Former Boston Red Sox, Cincinnati Reds Reliever Nearing Deal with Washington Nationals

Lucas Sims, who was acquired by the Red Sox at the trade deadline last season, appears to be headed to Washington.

Cincinnati Reds pitcher Lucas Sims (39) delivers a pitch in the ninth inning of the MLB game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Chicago Cubs at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Saturday, June 8, 2024. | Albert Cesare/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK

Former Cincinnati Reds and Boston Red Sox reliever Lucas Sims is nearing a deal with the Washington Nationals, per a report from Chris Cotillo of MassLive.

Free agent news: Former Red Sox reliever Lucas Sims is nearing an agreement with the Nationals, sources say.

Free agent news: Former Red Sox reliever Lucas Sims is nearing an agreement with the Nationals, sources say.

— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) February 17, 2025

Sims, a 30-year-old Georgia native, has spent eight years in the big leagues with the Atlanta Braves, Cincinnati Reds, and Red Sox. He's 22-19 lifetime with a 4.50 ERA, spending nearly all of his career as a reliever: He's made only 14 starts in 245 appearances.

Sims made 67 appearances in 2023 for the Reds and made 58 last season between the Reds and Red Sox. He had a 6.43 ERA with Boston after the trade.

There's no word yet on if this is a minor league deal or a major league deal, but assuming that Sims makes the roster, he should have a chance for some significant innings at the back-end of the bullpen in Washington. The Nats non-tendered previous closer Kyle Finnegan and have yet to find a definitive replacement through the offseason.

The Nationals are coming off a season in which they finished fourth in the National League East. Though the division is a gauntlet with the free-spending Mets and Phillies, as well as the excellent Braves, things are looking up for Washington. They feature some of the best young talent in baseball, including outfielders Dylan Crews and James Wood.

Left-hander MacKenzie Gore and shortstop CJ Abrams also continue to grow into team leaders.

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