5 moves from the Cincinnati Reds 2021 season that didn't work out

Cincinnati Reds third baseman Eugenio Suarez (7) argues with an umpire.
Cincinnati Reds third baseman Eugenio Suarez (7) argues with an umpire. | Sam Greene / USA TODAY NETWORK
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Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Carson Fulmer (41) delivers in the ninth inning.
Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Carson Fulmer (41) delivers in the ninth inning. | Kareem Elgazzar via Imagn Content

5. The Reds pieced together a substandard bullpen.

When you look at the Cincinnati Reds bullpen as we head into the 2022 season, there are some holes to be sure. But it looks nothing like the ridiculous compilation of arms that the Redlegs ran out to begin the 2021 season.

Take a look at the names who were part of Cincinnati's relief corps to began last season. Sean Doolittle, Carson Fulmer, Cionel Pérez, Cam Bedrosian, and Sal Romano were all part of the Reds Opening Day roster. This was in addition to José De León and Jeff Hoffman beginning the year in the starting rotation.

The only player from that list who's still on the Reds offseason roster is Hoffman. Along the way, Cincinnati added the likes of Heath Hembree, Brad Brach, Josh Osich, Ashton Goudeau, Edgar Garcia, and Michael Feliz to their relief corps as well.

David Bell saw 10 differnt pitchers record a save in 2021. Thankfully, the Reds added Luis Cessa, Mychal Givens, and Justin Wilson at the trade deadline. However, had Nick Krall and Reds front office pulled the trigger sooner or given Bell some better relievers to begin the season, we may have seen our beloved Redlegs in the playoffs last year.

The failure to add a legitimate shortstop to the Opening Day roster was bad, but to run out that bullpen was inexcusable. The fact that Cincinnati was even in contention during the month of September is a testament to the job that Bell and his staff did in 2021.

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