Reds leave Meetings improved, with more to do

LAS VEGAS -- The Reds' baseball operations department left the Winter Meetings on Thursday having met at least one objective, while remaining hopeful that they can check off their remaining offseason goals in the days and weeks to come.
"We've got a pitcher that makes us better and we made some progress on some things," Reds general manager Nick Krall said. "We did not accomplish all that we want, but hopefully [we] are headed where we need to go."
In a trade on Wednesday, Cincinnati acquired right-handed starting pitcher Tanner Roark from the Nationals for reliever Tanner Rainey. It wasn't a blockbuster in any sense, but it meant that Krall and president of baseball operations Dick Williams could return home with a tangible improvement to the team, without giving up much.

Roark, who pitched 180 1/3 innings last season and can keep the ball on the ground, is expected to be a solid middle-of-the-rotation pitcher.
"I'm glad we've got a pitcher in hand," Krall said. "Now we'll continue to move on and see what's next."

BIGGEST REMAINING NEEDS

1. SP: After acquiring Roark from the Nationals, Williams and Krall made it clear they were not done trying to upgrade the rotation. They will remain engaged with both clubs and agents. On the free-agent market, Dallas Keuchel, Gio González, Wade Miley and Doug Fister are among those still unsigned. So is the Reds' lone free agent, Matt Harvey. On the trade front, pitchers like Toronto's Marcus Stroman and Oakland's Sonny Gray appear to be available.
   • Hot Stove Tracker | Reds reportedly considering Puig, Inciarte
   2. CF: The Reds had talked to the Braves about center fielder Ender Inciarte, sources told MLB.com on Tuesday. Reports also had Cincinnati in talks with the Dodgers about right fielder Yasiel Puig. It's not clear if the Reds think Puig could play in center field. The top free agent center fielders on the market remain A.J. Pollock and Adam Jones.

3. RP: Throughout the offseason, Williams indicated the Reds were still open to having additional bullpen arms -- depending on how things shake out in the rotation.
RULE 5 DRAFT
The Reds selected utility player Connor Joe from the Dodgers' Triple-A roster. A former first-round pick of the Pirates in 2014, Joe is able to play first base, second base, third base and the outfield. Cincinnati's 40-man roster is now at 38 players.
• Reds pick up versatile Joe in Rule 5 Draft
GM'S BOTTOM LINE
"It's going to depend on all of the other factors. It's hard to gauge that and say it's going to be in this exact time. Look, we've made some progress on some things, but who knows how it's going to turn out." -- Krall, when asked whether the Reds were close to making another deal.