When the Cincinnati Reds set out to Get The Pitching this offseason, it seems in retrospect that they had a type. They were interested in arms they could acquire via trade, who are nearing the end of their current contracts, and had proven they could eat a considerable number of innings over the course of the season while contributing positively to a winning team. Sonny Gray met those requirements, and so did Tanner Roark, but there might not have been anyone who fit that description better than Alex Wood.
Wood, you might remember, was brought to Cincinnati as part of a deal that also landed the Reds Yasiel Puig, Matt Kemp and Kyle Farmer, all while ridding them of Homer Bailey, at the expense of two young prospects in the low minor leagues.