Cincinnati Reds Bullpen May Be Full Ahead of the 2024 Season

Reds have plenty of bullpen options, but not many available spots.

Author:
Jeff Carr
Publish date:
Jan 12, 2024 1:37 PM EST

In this story:

The Cincinnati Reds set out to improve the pitching staff this offseason. Nick Krall has brought in a handful of talented pitchers which means there aren't many available spots.

There are some pitchers who may not be in the Opening Day bullpen, including the one who tossed the most innings out of the ‘pen last season.

New addition Brent Suter will be a key member of a strong pen.

With Emilio Pagan, the Reds have a talented middle relief pitcher, if not a solid setup man. Buck Farmer is back and if Nick Martinez doesn’t make the Opening Day starting rotation, you can bet that he'll land in the bullpen. Plus, Alexis Diaz isn’t going anywhere after finishing with 37 saves last season. Lucas Sims is a lock, and so is Sam Moll.

That leaves one spot. The Reds will carry 13 pitchers on the roster, which means eight total bullpen spots. If everything goes well in spring training and everyone makes it through, healthy, then Martinez gets one of these spots. If he's in the rotation, then here are the candidates for the final opening.

Fernando Cruz had a higher strikeout rate and a lower walk rate than Diaz last season. He showed a great swing and miss ability with his splitter. He'll also be 34 years old and it’s fair to wonder if his performance from last year is repeatable.

Alex Young is another option. He would give them a second lefty in the bullpen. Young can vouch for the importance of that as he was used quite frequently I the first half of last season. Moll could use a pal in the ‘pen.

Ian Gibaut tossed 74 games last season, which would make you think he’s a lock. He also is out of options which means he’d have to pass through waivers to go to Triple-A. It’s highly likely he’d be picked up off waivers if exposed. A sign of the evolution of the Reds pitching staff may mean its necessary to move on from Gibaut though.

There are some dark horse contenders like Daniel Duarte or Casey Legumina. Maybe Levi Stoudt shows out or a non-roster pitcher surprises.

Tejay Antone could even prove to be an option, if he shows his arm is healthy. It's hard to count on him after he came back from his second Tommy John surgery last year and suffered another arm injury. He is very talented, but availability is the best ability.

There’s an argument to be made for Cruz over Young or Gibaut. Spring training will reveal who deserves that spot in the Reds bullpen.

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