and because right now, the Reds do appear capable of at least contending for the Central, I'm considering Jocketty a winner this offseason, too.

You may not agree, but the Reds shed significant dollars this offseason, which is going to give them a chance to possibly retain Johnny Cueto or Mike Leake after this season.

He also finally solved the "Who's in left?" dilemma by adding a likely cleanup hitter to a lineup in need of one.

The losers this offseason? Let's start with former Reds relief pitcher Logan Ondrusek. Ondrusek, in just a short span of time, has gone from setup extraordinaire for a contending MLB team to signing with the Yakult Swallows in Japan.

He was due for a raise of over $2 million in arbitration. He finished 2014 with a 5.41 ERA in 40 games of work.

Former third base coach Steve Smith also finishes in the losers' circle from the offseason. The Reds finished the year with a league-high 28 men thrown out at home. Whether this was all on Smith or not, it's tough to see him getting work again anytime soon, as that stat landed squarely on his shoulders.

Per Alvan McCalvy of MLB.com, Smith told The Cincinnati Enquirer, "I was the fall guy." Not the most accountable of statements, but the Reds did what was necessary.

The final loser? Reds manager Bryan Price. And it's debatable depending on how you view the current situation of this team. But Price has obviously always been focused on pitching and defense, which makes sense—he was the former pitching coach.

This season, his starting rotation, a rotation that finished No. 3 in starting ERA last season, is significantly less talented than it was. With the loss of Latos, that elevates guys like Homer Bailey and Leake to the front of the rotation.

Is that a bad thing? It's not certain. But you have to be concerned about the rotation post-Leake. No. 4 and No. 5 are enormous question marks. And Price may be plugging in guys like David Holmberg or Dylan Axelrod to fill the void, meaning new cleanup man Byrd and the rest of the offense are going to have to generate more runs.

It's not a great situation. If the Reds make no more moves this offseason, they will enter 2015 with massive uncertainty in the rotation. And that's dire, possibly more dire than any other facet of the team.

Because of this, Price may have problems amassing the amount of wins this fanbase expects. And as it always does, that failure would land on his plate. He might have gotten his left fielder, but at the expense of both his No. 4 and No. 5, it's possible his product got worse.

Stats courtesy of Baseball-Reference.com unless noted otherwise.