The Cincinnati Reds bullpen could look quite different by the time the 2023 season. Tejay Antone, Lucas Sims, Jeff Hoffman should all be back on the mound. The trio missed nearly all of the 2022 season due to injury.
It's doubtful that the Reds invest much into free agency. Cincinnati may look to bring back Chase Anderson and Buck Farmer next season, but any other veteran relievers will probably be signed to minor league contract shortly before spring training begin.
One player to keep an eye on as the offseason begins to unfold is Dauri Moreta. The right-hander had a cup of coffee in 2021 and last season, Moreta yo-yo'd between Triple-A Louisville and the major leagues. Moreta made a grand total of 35 appearances in 2022, including one start.
Is Reds reliever Dauri Moreta assured a spot on the 2023 roster?
Before looking at Dauri Moreta's contributions to the Cincinnati Reds in 2022, it's important to note that Tejay Antone, Lucas Sims, Tony Santillan, and Jeff Hoffman will all be returning from the injured list in 2023. Vladimir Gutierrez, who was also placed on the 60-day IL last season, will miss all of 2023 after undergoing Tommy John surgery.
As for Moreta, his strikeout numbers (9.16 K/9 and 24.4% strikeout-rate) were good. His walk-rate of 8.8% was also in-line where most folks would expect to see a first-year reliever. But it was the home run that did Moreta in during the 2022 season.
Moreta allowed 10 round trippers in 38.1 innings of work last season. Among Reds relief pitchers, only Luis Cessa allowed more round trippers. However, eight of Cessa's 14 home runs allowed came as a starter.
Dauri Moreta should remain part of the Cincinnati Reds roster during the offseason due his age (26), minor league options remaining (2), and his elite fastball velocity (84ht percentile according to Baseball Savant). But Moreta will have to keep the ball in the ballpark if he hopes to remain as part of the Reds in 2023.