FEB 8: Doolittle has officially signed with the Reds, per MLB.com’s Mark Sheldon (via Twitter).
FEB 2: The Reds are moving toward an agreement with free-agent reliever Sean Doolittle, according to C. Trent Rosecrans and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic (Twitter link). The two sides are in agreement on a one-year deal for the 2021 season, reports MLB.com’s Jon Morosi (via Twitter). Doolittle’s deal is worth $1.5MM in guaranteed money, according to Jon Morosi, plus performance bonuses.
Doolittle, 34, has spent the past three and a half seasons with the Nationals, leading the team with 75 saves over that stretch. Along the way, he’s pitched to a 3.03 ERA and 3.40 SIERA with very strong strikeout and walk rates: 28.2 percent and 5.7 percent, respectively.
The 2020 season didn’t go well for Doolittle, as he was hampered by both a knee injury and an oblique strain. That pair of injuries combined to limit Doolittle to just 7 2/3 innings, during which time he yielded five earned runs on nine hits and four walks (two intentional) with six punchouts. His average fastball velocity dropped from 93.5 mph in 2019 to 90.7 mph in 2020.
While it was an ugly year for the lefty, Doolittle is still a two-time All-Star with a lengthy track record of success. A converted first baseman, Doolittle made debuted on the mound with the A’s in 2012 and went on to log 398 innings with a composite 3.02 ERA and 2.71 SIERA through the end of the 2019 season.
Doolittle played an integral role in the Nationals’ World Series run that year, standing out as one of the few members of the bullpen that manager Dave Martinez trusted in high-leverage spots. Doolittle pitched 10 1/3 innings in the 2019 playoffs, allowing just two runs on six hits and a walk with eight strikeouts. He held the Astros scoreless in three innings of work during the World Series.
If a deal ultimately comes together, Doolittle would provide the Reds with some badly needed left-handed help in the bullpen. It’s possible that he could be in the mix for saves in Cincinnati, given his track record, but he’ll more importantly give manager David Bell a second southpaw alongside Amir Garrett (another closer candidate). Doolittle and Garrett would be the only two left-handed locks for the bullpen, though recently acquired Cionel Perez could be a third option if they opt to use him out of the ‘pen rather than as a starter. The Reds will also have Josh Osich and Jesse Biddle in camp this spring, but they’re on minor league deals and would need to earn a spot on the 40-man roster.
More broadly, a deal with Doolittle would be the first Major League addition to the Reds’ roster all winter. The club technically added right-hander Noe Ramirez as well, but they only did so in the trade that more or less dumped former closer Raisel Iglesias‘ $9.125MM salary on the Angels. The Reds have also non-tendered Archie Bradley and Curt Casali in somewhat surprising fashion.
General manager Nick Krall has spoken of reallocating the savings from that series of subtractions, although the prevailing wisdom until recently had been that the Reds would try to do so at the shortstop position. Top free agents Ha-Seong Kim, Marcus Semien, Andrelton Simmons and Didi Gregorius all signed elsewhere, however, leaving the free-agent market without a clear, starting-caliber option at the position. The Reds could still look to the trade market for an option at short, but it seems that with the top names at that position off the market, they’ll at least spend a bit cash to address other areas of need.
darn. wanted him in Philly.
Same. Thought he was a great fall back from Hand.
Doolittle wouldn’t go to a division rival and a team that will be bad
he’s a free agent. former division rival. and why does that matter anyway? and better yet, why does an unloading CIN team profile to be better then Philly? just because the division is better? seems like a challenge a guy like Doolittle would like.
As a Nats fan, I’d love to see the Phils assemble another historically bad bullpen and hoped Doo would sign with the Mets or Phils but given how he gave up Twitter, what would he have to endure in Philly? There might be fans in the stands this year, you know.
Your not a Nats fan lol.
Ok forget about the rivals part. Doolittle wants good fans, and Philly fans aren’t that tbh. They would boo him after giving up 1 run. Nats fan were behind his back throughout his struggles.
No, Luc2. I am THE Nats fan.
Is that why he left Twitter? Some very vocal fans were not behind him.
Nats fans aren’t good fans because the crowds look the same pre and post pandemic.
Both our comments are equal ridiculous.
Well reasoned.
@Luc 2. You’re a fool. Who do you think you are to tell someone whether they are a fan of this or that team? You don’t define anything. Your staunch fan dogma smells like something that came from the rear of a horse, scavenged by vultures where it was dropped and squeezed out again.
Who are u again?
After that come back? Your father.
When you in the paper pushing left-wing politics while getting busted up every night, people start to take notice. Do your job.
Ok Daddy. Gimme the sausage
Just about what I expected.
baseball-reference.com/leagues/MLB/2019-misc.shtml
Fool 16th in attendance per game not bragging about that but its silly to say nats dont have passionate fans
Likely Phils are better than the Nats so your criteria would rule out only the Fishies.
I’d put money on the Nats having a better season than the Phil’s and I’m a fan of neither
I don’t know about that. The Phillies are a few pieces short of contending for the division but they have a solid core of position players and the rotation looks decent if (and that’s a massive if) they can stay healthy. They picked up a couple veterans for the bullpen and hopefully Howard can stay healthy in the rotation. They have some very good prospects that should be graduating to the upper minors this year. D.D. Has always seen prospects as nothing more than trade chips so if the Phillies are in the playoff scene at the deadline he will sell the farm for what he needs. He definitely has the chips to acquire anyone that is going to be available. They have a proven manager to get them there. Philly is a dark horse to watch this year. The Nats have a suspect BP even after adding Hand and their rotation is old with a ton of innings on their arms. They have the worst farm in baseball without a single prospect in the top 150. They won’t be doing much at the deadline. The team they have now is what they will have for the year and I don’t see that rotation going the distance. Scherzer and Lester have been workhorses their entire careers. A full season with playoffs after such a short one is a lot to ask of them. So, yeah I think this year the Phillies will finish ahead of the Nationals. I doubt they overtake Atlanta but a WC isn’t out of the question.
Washington’s bullpen is not suspect. Any club would gladly take Rainey, Harris, Hudson, and Hand for its’ back end. With Finnegan, Suero and Romero etc they will be fine. As for the starters, Washington’s rotation > Philly’s and it’s not even close.
You say that they won’t be doing anything at the deadline. Interersting. And you know this how ?
Philly has to cross its fingers that everything goes right and very little goes wrong to make the playoffs. Not happenin.
Imagine thinking players care about fan rivalries the way fans do. All players are mercenaries now.
Doolittle is very much an aberration as a baseball player. I bet he would take less money from a liberal owner than from someone like Ol’ Man Rickets.
Steve Nebraska, all players aren’t mercenaries now.. I wouldn’t even come close to that. Maybe a subtle majority are since the MLBPA agrees in that direction but there are players from this free agency who could shift your opinion. Drama and bold untrue statements are what divided us politically for the love of god try not to bring it to a baseball blog.
Not all, but the percentage is very high. MLBPA pushes EVERY one of them to take the highest offer. Are you kidding?
I miss the old rules of free agency. The class A and B system with restricted and unrestricted players. That system gave the original team way more leverage in resigning their stars. Of course the players hated it and it had to go. Current system sucks with teams drafting players and paying them millions just to sign. Then teaching them and guiding them to the majors. Only to have them jump ship right when they hit their prime. With the old system players like Gardner staying with a team through their prime was the norm not the outlier.
He’d go to ANY team that would pay him
Agree Doolittle would have been a good fit in Philly. We need 2 more arms for the pen- maybe a vet like Tyler Clippard who has pitched in every bullpen role there is, and a lefty like Jake McGee. Havent heard a thing about Cole Hamels’ market this offseason, but I believe they should be kicking the tires on him at the very least. Mike Moore is an ok gamble, but the only other left handed starting option we have on the roster is Ranger Suraez now, with Cole Irvin gone. We need 1 more experienced starter so that Spencer Howard can start the year at AAA. Hamels still has a home in the area and was our ’08 WS MVP. Makes too much sense, would love to see him retire a Phillie.
Agree about Hamels. Seems like a no brainer. Bring him back on a cheap 1 year deal to split up the righties in the rotation.
Nice move. If Doolittle has a good first half he can probably be flipped at the trade deadline for a prospect.
It appears that the Reds could do little and still have an okay bullpen.
On the other hand, Doolittle could bomb.
Are you trying to shoot him down?
Dunsel..I think you missed the joke.
James Doolittle led the first aerial bombing mission over Tokyo in 1942. He and his team had to land in China and evade Japanese troops there; some of them were captured and killed. The raid was a great morale booster for American troops after the Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbor.
ROFLMAO! =)))))))
Okay. You’ve earned my respect!
Doolittle, Antone, and Garrett could still make for a nice 1,2,3 punch in that pen even after their losses.
Lucas Sims is sneaky good too. I think he’s the best arm
Love Sims, but Garrett is the best arm out there…and isn’t afraid to charge an entire opposing dugout alone…lol
Someone on the Pirates told me that Garrett has a lot more punch than the other two.
He may end up in the ‘pen but he’s been a starter his whole career. And I think that’s what many Reds fans would like him to have a chance.
Our problem is he, Mahle and Lorenzen all seem better as starters than relievers.. And all three are going to make us want our top P prospects to hurry lol
And Lorenzen
Doolitle thx for your service in D.C. You did help with are WS run. For people who didn’t say that he did. Hopefully Brad Hand will use the bullpen cart. Have fun in Cincy Obi Sean Kenobi.
Tis better to Doolittle then to do nothing!
His fastball do little to nothing.
Has it gotten that stale?
It’;s dropped a few miles and he looks like a bad Kenley. He’s a great guy though, particularly for ball players.
I sure hope he bounces back. he was used, abused and had the truck backed up over him in 2019.
Was hoping he’d sign within the division or go to the Pads. He’s done and I’d love to see Soto rock him to sink the Mets or Phils in the ninth. He can help the Reds in their race with the Bucs for last place so a good signing because he isn’t gonna be effective.
Bruh, thats harsh. Why you hate him. If your a Nats fan leave the fan base we dont need you. Everyone loved him besides you apparently.
Dude, you’re right. I’m woke now so contrition and apologies to Doo. Still, there was a lot less love for Sean last year in my opinion. Thanks for calling out my bad be.
Even awful Doolittle was better than 90% of the Phils 2020 bullpen. I’d love to have him. His better days are behind him, but I expect a much better season this year.
If your a Nats fan, you have to be grateful for carrying the team on his back the 1st half on 2019.
fax
Sorry to see him leave DC. But expected after they signed Hand. He’ll get a chance to bounce back and maybe get flipped at the deadline.
Stick a fork in him bc he’s done. It’ll be interesting to see if this is finally a low cost signing or if he gets overpaid like a surprisingly large number of other free agents. Really surprising that money flowed so freely in FA signings to date.
Maybe the owners put one over on you?
Where do these takes come from? You’re so sure of what happened in a shortened, injury filled season where he pitched less than 1/10 of his usual innings?
I thought the Trashtros would take him.
Like it. Solid bounceback candidate.
Doolittle the communist is a Red. Appropriate. (Expect for his taking a capitalist salary)
might want to refer to that commenting policy…
You don’t know what words mean.
A news anchor once said of our wonderful ex-President what we should say about you. “What does he mean by words?”
You understand wearing red doesn’t make you a communist, right? Just checking.
Very curious to see what he’s gonna get. Of all the left handed relievers currently available, he’s the only one I can see getting a 2 year deal. And frankly I think that’s about a year and a half too much
He was talking to the Tigers, Blue Jays, Orioles, Cardinals, Rays, Diamondbacks, Cubs, and Marlins.
Good for Sean and a bummer for this Nats fan. Thanks, Sean, for all you did with the Nats, especially in 2019, and good luck with the Reds.
Wonder if it’s just me but I always get Dolittle and Archie Bradley mixed up. Wonder if they got separated at birth. Anyhow, nice pick up for the Reds.
It’s the delayed adulthood ironic beards.
Doolittle now with a team that has done little. Good match.
True story. In 2008, Doolittle hit 21 dingers, almost drove in 100, stole 8 bases, and hit .286, with a high ops. In A-AA…
He was a good prospect as a hitter as well.
If he thinks he can still close games, Cincy would be the better choice than Philly because he immediately becomes the most experienced arm in that role with the chance to earn saves and better himself for the 2022 market. At the same time, both being lefties, he and Garrett probably would be better served being available earlier in games. I see a committee in Cincinnati to begin the season, with Sims in the mix as well as Lorenzen, if he can’t cut it as a starter.
I hope the reds signjonathan villar. I would still ut them under the cubs and cards but by maybe a half-step but they they could actually be a contender for the central title
I hope the reds sign jonathan villar. I would still ut them under the cubs and cards but by maybe a half-step but they they could actually be a contender for the central title.
I wish a 16.20 era for him!
A lot of one-year deals this offseason, especially with some of the younger guys (i.e. Pederson, Rosario). Is it because of the financial impact from the pandemic?
Can he play shortstop? I have no idea why the Reds don’t get Senzel back in their infield where they drafted him for. They have ruined him by putting him in the outfield, position he never played, he’s not sure when to jump when or how to dive And how to gauge the warning track to avoid collisions. That’s why he is injured. They just keep getting retreads and wondering why they struggle offensively and certainly defensively. Stats say they were top-five defensively, that’s such a gray area since every ball hit to them they seem to catch but have zero range and make no outstanding plays. I am a huge fan but they are very hard To figure and certainly have no direction and a overly expensive boat anchor at first base
Hey there. Yes if they could train Senzel for SS that would be ideal situation and solve many problems. Clearly they don’t think he can. I think it remains to be seen how well he performs in the OF and stay healthy. Reds have too many OF. Unless the DH kicks in they need to make a trade or two. As far as Votto goes I am happy they signed him. Reds mistake was giving him a no trade. Last few years of a contract that long players slow down. Deep pocket big markets teams can absorb that money for the last couple of years and pay for someone else. Reds are small market and can not. Again we hope for the DH, stick Votto there and hope that will help him focus on just hitting and he can have a bounce back. Here’s hoping for a bounce back from all our players now that 2020 is in the rear view. Stay well and safe.
Do the Reds expect a big contribution from this guy?
Seems like this signing will DOOLITTLE !!
Hopefully Reds can get something at the trade deadline for him.
Best of luck to Dooliitle, his services during the WS run were solid. But last year he lost velo on his fastball and got absolutely CRUSHED — was painful to watch. Martinez went so far last year to say that Doolittle MUST pitch at 93+ to be effective. Can he get the velo back? We’ll see what happens.
This now sets up the potential trade between Indians Reds.
Reds get :
Ahmed Rosario SS
Bradley Zimmer OF
Nick Wittgren P
Indians get:
Nick Senzel OF
Amir Garrett P
That is a terrible trade for the Reds. Garrett alone can probably get that package back without essentially giving away Senzel
I agree not giving up either for that package. Still though, Rosario has a lot of value and will surely require a haul to obtain. No reason to trade him if not. India may be a fit for them at 2nd/3rd down road
Amed Rosario for Aquino straight up. Helps both sides with their individual team needs. Both players are young and under team control for years.
Doolittle probably immediately leads the team in Star Wars fandom
Surprised he couldn’t getter larger sum.
Lol. He signed w reds and they r broke
A very team friendly deal. Good job by Cincinnati
If he had his mind on pitching and not ultra liberal politics, he might have been worth something.
people like him out to destroy the USA, why doesn’t he put money where his mouthis and work for $15/hr?
A true “patriot” should be ransacking the US Capitol, right?
Oh goody, the comments section is now dabbling in political commentary. Anyone else have any similarly inane straw man arguments they wanna share?
Oh c’mon man. Liberal hypocrisy is always good for a laugh.
Yea because burning down houses, businesses, and looting every store in your city was already taken.
While it bothers me when “celebrities” feel we give a rat’s arse about their politics, at the end of the day he is a possibly-effective, $1.5 mill. reliever. This is a good signing. If he doesn’t work out, that is a manageable cost.
low risk, nice signing
better days probably behind him, but a $3 mil loss is less painful to free up a roster spot if it doesn’t work out.
Wow seems like a bargain contract for a guy as accomplished as Doolittle. Granted ge struggled badly in 11 games last year ans wasn’t quite himself in 2018 he’s still a very experienced and generally productive reliever so for just $1.5M it seems like a risk well worth taking. Wouldve even likes to see the red Sox give him a shot at that price but according to recent rumors they may be looking to bring in that Japanese reliever who might also wind up being a really solid pickup. Regardless seems like a good deal and wish Doolittle the best in having a solid rebound campaign.
It could work out, but if you are going to spend $1.5 on Doolittle, why not throw in another 3-3.5M and just have kept Archie?
Good sign here, late inning guy for 1.5m, and could be flipped this summer if he has a healthy year. Well done!