The Cincinnati Reds declined to pick up the $10 million club option in Wade Miley's contract, signaling a scaled down payroll for next season, and watched him join the Chicago Cubs after he was claimed on waivers Friday.
Miley had a 12-7 record and a 3.37 ERA in 28 starts last season, pitching 163 innings. A neck strain limited his effectiveness in September, but he was one of the league's better pitchers throughout the 2021 season. The Reds decided that was too much of a luxury.
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Left-handed reliever Justin Wilson exercised his $2.3 million player option for next year to remain with the organization for the 2022 season. The Reds declined the conditional club option to extend Wilson’s contract to include the 2023 season for the league minimum, plus $500,000.
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Moving on from Miley is the first surprising move of the offseason after the Reds traded catcher Tucker Barnhart and Nick Castellanos opted out of his contract. The Cubs, a division rival, didn't hesitate to claim Miley on waivers and prevent him from entering free agency.
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The Reds had their first chance to show their hand for the offseason and they put Miley on waivers, which saves the club from paying a $1 million buyout.
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