As good as the starting rotation has been for the Reds (and it has been very, very good). the relief staff has been just as bad.  Last night’s loss to the Rockies showed what has become apparent in this young season:  the bullpen is a train wreck.  It needs a wholesale change.  Blow it up.  Start over.  Cincinnati’s ‘pen has the highest ERA in the majors.  You can trace more than half of Cincinnati’s losses this year (7 of the 13 losses, in fact) to the bullpen.

Yet there are constraints – salaries, limited options to the minors, etc…  So, looking at what’s in place, what do you change?

• Stanton needs to sit down or be released.  The only benefit he’s possibly providing right now is veteran leadership in the pen.  I can’t imagine those guys are respecting much of what he’s saying given his performance in his past six appearances.
• More time for Victor Santos.  He’s been very good.  His ERA (2.08) doesn’t show a couple times where he’s allowed inheirited runners to score, but he’s got the stuff thus far to be productive.
• A bona fide closer – it would move Weathers (who has been serviceable) to the 7th and / or 8th innings and allow he and Santos to mop up the important middle relief innings.  This is done via trade (who would be available?) or more patience as they wait for Guardado’s elbow to mend and his rehab to finish.  That could be a month or two.
• Coffey gets spot work from now on.  He’s got a 5.52 ERA and has a tough time getting batters out – that third strike has proven elusive, making me wonder what kind of stuff he has right now.
• Hit the rosary beads as we see if Jared Burton and Brad Salmon can provide any life into the relievers.

Permalink | Posted in 2007 Season