Cincinnati Reds bullpen solutions for 2018 will come from current roster

The Cincinnati Reds have the makings of a strong bullpen on current roster.

The Cincinnati Reds have a need to keep the bullpen steady. Assuming that the Reds don’t trade Raisel Iglesias, the backend of the bullpen is set. In addition to the closer, the Reds already have the set-up duo of Wandy Peralta, who won a spot on the team with a great spring, and starter turned reliever Michael Lorenzen.

The other three or four options for the Reds’ bullpen, however, are wide open. Some of the options will come from pitchers that tried to find a space in the rotation in 2017. The Reds used 30 pitchers in 2017 with sixtenn getting at least one start.

With the rookie trio of Luis Castillo, Tyler Mahle, and Sal Romano penciled into the starting rotation three spots are filled. Add in the immiment return of injured starters Anthony DeSclafani, Brandon Finnegan, and Homer Bailey and the Reds have too many starters. That leaves all of the other starting prospects available for the bullpen.

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A need for the bullpen is that of a lefty reliever beyond Peralta. Starters Amir Garrett and Cody Reed could both be in the mix for that role. Finnegan could also end up there if all of the starting pitchers are healthy coming out of spring training.

The Cincinnati Reds may add more pitching talent in trades for prospects this off-season.

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Catcher Devin Mesoraco and center fielder Billy Hamilton are likely to move on if a team makes a reasonable offer. Mesoraco is in the last season of an expensive deal. The Reds nearly moved Hamilton last off=season before deciding to keep him.

That means that the Reds could end up adding a bullpen prospect. They don’t need it, but it would add talent. That doesn’t even take into account the right-handed starters that aren’t cutting it or the other relievers from last year.

Tim Adleman and Robert Stephenson headline the list of starting pitchers that could play an important role in the bullpen. They are different types of pitchers, but both are legitimate MLB pitchers. Stephenson still projects long term as starter.

Ariel Hernandez, Austin Brice, and Kevin Shackelford all are going to defend their spots on the team. Each had high spots and low spots in 2017. Hernandez in particular looks like a future closer.

Next: How much could the Reds get for Iglesias?

The Reds don’t need to add more bullpen talent. They just need to let their talent develop. It may take patience, but the Reds will reap the rewards.

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