The Reds announced Friday that they’ve claimed right-handed reliever Matthew Bowman off waivers from the division-rival Cardinals. Additionally, infielder Dilson Herrera and outfielder Mason Williams have cleared waivers and been sent outright to Triple-A Louisville.
Bowman, 27, was a quality middle-relief option for the Cards from 2016-17, working to a 3.70 ERA with 7.0 K/9, 2.7 BB/9 and 0.6 HR/9 in 126 1/3 innings. He stumbled in 2018 however, requiring multiple DL stints for ongoing blister issues and generally performing poorly when on the field. In 23 innings this past season, he posted a 6.26 ERA with a career-best 10.2 K/9 mark but also a career-worst 4.1 BB/9 mark. Bowman does have a minor league option remaining, so he could be a flexible ’pen option for the Reds in 2019.
The 24-year-old Herrera went unclaimed after hitting .184/.268/.414 in 97 plate appearances for the Reds late in the 2018 season. It’s been a couple of years since he was the centerpiece of the trade that sent Jay Bruce from Cincinnati to the Mets, but Herrera’s late cup of coffee was actual his team debut. The former top prospect’s career has been utterly derailed by shoulder troubles, and while he finally surfaced in the Majors with the Reds, he didn’t do enough to secure a roster spot for the 2019 season. Because he’s previously been outrighted by the Reds, he can now elect fre agency, leaving the Cincinnati organization with nothing to show for that Bruce swap; lefty Max Wotell, the only other player in the trade, was cut loose earlier this season.
The 27-year-old Williams is a former top prospect in his own right, though it’s been quite some time since he was perceived in that light. He inked a minor league pact with Cincinnati and made his way to the big league roster, hitting .293/.331/.398 in 132 PAs. Solid as that showing was, he couldn’t stick on the 40-man nor did another team claim him, so he, too, can head to the open market as a minor league free agent by virtue of that fact that he’s also been outrighted previously (by the Yankees in 2017).
Yikes, good luck with that Cincinnati. Bowman was and should still be a quality arm, but he was shoved through the Matheny wood-chipper and his arm is shot. Over used and abused, like so many relievers before him that ruined their careers for good ol’ Mike.
That’s a stretch
It really isn’t though. Matheny did the same thing to Kevin Siegrist. Bowman now has an issue where his arm goes completely numb and he can’t feel his hands, which makes pitching difficult.
You can add Maness to that list, as well.
Matheny was not the problem. Piss poor performance was Bowman’s problem. Along with whoever else Matheny called on from the bullpen.
It was Mathenys problem. He destroyed relievers
Bowman’s first year for the Cardinals was really, really good. He spent his entire first year at the major league level getting out of jams at a very good pace.
Then Matheny decided Bowman was one of his go to guys and he appeared in more and more games. Pretty soon his arm was diminished. As was Siegrist’s. And Maness’s. And Lyons’s. And Mujica. And I’m sure there’s more to add to this list, this is by no means comprehensive.
And I’ll add Boggs
No that’s factual
Facts
Who over used their pitching arms the most, Mike Matheny or Dusty Baker?
Who over used their pitchers the most, Mike Matheny or Dusty Baker?
Since Matheney didn’t have a lot of good choices the pitchers that got outs were run into the ground
I disagree with this assessment. A good manager would have put his pitchers in better spots to get outs, the bullpen could have been much more effective if run intelligently.
Herrera was a decent prospect long ago when he was a Pirate and traded in a deadline deal.
For Marlon Byrd…
Don’t understand the Williams move. Was a great 4th outfielder and produced good offensive numbers with clean defense. Definitely would rather have him on the 25 man then Phillip Ervin
Dilson is going to be a very big mistake. why not a guy like dixon. he was terrified and not a 24 year old top prospect.
Cards fans everywhere rejoice part 2
Reds pick up a guy that’s flashed solid K and ground ball rates…for league minimum. He had blister issues and joins the Johnson the new pitching coach. It’s a complete upside move.
He had more than blister issues.
The problem was Bowman was used in high leverage situations way too often due to the Cardinals bullpen having issues. He was leaned on by Matheny too often.
Mason is the great nephew of Walt “No Neck” Williams.
Did he inherit the ‘neck’? ;) Walt was a scrappy, hustling OF’er.
Wotell retired I believe, not released
I’m also disappointed by this move. Hopefully Dilson gets a shot in 19 with a new team. I guess it shows the Reds must be committed to Gennett moving forward. I will look forward to see what type of deal they sign him to.