The Cincinnati Reds bullpen has gotten a boost as they have traded for Sam Moll from the Oakland Athletics. Prior to the first pitch vs the Chicago Cubs, the Reds announced their first trade of the trade season with the A’s. In return to Oakland, the Reds will send minor league pitcher Joe Boyle. Over the last week, rumors of the Reds upgrading their pitching had swirled. Although most of them have been for starters, the bullpen can use an upgrade.
The 2023 Reds have spent most of the year with just a single lefty. Alex Young has manned the role as a left-hander and now gets a true lefty specialist to join him. So who is the Reds’ new reliever, and what does the bullpen look like with him?
Reds Bullpen Adds Lefty Specialist At Deadline
Sam Moll comes over from the Oakland Athletics in a good position for the Reds bullpen. Moll, a 2013 third-round draft pick, has his entire major league career with the A’s. At 31 years old, Moll’s biggest asset is his team control. Under team control through 2028, Moll will be able to give the Reds innings for years to come.
Sam Moll, 3391 RPM Slider. ? pic.twitter.com/HA1M9LyEbk
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) June 26, 2022
During this year, one look at Moll’s numbers shows he is a true lefty specialist. His splits between Lefty and Righty and what you would think when you see that label on a player. But first, let’s look at his total numbers. in 45 games pitched, he has a 4.54 ERA with a 3.25 FIP. His ground ball rate sits at 52%. His strikeout rate is 27%, with a 11% walk rate. Here’s a deeper dive into what he will be primarily used for, pitching vs lefties.
According to Baseball Savant, Moll really doesn’t allow hard contact often. That should play well at GABP and help in a pitcher-friendly park. pic.twitter.com/zqKrEVj7bW
— Charlie Goldsmith (@CharlieG__) July 31, 2023
The Reds bullpen has been longing for a solid left vs left guy. If Sam Moll can replicate how he pitched in the bay area in Cincinnati, he will be just fine. In 71 matchups vs a left-handed hitter, Moll has produced a 2.65 ERA. His 1.98 FIP and 2.08 xFIP indicate even better success. Where Moll shines is his strikeout rate vs lefties. 35.2% strikeout rate while just walking 5.6%. Compare that to his 27% strikeout rate and 11.2% vs the right-handed hitters.
Who Gets Slotted Out Of the ‘Pen With The Arrival of Moll?
The Reds will now have to eliminate a player on the current roster to make room for Sam Moll. The move will more than likely take place inside the Reds bullpen. Daniel Duarte is the best bet to get the short end of the stick. Duarte has been up and down with the Reds this season and hasn’t made much of his opportunities. With a 16.9% strikeout rate, his 15.4% walk rate has hurt. The expected numbers are non-efficient as well. 5.59 xFIP and a 2.44 BABIP. The Reds’ best solution will be to move off of Duarte to make room for the newly acquired Moll.
The Reds’ bullpen got a boost on Monday. The move made the Reds stay in the hunt inside the division. Sam Moll may not have been the big-time splash move people expected, but he is a splash move. For a team like the Reds, they found a piece they needed to improve on. We will now see if this is their only move or if this is just the first domino to fall.
Photo Credit: © Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
