3 Reds relievers who could replace Amir Garrett in the bullpen after trade to Royals

3. Reiver Sanmartin is the Reds best option to replace Amir Garrett.

With the addition of Mike Minor on Wednesday, I believe the Cincinnati Reds will scrap the idea of adding Reiver Sanmartin to the starting rotation. Instead, look for Reds skipper David Bell to move the left-hander to the bullpen where Sanmartin will have a better chance to make the Opening Day roster and have a bigger impact on the outcome of games in 2022.

Yes, Sanmartin looked very good in his two starts last season for the Reds, but let's not act like the southpaw was going head-to-head with the Los Angeles Dodgers, or even the St. Louis Cardinals. Sanmartin's successful debut was against the lowly Pittsburgh Pirates. The left-handed hurler went 11.2 innings, struck out 11 batters, and allowed two earned runs.

But Sanmartin is not built to be a starter over the long haul. The lefty has never filled out his 6-foot-2 frame, and while Sanmartin started 14 games at Triple-A Louisville in 2021, he also came on in relief seven times as well. With Amir Garrett now Kansas City, the Cincinnati Reds need an additional left-handed reliever, and Reiver Sanmartin fits the bill perfectly.

Sanmartin has a three-pitch mix that includes a slider and a changeup in addition to his fastball. The lefty can fill up the strike zone, doesn't walk many batters, and keeps the ball in the park (0.54 HR/9 in the minor leagues last season).

With Luis Castillo, Tyler Mahle, Vladimir Gutierrez, and now Mike Minor filling out four of the five spot in the rotation, Reiver Sanmartin's chances of starting a slim; especially with top pitching prospects Hunter Greene and Nick Lodolo in the mix as well. Sanmartin's best shot to make the Opening Day roster is by replacing Amir Garrett in the bullpen.