Is the Reds’ interest in Marcell Ozuna more of a red flag that they don't think a trio of Jesse Winker, Phillip Ervin and Aristides Aquino in the corners won't hold up well, or are they just trying to improve anywhere and everywhere?
-- Matt E., on Twitter

It’s more of the latter. This team needs to improve offensively after ranking 12th in the National League in runs scored and batting average this past season. Even though Cincinnati hit a club-record 227 home runs, the lineup scored only five more runs in 2019 than in ’18. It needs guys who can get on base and drive them in.

Outfield is a natural spot to seek upgrades for a variety of reasons. First, both Winker and center fielder Nick Senzel are coming off injury-shortened seasons and have durability questions. Aquino had a historic August of knocking homers, but his numbers collapsed in September, so it’s harder to predict what he might do in 2020.

A lefty hitter, Winker has a significant career split vs. right-handers (.307) compared to left-handers (.176). The right-handed-hitting Ervin, who got the most playing time of his career in 2019, was a .349 batter vs. lefties and .227 vs. righties. They could work as a platoon until one of them proves they can hit well against both types of pitchers. But acquiring someone like Ozuna, Nicholas Castellanos or Corey Dickerson offers more of a sure thing on offense.

Did the Reds even make a play for Yasmani Grandal? Bummed to see him go to the White Sox.
-- Ross D., on Facebook

The Reds definitely had interest in Grandal, who signed a four-year, $73 million contract with the White Sox on Thursday, with some no-trade protection reported as well. That seems like a steep price for a 31-year-old catcher. He also might fit better in the American League, where he can transition to designated hitter and first base during the back end of the deal.

The Reds can still roll with Tucker Barnhart and Curt Casali, and wait on prospect Tyler Stephenson while keeping an eye on the trade and free-agent markets for potential upgrades.

Do you feel there is a tight synergy between the coaching staff and the front office when attempting to acquire players?
-- Rich W., on Twitter

To a degree. Managers and some coaches are usually asked for their input about signing or trading for a player, and they can often be involved in the wooing process for free agents. With Reds manager David Bell being a full-time Cincinnati resident and working frequently at Great American Ball Park, he’s often in the meetings where players are discussed. His philosophies are certainly in step with the baseball operations department.

Homer Bailey had a pretty good season. Nothing like a No. 1 guy, but he could be a nice and cheap fit as the No. 5 guy the Reds need. Any chance they consider bringing him back if he’s healthy and if he would want to at the right price?
-- Kevin D., on Facebook

File this under the questions I never, ever thought I would get. Bailey went 1-14 with a 6.09 ERA in 20 starts over his final season with the Reds in 2018. He had a really nice stretch run with the postseason-bound A’s this year, posting a 2.25 ERA over his final eight starts. The Reds smartly got away from Bailey and the $28 million he was owed by dealing him to the Dodgers in last winter’s seven-player blockbuster trade. It was a divorce that has no hope for reconciliation.

What are the chances we see Brandon Finnegan in Cincinnati next season? Did his stint in Arizona last summer "fix" him?
-- Greg Z., on Facebook

Finnegan spent time last season at Kyle Boddy’s Driveline Baseball facility near Seattle to work on maximizing his tools and went to the team complex in Goodyear, Ariz., as well. The results when he got back into game action showed a 6.60 ERA in 13 appearances for Double-A Chattanooga with 14 hits allowed, 10 walks and 17 strikeouts over 15 innings. A small sample size, but still another sign that Finnegan hasn’t figured things out yet.

It will be interesting next month during the Rule 5 Draft. Finnegan was not added to Cincinnati’s 40-man roster before Wednesday's deadline, so he will be exposed to the other 29 clubs who may or may not think they can resurrect his career.