Cincinnati Reds: Predicting the bullpen after addition of Sean Doolittle

Adding Sean Doolittle gives the Reds a veteran leader in the bullpen.

The Cincinnati Reds relief corp got a boost on Tuesday afternoon with the signing of former Washington Nationals’ closer Sean Doolittle. The left-hander brings a much needed veteran presence to a bullpen that will undoubtedly have young players elevated to positions they’ve not yet been in. What does the rest of Cincinnati’s bullpen look like?

While Sean Doolittle’s 2020 season was a forgettable one, the former Oakland A’s draft choice is hopeful for a bounce-back season in the Queen City. Doolittle struggled with injuries in 2020 and posted a 5.87 ERA in just 7.2 innings of work. Doolittle’s 1.696 WHIP was a far cry from his career 0.954 WHIP the lefty owned before heading into last season.

Doolittle, a two-time All-Star, brings a solid track record, striking out 60-plus batters in each season from 2017-2019 and putting up a 2.94 ERA and 3.03 FIP. Doolittle’s 10.8 strikeouts per nine innings during that span is quite impressive, as is the southpaw’s 1.8 walks per nine innings. If Doolittle bounces back, he could be key cog in the Reds retooled bullpen.

But who’ll likely be joining the nine-year veteran? Some players on the Cincinnati Reds roster a shoe-ins to make the cut, while others are sitting the bubble. While Doolittle may take on the closer’s role heading into the 2021 season, there’s a few others who’ll battle it out in spring training for that right. Who else will join Sean Doolittle in the Reds pen during the upcoming season?

Tejay Antone is one of the few locks to be part of the Reds bullpen.

There’s going to be a logjam heading into spring training for those players looking to secure a spot among the Cincinnati Reds relief corp. While Tejay Antone may be given the opportunity to earn a spot in the starting rotation, I think it’s much more likely he takes the role held by Michael Lorenzen over the past few seasons while Mikey Biceps transitions into a starter.

Antone broke onto the scene last year and announced that he’s here to stay. During his 2020 rookie campaign, the 27-year-old started four games and made another nine appearances out of the bullpen. Antone’s numbers in relief were quite impressive, going 0-1 with a 1.89 ERA and putting up 27 strikeouts over 19 innings of work out of the bullpen.

As for who joins the quartet of Antone, Sean Doolittle, Amir Garrett, and Lucas Sims, there’s only two other players that I’d assume are safe and can be considered a lock for the Reds bullpen; Noé Ramirez, whom Cincinnati acquired from the Los Angeles Angels, and José De León, who’s out of minor league options.

Ramirez haas 184 games of major league experience, which is something that can’t be brushed aside. Last season, in 21 games, the right-hander posted a 3.00 ERA and struck out 14 batters. De León is a player the organization covets, so he’ll either be inserted into the starting rotation or find a spot in the bullpen.

The trio of Doolittle, Garrett, and Sims will likely find themselves working during the latter parts of the game and in high-leverage situations. Antone could find his way into the role as well, while it’s likely we’ll see Ramirez and De León enter the game between the sixth and seventh innings.

The final two spots in the Reds bullpen are up for grabs.

Looking at the Cincinnati Reds bullpen, and assuming Sean Doolittle, Amir Garrett, Lucas Sims, Noé Ramirez, José De León, and Tejay Antone are locks to make the Opening Day roster, there are still two spots remaining. These final two selections may come down to one thing; who has minor league options and who doesn’t?

Nick Krall has been searching all winter for relief pitchers with minor league options remaining; something that gives the Reds General Manager roster flexibility. There’s going to be a handful of players that will get very familiar with the drive up I-71 from Louisville to Cincinnati.

So who, among those on the 40-man roster in competition for the finals two spots in the Reds bullpen, have minor league options remaining? Art Warren, Riley O’Brien, Brandon Bailey, Cionel Pérez, Hector Perez, and Ryan Hendrix all have minor league options remaining.

Now, it’s not to say the aforementioned six players will not get chance to make the team or compete for spot, but the ability to option those players to the minor leagues is something that Krall and front office will certainly consider if it means keeping a similar pitcher, who’s out of options, on the roster.

That leads me to believe, unless one of those six players really wows the coaching staff or a veteran signed to a minor-league deal impresses during spring training, that Sal Romano and Jeff Hoffman will occupy the final two spots in the Reds bullpen. Will they remain there all season? That remains to be seen, but the Reds have a penchant for squeezing every last drop out of players in their situation.