The Reds are a lot better than their results this season, as I think Cubs fans can very well attest. It’s a bummer for the Reds that their record doesn’t match their underlying metrics this year, and they’re probably a very long shot for the postseason. But that hasn’t stopped them from adding this season, particularly with an eye toward next season.
Indeed, the Reds’ big deadline acquisition was Trevor Bauer, a guy who can be controlled for one more season after this one. And since then, the Reds have also claimed Kevin Gausman on waivers from the Braves – controllable through next year – and now Freddy Galvis:
I can confirm this — adds to SS mix this year and next. He earns $5.5 next year https://t.co/Bp8E6ZBVwz
— C. Trent Rosecrans (@ctrent) August 12, 2019
That $5.5 million is actually a team option with a $1 million buyout.
Like Gausman and Bauer, it would be pretty pricey to retain Galvis heading into next season, relatively speaking. But, by claiming Galvis today, the Reds have put themselves in position to retain a useful player (30 years old next year) if they like what they see in the final month in a half. For the cost of just a couple million bucks, it’s a nice option to have.
I would say watch the Reds pretty carefully heading into next year. They are full up with young talent, and they’ve already turned Sonny Gray around after acquiring him and extending him for several more years. That could be a really, really good roster in 2020.