Cincinnati Reds: Top 3 pitchers to replace Raisel Iglesias as the new closer

1. Lucas Sims, Reds right-handed pitcher

Lucas Sims is my choice to take over for Raisel Iglesias as the Cincinnati Reds closer in 2021. Looking back at the 2018 trade that brought Sims, Matt Wisler, and Preston Tucker to Cincinnati in exchange for Adam Duvall is starting to look like phenomenal move by Cincinnati’s front office.

While Wisler and Tucker are no longer with the organization, Sims may have been the team’s best reliever in 2020. Sims went 3-0 with a 2.45 ERA over 25.2 innings. Sims struck out 34 batters and posted a 0.935 WHIP.

Sims and Garrett had identical ERAs in 2020, but Sims was effective against both right-handed and left-handed hitters. Sims also has the makeup to get a four-out or five-out save. It’s questionable if Garrett can go more than one inning, especially if there are multiple right-handed hitters in the lineup.

According to Baseball Savant, Sims’ spin on his fastball puts him in the 99th percentile, and his breaking ball is in a class all by itself. Sims has turned his career around since joining the Cincinnati Reds in 2018 and isn’t arbitration eligible until next winter.

Lucas Sims is the player Cincinnati should turn to late in games when a win is hanging in the balance. I could also see Garrett earning a few save opportunities next season, but those will likely be dictated by the matchup.