Reds report card: Grading Sam Moll's effective 2023 season

When the 2023 MLB trade deadline was approaching, the Cincinnati faithful had a laundry list of demands for then-general manager Nick Krall.

The Cincinanti Reds were in a pennant chase and Reds Country badly wanted Krall and the Cincinnati front office to add a starter or two before August 1st in order to bolster the team's postseason chances.

In the end, the Reds made just one addition to the roster. But, that lone acquisition turned out to be terrific deal for Cincinnati, as Sam Moll did his job to perfection after landing in the Queen City at the trade deadline.

The Reds got exactly what they needed from Sam Moll in 2023.

The Cincinnati Reds came into the 2023 season a bit more prepared than a year ago. After going through spurts in 2022 without a single left-handed pitcher in the bullpen, the Reds broke camp with both Alex Young and Reiver Sanmartin.

Unfortunately, Sanmartin suffered a season-ending injury, and Young became the only southpaw in the Cincinnati bullpen. But Nick Krall, seeing the need for another lefty, was able to secure the services of Sam Moll from the Oakland Athletics. In return, the A's received erratic, but effective pitching prospect Joe Boyle.

But Moll was an outstanding addition to the Reds bullpen. At 31 years old, Moll won't even be eligible for aribtration until after next season. The left-hander also has minor league options remaining, which is a huge bonus for the Reds as they try to assemble a competitive team moving forward.

Moreover, Moll was lights out during his time in Cincinnati. Moll kept the ball on the ground better than 50-percent of the time and surrendered just one home run in over 24 innings pitched.

Against left-handed hitters, Moll was dominant. He owned a strikeout-rate of 34-percent and lefties hit just .109 off Moll. When matched up against left-handed hitters, Moll owned a sparkling 1.55 FIP according to FanGraphs.

The only problem with Sam Moll's performance during the 2023 season is that he spent the first half of it in Oakland. The Cincinnati Reds have a keeper in their left-handed specialist.