Reds sign minor league journeyman in quiet attempt to strengthen pitching depth

After losing Emilio Pagán, Nick Martinez, Brent Suter, and Scott Barlow to free agency this offseason, the Cincinnati Reds need to heavily invest in their bullpen. Right-hander Taylor Floyd isn't a household name, but he could be an intriguing arm to follow once the Reds arrive in Goodyear next spring. Cincinnati signed the 27-year-old journeyman to a minor-league deal earlier this week.

Floyd was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers back in 2019 after his collegiate career at Texas Tech. He overlapped with former Red Raider — and Reds draft pick — Bryce Bonnin who was selected during the third round of the abbreviated 2020 MLB Draft. Floyd has also logged time in the Minnesota Twins organization and was selected by the Seattle Mariners during the minor-league portion of last year's Rule 5 Draft.

Reds sign minor league reliever Taylor Floyd to a contract and assign him to Double-A

Floyd has been stuck in neutral the past two seasons, failing to advance past the Double-A level. Last season at Double-A Arkansas, he made 45 appearances out of the Travelers bullpen and racked up 68 punch outs while posting a 4.53 ERA. In six minor league seasons, Floyd has struck out an average of 10.7 batters per nine innings pitched, but unfortunately his walk numbers (4.6 BB/9) have held him back.

Though his minor league transaction page doesn't specifically state it, one can assume that Floyd will receive a non-roster invite to spring training when the Reds arrive in Arizona next year. Given the number of available openings in the Reds bullpen at the moment, a strong showing next spring could propel Floyd into a possible spot on the Opening Day roster.

Reds fans, of course, are hoping that Nick Krall and the front office stop hunting for bargains and start shopping for bigger names on the free agent market. Pagán is certainly a candidate who could return in 2026, as is Suter. But Cincy's relief corps is going to need more than just a couple Major League signings to bolster the bullpen, and adding an arm like Floyd could prove useful in the long run.