Reds' newest addition just put one pitcher firmly on notice

The Cincinnati Reds shipped Gavin Lux out of town as part of a three-team deal with the Los Angeles Angels and Tampa Bay Rays, and in return, received left-handed relief pitcher Brock Burke. The southpaw posted a 3.36 ERA in 69 appearances out of the Angels' bullpen last season and is expected to be a high-leverage arm for Terry Francona in 2026.

Burke will join forces with free agent acquisition (and fellow left-hander) Caleb Ferguson at the backend of the Reds bullpen, and now, Sam Moll may no longer have a spot on the roster — especially after his disastrous showing during the 2025 season.

Reds reliever Sam Moll faces an uphill battle after Cincy added Brock Burke to the bullpen

Moll was infamously the team's only move at the 2023 trade deadline, but certainly delivered during the second half of that season. He allowed just two earned runs in 24⅔ innings to help lead the bullpen down the stretch.

Unfortunately, Moll hasn't been the same since. He was good when healthy in 2024, earning a 3.35 ERA in 37⅔ innings, but a left shoulder impingement which required surgery prematurely ended his campaign and negatively impacted his performance on the mound last season. The 34-year-old was only given 18⅓ frames of work in 2025, and posted a ghastly 6.38 ERA.

His struggles became so profound that he was sent down to Triple-A in early September, leaving Brent Suter as the lone lefty in the Reds bullpen down the stretch. Many assumed that Moll would be non-tendered last year, but he survived the roster cuts in November.

Moll's contract — a one-year, $875,000 agreement — is incredibly inexpensive, but he's out of minor-league options. That means he'll have to break camp with the big league ball club and remain on the active roster throughout the entire season, or the Reds will risk losing him to outright waivers if they intend to ship him back to the minor leagues.

A strong performance during spring training is vital for Moll to keep his spot in the Reds bullpen, but after trading for Burke, he appears to be on the outside looking in.