Rangers cutting former Reds reliever vindicates Cincinnati after trade backlash

The Cincinnati Reds made a bold trade last spring and dealt former closer Alexis Diaz to the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for minor league right-hander Mike Villani. The Reds were heavily criticized at the time for parting with a talented, young reliever who was an All-Star back not even two years prior.

But based on the Texas Rangers most recent decision, the Reds knew exactly what they were doing all along. Diaz signed a deal with the Rangers this past offseason, but on Friday, Texas designated the right-hander for assignment. Diaz will now be on the hunt for his fifth organization in less than a year.

Reds proven right after Rangers DFA Alexis Diaz

Diaz struggled with the Rangers this spring. He made just three Cactus League appearances for Texas and allowed eight runs on just three hits. How does that even happen? Because, as he did so often during his time in Cincinnati, he walked too many opposing batters. Over 1⅔ innings pitched this spring, Diaz walked four batters and hit another one.

Diaz put together an All-Star campaign with the Reds in 2023. After debuting as a rookie in 2022, Diaz was elevated to the closer's role the following season. He was arguably the best reliever in the game upon his trip to the Midsummer Classic. Heading into the All-Star break, Diaz made 41 appearances out the Reds bullpen, recorded 26 saves and 61 punch outs, while posting a 2.03 ERA. Diaz was lights out.

But it's been all downhill ever since. During the second-half of the 2023 season, Diaz began to show cracks in his performance. He went 27⅓ innings and posted an underwhelming 4.61 ERA and 4.94 FIP to close out the season. The following year, he racked up 28 saves, but his ERA exploded to 3.99 and fans were beginning to wonder what happened to their All-Star closer.

It all came tumbling down last season. Diaz began the year on the IL and later appeared in just six games before being optioned to the minor leagues. He traded to the Dodgers in May and made his LA debut in July. He lasted just nine games before being released. The Atlanta Braves picked him up and he made three more relief appearances to close out the season.

Diaz is a real-life example of how volatile the life of a reliever can be. Whether it's mechanic, injury-related, or something between the ears, Diaz will have get things right if he ever hopes to be able to return to the big leagues.