Reds News: Lucas Sims joins NL upstart, Mets sign Connor Overton, Andrew Abbott
Free agency has been a long and arduous process for a number of veterans this offseason. While fans were shocked to see All-Star outfielder Juan Soto receive a $765 million contract from the New York Mets this winter, not every free agent has seen that type of lucrative bidding war for his services.
In fact, several quality players remain unsigned. Alex Verdugo, Anthony Rizzo, Mark Canha, and J.D. Martinez are still on the unemployment line. Several aging veterans — including former Cincinnati Reds reliever Buck Farmer — had to settle for minor-league deals this winter just to land a job.
Reds News: Lucas Sims signs major-league deal with Nationals
But one of Farmer’s ex-teammates was fortunate enough to land a major-league deal this offseason. Former Reds reliever Lucas Sims finally found a home this offseason. Sims agreed to a one-year, $3 million deal with the Washington Nationals.
Sims was the Reds’ elder statesman last season before being dealt to the Boston Red Sox at the MLB trade deadline. After being one of the Reds’ stalwart relievers for years, Sims struggled to find his footing in 2024. With free agency looming, Cincinnati decided to trade the right-hander to Boston last July. Sims finished his 2024 campaign with 4.38 ERA and only 49 punch outs in 49 ⅓ innings of work.
Reds News: Connor Overton signs MiLB deal with NY Mets
Connor Overton was a forgotten pitcher last season; mostly because he spent the entire year rehabbing in the minor leagues. Overton broke camp with the Reds in 2023, but his season ended prematurely after sustaining an elbow injury. Overton was able to work his back last season and made 17 appearances in the minors, but never earned a late-season call-up.
Overton was cut loose this winter, but the Mets decided to take a flier on the veteran starter after signing the 31-year-old to a minor-league deal. New York received some bad news earlier this week after learning that former Reds starter Frankie Montas suffered an injury and will be sidelined to start the 2025 season. Perhaps Overton can finagle his way onto the Mets Opening Day roster.
Reds News: Andrew Abbott continues to ramp up
One of the things Nick Krall and Reds front office did this offseason was add depth to the team’s starting rotation. Cincinnati extended a qualifying offer to Nick Martinez, traded for Brady Singer, and signed Wade Miley to a minor-league deal. But if the Reds are going to be successful, they need their young core of starters to step up and make 25-plus starts this season.
One of those starters who’s been slowed this spring is Andrew Abbott. The left-hander has been battling a shoulder issue that gave him fits in 2024. But earlier this week Abbott threw a bullpen session and reported no setbacks a day after throwing. The hope is that Abbott’s delay won’t keep him off the Reds Opening Day roster, but the southpaw is still taking it slow.
