This offseason, both starting pitchers are free agents.

Lance Lynn is not available, nor is Aaron Nola. However, this offseason, a number of impact arms are still accessible through free agency.

The starting rotation needs to be a priority this winter, even though the Cincinnati Reds are reportedly hoping to add one or two arms this summer. The bullpen could also use some assistance.

Eduardo Rodriguez and Seth Lugo remain available in free agency as pitchers. This offseason, both have the opportunity to sign multi-year contracts, but Lugo would be a better fit for the Reds. Let’s examine why signing Lugo makes more sense than signing Rodriguez.

1. Seth Lugo is much more versatile than Eduardo Rodriguez

There are rumors circulating within the Cincinnati Reds front office that the team is in search of a pitcher with the special capacity to be used as a starter and a relief. Reynaldo Lopez, who was just signed by the Atlanta Braves, might play a similar role.

Seth Lugo demonstrated his ability to start in the league throughout the previous season. Lugo entered the San Diego Padres rotation in 2023 after spending years as a reliever, and he started 26 games. FanGraphs shows Lugo with a 3.57 ERA and 3.83 FIP.

64 of Lugo’s 301 major league games have been in the starting lineup. Eduardo Rodriguez cannot be considered in the same way. 196 of the 202 games Rodriguez has pitched throughout his stint with the Detroit Tigers and Boston Red Sox have been starts.

Although some fans might not agree with the concept of signing a swingman such as Nick Martinez or Seth Lugo, the Cincinnati Reds may be wise to spend this money considering the quantity of young starting pitchers they have in their farm system and on their 40-man roster.

2. Seth Lugo should be a cheaper option than Eduardo Rodriguez

You’re not the only team trying to bolster your starting pitching staff. It might be said that this summer, practically every team is hoping to add one or two starters.

Reds supporters, let’s face it: Cincinnati simply cannot compete with the large market teams. Can they? Yes. Are they going to? Most likely not. The Cincinnati Reds will therefore be focusing on the next tier of start

Eduardo Rodriguez and Seth Lugo would also be in that tier. Although Lugo and Rodriguez declined the chance to rejoin their respective teams this summer, there is a significant distinction between the figures they turned down.

Given that Lugo’s player-option was only worth $7.5 million, it is reasonable to believe that the right-hander will be searching for a larger salary this winter. However, Rodriguez rejected the last three years and $49 million that the Detroit Tigers owed him. It’s a significant amount of change.

Eduardo Rodriguez will undoubtedly be searching for additional years and zeroes. It’s probable that Rodriguez is searching for a deal that would include an additional guaranteed year, even if the average annual value (AAV) stays the same.

According to MLB Trade Rumors, Rodriguez is expected to receive a four-year, $82 million contract ($20.5 million AAV), while Seth Lugo is expected to accept a three-year, $42 million contract ($14 million AAV).

Saving almost $6 million a season over the next three years might help the Cincinnati Reds assemble a more complete team, since they may be trying to lock up some of their own players this winter and have needs beyond just adding a starting pitcher.

3. Do the Reds need another left-handed starter?

It can seem strange to criticize anything like this. Eduardo Rodriguez is a left-handed pitcher, so the Cincinnati Reds shouldn’t automatically rule out a deal for him, but they do have a lot of depth in that position.

A well-rounded offensive strategy is preferred by most teams, both at the plate and on the mound. On the other hand, Cincinnati already has three excellent left-handed starting pitchers. In the upcoming spring, Nick Lodolo, Andrew Abbott, and Brandon Williamson will all be vying to join the Reds rotation.

Seth Lugo and Rodriguez are two pitchers whose stats are very comparable. The fastballs of both pitchers stay in the low-90s. While neither pitcher has very high strikeout rates, they both largely prevent free runners from reaching the base paths.

Should the similarities between both pitchers start to resemble one other, the Reds would be wise to choose right-handed reliever Lugo over southpaw Rodriguez.

In 2024, the right-handed starters for the Cincinnati Reds will probably see the mound a lot. Graham Ashcraft and Hunter Greene are anticipated to be included in the Reds’ starting lineup.

However, in order to advance in the count, both of the young pitchers rely on a heater that can reach speeds of over 95 mph. Lugo would provide a radically different strategy and, by varying his pace and employing that highly effective curveball, keep the opponent off balance.

It’s reasonable to assume that the Cincinnati Reds will consider Seth Lugo and Eduardo Rodriguez in free agency this offseason. However, comparing the two, Lugo seems to be the superior option for the Reds.