Reds strike trade with Orioles that closes door on failed offseason move

The Cincinnati Reds designated Kyle Nicolas for assignment just last week to make room for right-hander Zach McKimbley. So it was only a matter of time before the club finalized the transaction, and as it turns out, the Baltimore Orioles appear confident in their abilities to get Nicolas back on track. The O's sent cash considerations to the Reds to finalize a trade for the hard-throwing right-hander.

The Reds, of course, secured Nicolas this past offseason after swinging a one-for-one deal with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Cincinnati shipped utility infielder Tyler Callihan to the Steel City in exchange for Nicolas, but it would seem that this trade is yet another one that Nick Krall would like to take back.

Nicolas was pitching for Team Italy in the World Baseball Classic at the time of the trade, and was a late-arrival to Reds' spring training. He spent some extra time at the Reds' training facility in Arizona before joining the club's minor-league affiliate in Louisville to begin the season. The Reds called him up to the big league roster on April 10, but he was optioned back to Triple-A two weeks later.

Reds bullpen makeover continues after trading Kyle Nicolas to Orioles

Nicolas made just seven Major League appearances this season, and walks were an enormous problem. Over 7⅓ innings of work, Nicolas posted an unattractive 8.59 ERA with an alarming 31% walk rate. He nearly recorded twice as many walks (13) as strikeouts (7) during his seven outings this season, but his time in the minor leagues didn't yield much better results.

Nicolas made 14 relief appearances for the Louisville Bats this season, and across 15⅔ innings pitched, he put up a 5.71 ERA, 5.07 FIP with a 24.4% strikeout rate and 20.7% walk rate. Is it any wonder why the Reds decided to part ways with such an unreliable reliever?

The Reds bullpen has been in shambles for the better part of a month, so trading away an undependable arm like Nicolas isn't going to disrupt the flow of Terry Francona's relief corps. It does, however, raise even more questions about Krall's flawed pursuits this offseason, and the fanbase is beginning to question his future with the organization.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow