The Reds bullpen crumbled down the stretch in 2019, but confidence remains high in their core group of high-impact relievers, per Bobby Nightengale of the Cincinnati Enquirer.
They formed the league’s best unit over the first half of the season, but the pressure never let up as the Reds finished with more one-run margins than any other team in the game. 57 one-run games plus another 31 games with a two-run margin made the difference in an up-and-down season for Cincinnati. Interestingly, President of Baseball Ops pretty clearly assigned blame in these games to the offense, defending the bullpen in saying, “When they did let things get away, I think they were, at times, unfairly scrutinized because I really think when the offense had chances to provide separating runs, get big leads, jump out, we just didn’t get quite enough of that, taking pressure off the pitching at times.”
The bullpen finished middle-of-the-pack by ERA, FIP, and fWAR, though admittedly closer to the top than the bottom. Despite all the close games, the unit still finished 25th in innings pitched, a good indicator for the starting rotation. All things considered, the Reds enter the offseason feeling pretty good about Raisel Iglesias, Michael Lorenzen, Amir Garrett, and Robert Stephenson making up the core of their relief unit.
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All signs point to another eventful winter for the Reds, but it’s the offense where Williams is focusing his attention. Despite some breakout power in the forms of Eugenio Suarez and Aristides Aquino, the Reds finished 25th in the majors in runs scored. Their offense as a whole finished with just an 87 wRC+, also ranking 25th in the MLB. They have a ways to go to join the league’s elite in this regard: 11 teams finished with 100+ weighted runs created plus, 8 of whom made the postseason. The Cardinals 95 wRC+ was the lowest of any team in the postseason.
Reds are in a good spot here as bats will be much cheaper than arms on the free agent and trade markets. They should be able to find one or more impact bats they can fit into their budget. If only they weren’t stuck with Vott’s contract they could be considered contenders.
Votto’s contract looked bad before the ink dried. A small market team should NEVER commit so much capital to one player. It’s a recipe for future problems. Mauer, Votto, Stanton…,I could go on and on
While the 4 years at 25 million per that Votto has left is obviously too much, particularly if this past season is indicative of how he is going to be going forward, overall that contract still looks like a win for the Reds. And if he can go back to what he was as recently as 2018, then what has left isn’t that bad.
Curious to see what Reds do- go for one big bat or try to improve at multiple positions. I’m assuming the latter (the Votto contract shows the problem with going after a Rendon- even if the contract ends being ok overall you are going to have some years at the end where it’s an albatross) but I also would think that if there is a Josh Donaldson (meaning very high ceiling bat who is willing to take a 1 year, high salary contract) they would be on top of that.
Regardless of the overall return it’s still painful at the end…..
They should give up something for Mancini so they can insert him into the middle of the lineup. Always thought there was a decent fit, even if he’s not great in the OF.
Adam Eaton. Springfield native, Miami U.. good OBP, clutch, good speed, good D. I know Ervin essentially has the same skill set from the right side but you can’t have too much of that.
Everyone also hates Eaton. He’s an asshat in the clubhouse. It’s why he’s already been traded from two teams even with all the good things you listed.
Seems like most of that reputation came when he was with the Sox in 2016 and basically everyone in that clubhouse got a bad reputation due to the toxic environment created by management.
He was traded once before he had shown much of anything in the bigs, and the second trade was ridiculously one sided and basically any team would have traded Eaton for that return
Hearing Yasmani Grandal atop their list. Expect they’d look at Didi Gregorius too though that only magnifies their issue v. LHP.
The player I see landing in Cincinnati is Nick Castellanos. Don’t expect he’ll have as robust of market as many anticipate. Fits what the Reds need.
I’d like to see Castellanos in a Reds Uniform…
Before Winkers season ended they had a pretty good platoon situation going with Ervin, so I think that may stay the same. I’d like to see them bring the Wild Horse back. That guy was 110% GO on every play, great hustle, but I doubt they will. I can see them going after a CF and moving Senzel back to 2nd, and picking up the option on Galvis and moving him to SS. There’s a real chance there won’t be anyone named Iglesias on this team next year.
Sign Yasmani Grandal to replace Tucker barnhart at catcher. Either trade for Starlin Marte from Pittsburgh or shoot for the moon and try to get Andrew benetindi from Boston. Move Nick Senzel to 2nd base and either pick up Freddy Galvis option or resign Jose Iglesias. And move Joey Bottom down in the lineup to bat 6th or 7th.
Boston is probably more likely to part with JBJ.
That’s exactly what this team DOESN’T need, another .225 hitting CF’er… Marte would be sweet, but it’ll cost them big…
Left out move Joey votto down in the lineup
In spite of what this article says, in many of the Reds games I watched, Raisel Iglesias was the sole purpose the Reds lost.
Last year at this time, the Reds were near hopeless. Teams in this extreme flux rarely find which batting order and which position works best as a group. However, its true that this team didn’t hit… This team never quit either. Its not all on Joey Votto. No one was on base in front of him either. If Votto hit 30 HR, he still would’ve only driven in 85 ish RBI.
I would have to agree.. Iglesias, David Hernandez, and to a lesser extent Hughes blew or flat out lost about 20 games between them if my mental tally is right. I mean I watched every single game minus a few.
You’re spot on Doc…
Agreed…
When you are a 75 win team and you had 57 games that were decided by one run that is a big indication your bullpen did not perform.
But they did…this team didn’t hit well all year…
I know the Reds had interest at one time in Inciarte could an Inciarte for Iglesias deal work ?
Gives the Reds the CF they could use and gives the Braves a bullpen arm that can slide into closer and let Melancon go into the 8th inning role.
It’s not a bad scenario, but the Braves might want a minor league arm too. Inciarte is cost controlled while Iglesias is not, I don’t think. Plus, it leaves a hole in the Braves outfield to start the season.
Cincinnati needs a CF and Boston needs a 2B. How about a Senzel for Benintendi swap?
At one time, Inciarte was a useful piece. Last year he was not. I don’t think he would get Iglesias from the Reds.
Trade senzel for Bettis , senzel is never going to okay more then 80 games he hurt
Damn, you must really value Chad Bettis highly.
I actually will have to say it is the bullpen.
Bats they likely have interest in :
Grandal
Donaldson
Castellanos
Dickerson
Gregorious
Puig
Need a CF. Might have interest in Inciarate, but don’t see trade fit. Need bullpen arms still. They will add two bats at least and two bullpen arms. Maybe another starter on a prove it deal (Wood)…
They need a RH LF with some pop. They should trade with the Os for Mancini. It wouldn’t cost them that much.
As a Reds fan that watched about 150 of the games this year thus pisses me off…yes we need offense but out bull pen sucks also we need 3 or 4 relievers
Exactly
It really shows how clueless the front office is
The author literally cited how it wasn’t their bullpen with factual numbers and referenced how horrible their offense performed. No, slick, their front office is not clueless.
Then maybe you should try opening your eyes kiddo
I agree astick…and the biggest problem in that bullpen was Iglesias, Hernandez and Hughes.
Exactly, CincyShawn. If Rasiel had been the lock down guy, we would’ve been in the hunt until the end. The offense was horrid the first half, but we still had a shot when it came around. The Iglesias losses and blown saves piled up. At least we have a solid foundation to build on now. Looking forward to our hot stove moves and the 2020 season!
Sign Yasmani Grandal and Didi and they will compete. They don’t need pitching. They need offense. They relied way too heavily on Joey Votto and let the rest of their offensive line up decline in quality and it’s now time to re-load. Seems like everybody is in agreement the Reds are gonna spend BIG this season, go for it. They kind of tried it last season with the Dodgers trades but it wasn’t enough.
I think we see the Reds at least get into the Wild Card next season…but only if they sign some guys.
Where’s that guys saying there’s too many articles about the Mets and Reds when you need him?
I think the Reds offense is getting a bad rap. The Sports Media, so called experts, Extremely overrated the offensive fire power and put them on an elite pedestal above their true team package. The Reds have a very good offense. Not top notched. But better than most.
Yes Reds need cf, catcher and bullpen help, put Senzel back @ 2nd, pick up Grandal, add new cf that has a bat, move Galvis to SS, bring in some bullpen help…and try to solidify a decent bench, it might work