This free agent pitcher is the left-handed reliever the Reds should target
Adding one more left-handed reliever to the bullpen would put the Reds' relief corps in great shape heading into 2024.
![Miami Marlins pitcher Matt Moore](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_3027,h_1702,x_0,y_74/c_fill,w_752,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/GettyImages/mmsport/64/01hjdywzhas677xp2bqh.jpg)
The Cincinnati Reds roster, as currently constructed, has two left-handers in the bullpen. Sam Moll seems like a lock to be part of the Reds relief corps in 2024, while Alex Young is probably a fringe-option to join the Opening Day roster.
Cincinnati was dealt a blow last season after Reiver Sanmartin landed on the 60-day IL with an elbow injury. Sanmartin required Tommy John surgery, was non-tendered earlier this offseason, but re-signed to a minor-league deal.
Sanmartin is unlikely to return until midseason, and while Young isn't a bad option coming out of the bullpen, his reverse splits would suggest that his best matchup is not against left-handed hitters. There are several lefties available this offseason, but Matt Moore could be a good fit for the Reds.
Matt Moore is the LHP the Reds should target
After a horrific season in 2021, Matt Moore has put together back-to-back solid campaigns. In 2022, Moore went 5-2 with a 1.95 ERA and 27.3-percent strikeout-rate. This past season, the left-hander was 5-1 witha 2.56 ERA and 27.5-percent strikeout-rate.
Moore gets the opposition to swing and miss. Some Reds fans want to see Cincinnati's front office chase a ground ball pitcher, and with good reason. But do the Reds really have the type of defense behind their pitching staff to take on that type of hurler?
While Elly De La Cruz has all the physical talent in the world, his defense lagged behind during his rookie season. Matt McLain is arguably the team's best defender, but with Jonathan India on the roster, it's debatable as to whether or not McLain would be playing second base on a regular basis.
Securing a strikeout pitcher like Moore would elevate those worries. Moore's 35-percent ground ball-rate could prove to be problematic in the launching pad that is Great American Ball Park, but his 34.9-percent chase-rate was among the best in baseball.
Matt Moore, much like the aforementioned Alex Young, had reverse splits in 2023. However, for his career, Moore's splits are about even. Adding one more lefty would greatly boost the Cincinnati Reds relief corps, and Moore would be a soild choice to join Young and Sam Moll.
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