Sonny Gray to the Reds

I think the front office is pretty much finished after this move.

There could be something else, but it would start looking like a logjam.

I've seen plenty of negative comments about all of the rentals that they've acquired. Well, that just means that the wallet will be fat next season as well.

They said they were spending about $30m this offseason. I don't think they are getting very close to that at all. Hell, the big trade that they made, they traded salaries and got $7m back as well. So, the wallet got thicker.

Anyhow, as far as other potential moves...

I don't think we will get the ACE, whoever that would have been. I think Gray was the deal they really wanted and with Roarke and Wood added, that's all that we were really looking for. I can't see going after a fourth at this point, even if his name Kluber or Keuchel.

We might still go after Realmuto, but we would have to flip Barnhart to do it. Don't really see that happening.

We might try to find a outfielder better suited for CF. Can we still send Ervin down to AAA? Because there really isn't room for him on the team after adding Kemp and Puig and having a need for a sexier CFer. And we're still not talking about Senzel yet! We might have to flip Ervin and, say, Kemp just to make room for a 'true' CFer and Senzel at some point.

And then the final area that we probably will see an addition to... the bullpen. It wouldn't surprise me if the focus turns on the bullpen at this point. I just see anything else happening at this point.

I like the trade. I like the extension too. It gives the Reds a pitcher who could be primed for a big bounce back at an age where he's in his prime years plus under control for a reasonable salary. If it fails at least its a short term deal for an average of 10 million a year. I can live with that. Another thing this does is push the pitching depth back some. I don't get how some of the media doesn't understand what the Reds are doing. If the starters look like Gray, Castillo, Wood, Roark and Disco this would put Mahle, Reed, Romano, Stephenson to start the season at AAA. This gives this group some more experience, they'll be called up at some point doing the season (injury, struggles) and be ready for the 20 season after they possible lose Wood and Roark. With all these moves you still keep your top 6 prospects, You dealt from a position of strength (2B), you improve your team this year while giving your top prospects another year of development. If all fails you can replenish your farm system at the trade deadline or a qualifying offer to Woods and Puig to get draft picks back. Sounds like a win, win.