Opening Day is still a few months away, but the Cincinnati Reds roster is beginning to take shape. Reds President of Baseball Operations Nick Krall has done a nice job so far this offseason, and has addressed some of Cincinnati's biggest concerns heading into the 2024 season.
One of the Reds biggest shortcomings last season was the team's bullpen. The relief corps provided Cincinnati with a chance to win, and some nights, the Reds bullpen was the reason David Bell's team was able to walk away with the W. However, by the end of the season, the relievers were exhausted.
With a chance to compete for the NL Central in 2024, Krall has added some reinforcements. If the season started today, what might the Cincinnati Reds bullpen look like?
If the 2024 season started today, what would the Reds bullpen look like?
The Cincinnati Reds have added two relievers already this offseason, and depending on how the team uses Nick Martinez in 2024, they may have three. But for now, it appears as though Martinez will be given a chance to crack the Reds starting rotation.
But after signing Emilio Pagán earlier this offseason, and inking Buck Farmer to a one-year deal just this week, the Reds are one left-hander away from having a very formidable group of reliever. As it stands, however, Cincinnati's bullpen is shaping up to be a strength of the team in 2024.
In addition to Pagán and Farmer, the Reds will be returning Alexis Diaz, Lucas Sims, and Fernando Cruz. That trio of right-handers figures to get the lion's share of opportunities late in games when the Reds have the lead.
Player | Position |
---|---|
Alexis Diaz | RHP |
Buck Farmer | RHP |
Sam Moll | LHP |
Lucas Sims | RHP |
Tejay Antone | RHP |
Ian Gibaut | RHP |
Emilio Pagán | RHP |
Fernando Cruz | RHP |
Sam Moll, Cincinnati's lone acquisition at last year's trade deadline, was phenomenal during the second-half of the 2023 season. At the moment, Moll is likely to be the only southpaw in the bullpen.
Ian Gibaut is out of minor-league options, and after his showing in 2023, the right-hander is almost certainly going to break camp with the Reds heading into Opening Day next season.
At the moment, the final spot in the bullpen would appear to be a tossup between Tejay Antone and Alex Young. Antone's health is the biggest reason he's not a slam dunk to be part of next year's bullpen. Both Antone and Young have minor-league options remaining.
The Cincinnati Reds bullpen could use one more addition heading into spring training, but if the front office fails to make any more additions, the Reds' relief corps is already improved from where it was a year ago.