Nick Krall has made no bones about the fact he has financial flexibility to improve the Cincinnati Reds this offseason. With Reynaldo Lopez signing a deal to play for the Atlanta Braves, the Reds will need to be ready to get into bidding wars this offseason.

Multiple reports have Lopez signing a three-year, $30 million deal with the Braves.

Spotrac.com had Lopez signing for somewhere around $6 million per year. The initial number may seem like an overpay. Then reports surfaced of the Braves plan for Lopez.

Atlanta plans to stretch him out into a starting pitcher this offseason. Lopez has been a full time relief pitcher for two years, but he was moved to the Chicago White Sox bullpen due to injuries and ineffectiveness. He started 32 games in 2018 and 33 games in 2019, but hasn’t started more than nine games in a season since then.

Krall has said that part of the plan this offseason could be to sign a versatile pitcher who can pitch in relief or make a spot start, so this Braves move could be seen as a template. As most pitchers have ambitions to be a starting pitcher, that could be a leg up at the negotiating table for Krall.

One thing is certain, however Krall negotiates with free agents this offseason, the Reds will need to spend to improve their roster.