Reds eye ‘pen help, veteran starter at Meetings

CINCINNATI — The Reds don’t get into bidding wars and they rarely spend big in the free-agent market. They are also often wont to seek bargains on the open market later in the offseason. But they aren’t afraid to make trades to get what they need.

And that’s why Cincinnati could be a team to watch at next week’s Winter Meetings.

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Still in rebuilding mode — but hoping to be near its end — the Reds and general manager Dick Williams are looking to bolster weaknesses and create regular playing opportunities for some of their younger players.

MLB.com and MLB Network will have wall-to-wall coverage of the 2016 Winter Meetings from the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center outside Washington, D.C. Fans can watch live streaming of all news conferences and manager availability on MLB.com, including the Rule 5 Draft on Dec. 8 at 9 a.m. ET.

Club needs

Bullpen help: Reds relievers combined for a 5.09 ERA, second worst in the Major Leagues, and they led both leagues in home runs and walks allowed. Although Raisel Iglesias and Michael Lorenzen brought some stability to the late innings, the Reds would like to add help in high-leverage situations with relievers who can stretch over multiple innings.

A veteran starter: Cincinnati is comfortable with a rotation that includes Anthony DeSclafani, Homer Bailey, Dan Straily and Brandon Finnegan. But with a lot of prospects already set to compete for the lone opening, the club wouldn’t mind having a veteran pitcher and innings-eater in the battle. The fine line to straddle, however, is this pitcher would have to understand that he might become a bullpen member if one of the younger prospects is ready to start right away.

Extra catcher: Devin Mesoraco and Tucker Barnhart would form a solid 1-2 combo under normal circumstances. But Mesoraco’s …

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