Reds mistakenly kept the wrong relief pitcher at the trade deadline

As the Cincinnati Reds approached the trade deadline, it seemed their options were obvious. Much of the buzz around their available relievers pointed to Lucas Sims as the clear trade target, and Cincinnati did, indeed, deal the righty to the Red Sox. The performance of Justin Wilson, who has taken on Sims’s late-game duties, may have the Reds regretting their deadline decision.

Prior to joining Boston, Sims was locked in as the Reds’ eighth-inning guy. He either entered or pitched into the eighth inning in 23 of his 43 appearances with Cincinnati. He wasn’t always effective in these situations, though. Opponents have recorded a .907 OPS against Sims this season in situations deemed “late and close” by Baseball-Reference. Unfortunately, Wilson has been even worse.

Justin Wilson, who has been thrust into Lucas Sims' bullpen role, may make the Reds rethink their trade deadline decision

In 19 appearances since the Sims trade, Wilson has a 6.89 ERA. He has hit a real rough patch in September, a month that has seen him complete just four innings despite making seven appearances. He has allowed more home runs (3) than strikeouts (2).

Granted, Sims has had his own struggles in Boston. He hit the IL with a lat strain less than a month after joining the club, and he posted a bloated 8.10 ERA prior to the injury. Boston, meanwhile, has tumbled from six games over .500 to one game under .500.

If the Reds cut ties with Wilson this offseason, it will be a disappointing end to a feel-good story. The journeyman did a stint with the Reds in 2021, during which he tore his UCL. He eventually underwent Tommy John surgery and labored through several more injuries while signed to the Milwaukee Brewers and Los Angeles Dodgers. More than 700 days of rehab and uncertainty separated his appearances with Cincinnati.

The wheels now seem to have fallen off for Wilson. Sims returned from injury this week, and no matter how he ends the season for Boston, the Reds will likely question their decision each time Wilson takes the mound.

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