3 worst Reds free agent signings since Nick Krall became GM

2. Reds GM Nick Krall swung and missed with the deal for Sean Doolittle.

The Cincinnati Reds non-tendered Archie Bradley after the team's playoff appearance in 2020. Cincinnati had just traded two of their younger players to the Arizona Diamondbacks for Bradley's services only a few months prior. The $5M-plus that Bradley was slated to make in 2021 was too high for the Reds liking.

Cincinnati also dismissed closer Raisel Iglesias. The right-hander was dealt to the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for reliever Noe Ramirez, a pitcher whom the Reds would release prior to the 2021 season.

Instead of Bradley or Iglesias, the Reds decided to sign longtime Washington Nationals' closer Sean Doolittle to a one-year/$1.5M contract. Doolittle did, well, very little in 2021. The left-hander made 45 appearances out of the Cincinnati bullpen and seemed to cough up a lead nearly every time he toed the rubber.

Doolittle earned just one save in 2021 and blew a save on four different occasions. Doolittle was eventually designated for assignment in August and was claimed off waivers by the Seattle Mariners. The southpaw pitched in 11 games for the M's and became a free agent once again during the offseason.

Sean Doolittle returned to the Washington Nationals in 2022, but after landing on the IL in April, the lefty never returned to the Nats' bullpen. Doolittle pitched in just six games for the Nationals last season.