Cincinnati Reds' Nick Krall on possible Trevor Bauer return: 'Don't see that as an option'

After signing a pair of right-handers to short-term contracts, Cincinnati Reds team president Nick Krall said he’s on the lookout for more roster improvements — but without specifics about even what positions.

When asked about the chances of returning from next week’s winter meetings with another big-league addition, he said he didn’t know.

Reds Elly De La Cruz Elly De La Cruz is ready to play wherever the Reds need him in 2024

Reds offseason moves 'Everyone knows we’re supposed to be good.' The Reds are embracing new expectations

Reds offseason moves Cincinnati Reds land starter Nick Martinez after reliever Emilio Pagán

But he left no doubt about one thing: The Reds have no interest in a reunion with the team’s only Cy Young winner, Trevor Bauer.

“Trevor was here,” Krall said. “I don’t see that as an option for us.”

It was as certain and final as Krall and the Reds got about any of their remaining offseason plans Friday after making official the signings of reliever Emilio Pagán and penciled-in starter Nick Martinez on two-year contracts.

Don’t be surprised if the Reds continue to show interest in multi-year free agent starters or continue to kick the tires on possible trade targets such as Shane Bieber or Tyler Glasnow.

“I thought we were going to get Sonny Gray,” second baseman Jonathan India said of the former Reds teammate and pal who signed a four-year deal with the St. Louis Cardinals after flirting with a return to Cincinnati.

Reds Hall of Famers Former Cincinnati Reds All-Star Brandon Phillips makes Hall of Fame ballot

Reds trade possibilities Who is Tyler Glasnow? ESPN's Passan suggests Cincinnati Reds trade for Tampa Bay pitcher

Reds Joey Votto Wittenmyer & Williams: See bold predictions for Cincinnati Reds, Joey Votto this winter

“I talked to him when he signed, congratulated him,” India said. “It would have been nice to have him back. I know we were one of the teams very interested in him.”

As much as there might have been mutual interest there, that’s not the case for Bauer, who spent the past season pitching in Japan after being suspended under MLB’s domestic violence and sexual assault policy and subsequently being released by the Los Angeles Dodgers following a successful grievance that shortened the suspension.

Bauer is in his first full winter of free agency since the Dodgers released him.

On Monday, he responded on social media to a Reds fan asking about interest in going back to Cincinnati, where the 2018 All-Star landed after a 2019 trade-deadline deal with Cleveland. He went on to lead the National League in ERA (1.73) during the pandemic-shortened 2020 playoff season and winning the franchise’s first Cy Young Award.

“Yeah of course,” he responded on the platform formerly known as Twitter. “Loved playing in Cinci and never got to celebrate playoffs with the fans, still have a lot of friends there, got on really well with the staff and front office, and the team is good and has real winning chances, what’s not to like?”

Whether Bauer, 32, finds another landing spot in the majors, it won’t be with the Reds.

Meanwhile, the newly inked Martinez — who made nine starts for the San Diego Padres as a swingman last year — will go to spring training in the competition for a rotation spot, joining a group of young starters that include Hunter Greene, Graham Ashcraft, Nick Lodolo, Andrew Abbott, Brandon Williamson and Connor Phillips.

“He has done well in both roles,” Krall said of Martinez’s success at starting as well as bullpen work, including high-leverage innings. “We’ll see what happens when it shakes out in spring training. I could absolutely see him in the rotation. There’s a lot of people competing for spots in the rotation.”

Martinez, 33, was 10-8 with a 3.45 ERA in two seasons in San Diego, including 4-4 with a 3.41 ERA in 19 starts across 95 innings.

A two-year, $26 million contract that was finalized Friday includes $14 million in 2024 and an opt-out clause attached to the $12 million second year.

He sounded confident Friday that he’ll be a regular in the rotation but spoke of higher priorities, too.

“I think my best talents are served as a starter,” he said. “And I think the way they structured the contract shows that they believe that also. But running into a playoff run and trying to make a push to get to the playoffs, I’m up for whatever (role). I want to win. I think this team is hungry to win as well. And I just want to be along for the ride.”

Krall said he continues to look for upgrades among the pitching and hitting groups, through both free agency and trade avenues.

And if starting pitching looked like a priority heading into the offseason, adding Martinez didn’t necessarily change that outlook with more than two months left before spring training.

“I feel we have some more quality innings in both players; I wouldn’t say it’s more or less,” said Krall, whose $16 million deal with Pagán includes salaries of $8 million each season with a 2025 opt-out similar to Martinez’s. ”We’re just trying to figure out if we can continue to upgrade our club.”

So, again, not much in the way of specifics to offer at this point.

Except maybe in one case. When it comes to one familiar face.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati Reds don't see Trevor Bauer as an option for rotation