Cincinnati Reds look to work on the front end of bullpen after solving the back end

After discovering the duo of Raisel Iglesias and Michael Lorenzen as end of game relievers, the Cincinnati Reds now move to work on the front end.

The Cincinnati Reds believe that they have three end of game relievers in Iglesias, Lorenzen, and current closer, Tony Cingrani.  They also appear to have faith in Blake Wood to get out of jams in the middle of the inning.  Beyond that, it’s anyone’s guess.

There are two pitchers that won’t be back: Alfredo Simon and Ross Ohlendorf.  Simon only pitched four relief appearances after his time as a starter ended in disaster.  He is now on the 60-day DL and gone for the rest of the season.  Ohlendorf quietly led the Cincinnati Reds’ bullpen in WHIP in the first half of season, but is a veteran in a youth movement.  Of course, stranger things have happened.

That leaves two or three spots in next year’s bullpen open for discussion.  The Reds have called up several youngsters since September 1, to give them a chance.  The latest duo is Mike Magill and Abel De Los Santos.  Magill has been on and off the 40-man roster, but unable to find another interested team.  De Los Santos was claimed off waivers from the Washington Nationals.

The Reds have also added Josh Smith and Wandy Peralta from Louisville since the rosters expanded.  The Reds had previously recalled Jumbo Diaz and Keyvius Sampson to the majors along with the now injured Cody Reed.  It’s really six pitchers with two spots open.

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Let’s take a look at what may happen.

Since all six are on the 40-man roster, none of them is at a decided disadvantage.  The first thing that stands out is that Cingrani doesn’t do all that well against lefties.  He is really a seventh inning pitcher and maybe even a two inning guy.  That means the Reds need a lefty specialist.

The guy that fits that bill is Peralta.  He has had a very good transition from starter to reliever this year.  His only other competition could come from current starters, John Lamb and Reed.

Cody Reed

Both missed time this year, but are still likely to start the season at AAA as starting pitchers.

That leaves one spot in the bullpen for the other holdovers.  Jumbo Diaz is probably on the outside looking in as he is a one inning pitcher and the last holdover need to be a multi-inning reliever.  That would make Smith a favorite as he has been a multi-inning reliever most of his time with the Reds this year.

Next: Cincinnati Reds fight for fourth

Magill, also, is a favorite.  He has been a multi-inning reliever in the minors.  Unlike Smith, Magill pitched only as a reliever since joining the Reds’ organization.  This makes the recent call-up of Magill paramount to his future with the Reds.