It’s been known for some time that the Cincinnati Reds would target starting pitching this winter.
Already flush with a pretty solid lineup, this is an area the team must improve on if it hopes to contend next season.
It might not be a blockbuster deal by definition, but the Reds on Wednesday announced the acquisition of veteran starter Tanner Roark from the Washington Nationals. In exchange, Washington picked up pitching prospect Tanner Rainey.
#Reds today announced the acquisition of RHP Tanner Roark from the Washington Nationals in exchange for RHP Tanner Rainey. pic.twitter.com/45bgb6kqWa
— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) December 13, 2018
Roark, 32, pitched to a 4.34 ERA and 1.28 WHIP while striking out 146 batters in 31 games (30 starts) last season. He also led the NL with 15 losses. The veteran’s best season came back in 2016 when he pitched to a 16-10 record with a 2.83 ERA and 1.17 WHIP.
As it relates to Rainey, he saw action in eight games with the Reds last season, pitching to an absurdly high 24.43 ERA in seven innings. According to MLB.com, he entered the 2018 season as Cincinnati’s 23rd-ranked prospect.