The Cincinnati Reds have announced that they have released right-handed reliever Noé Ramirez. Over the winter Ramirez was acquired from the Los Angeles Angels along with minor leaguer Leonardo Rivas in a trade that sent Raisel Iglesias to the west coast. At the time the deal was viewed as a salary dump by most in the industry, but Ramirez wasn’t entirely someone to write off. He had posted a 3.99 ERA in 2019 and a 3.00 ERA in 2020, though his strikeout rate took a huge hit in 2020.
This spring things weren’t quite going well for Noé Ramirez. His velocity appeared to be down a little bit, and he was already considered to be a low velocity pitcher. On top of that his results weren’t good. He made six appearances and allowed six earned runs, was charged with another five unearned runs, hit two batters, walked four batters, allowed three home runs, and he struck out just four of the 32 batters that he faced.
The Reds certainly wound up saving money in the trade, but they didn’t exactly get much back for trading away their closer, either. This does take one option away from the bullpen that will still need to be trimmed down before Opening Day. How much trimming needs to be done could come down to whether or not Tejay Antone and Michael Lorenzen are healthy enough to begin the season on the 26-man roster or not. Their health, and whether Lorenzen is ready to start or not when it would be his turn in the rotation could come into play.
Amir Garrett, Lucas Sims, and Sean Doolittle are seemingly locks in the bullpen. After that things are still up in the air with Antone’s health, leaving Cam Bedrosian, José De León (potential starting option as well depending on health of others), Carson Fulmer, Heath Hembree, Josh Osich, Cionel Péerez, Sal Romano, and Braden Shipley pitching for however many spots will be available. Jeff Hoffman appears to be lined up as a starting pitcher for the time being, but could wind up in the bullpen down the line when Sonny Gray returns.
I have an inkling that Hoffman might just stick and be a pleasant surprise. There is nothing that Cam Bedrosian has done wrong up to this point. I was certain DeLeon would solidify a case for staying up… but I don’t think he has. Need to see more of Fulmer.
now this is surprising. I think it says that Derek Johnson doesn’t care much for the “junk” type pitcher that has a bunch of quirky pitches but not one outstanding one. I thought there was a role for one pitcher like that in a major league bullpen but DJ knows a lot more than I do. I have to think this means Fulmer makes it.
…I think they just want to know what they may perhaps count on. Ramirez was a bit…”wild.” As I look who other teams are cutting, I’m sure the Reds are too. I can’t help but wonder whether there is value in some of these castoffs. Even positionally…are our bench guys better than what other teams are shedding? I have no idea…
I’m usually over positive at this point but the pitching is looking like a train wreck.
Looks likes some good chances for extended auditions for Fullmer, etc.
Funny I just read last week that he was a lock and I thought why? Hasnt impressed at all.
Good thing Krall saved all that money.
Which was the worst trade: Aroldis Chapman or Raisel Iglesias?
Well, let’s see, Chapman for Rookie Davis or Iglesias for money in Bob’s pocket. I guess the the Iglesias trade. I mean, had they turned around and actually spent that money on a SS, it might’ve tipped the scales.
Both we essentially got nothing for both of them and they were good pitchers both of them. Oh and don’t forget we sent money to the Angels too. Shakes head. I just don’t get it.
Chapman was way worse. Chapman’s value (outside of any “PR” nonsense) was very high. Look at what the Yankees got from trading Chapman midseason, Gleyber Torres. He was plenty valuable but the Reds made a panic trade instead of waiting it out and actually getting something of value. Iglesias’ trade value has gone down over the past several years with average performances and less control. Both trades stink. But one was more clearly a salary dump and one was a completely botched.
Both are pretty disgraceful for the organization. I guess we at least got a bigger pile of useless crud back in the Chapman deal, since he was worth more, than we did in the Iglesias deal. They’re both pretty embarassing for Reds fans if you ask me.
Chapman to the New York Yankees for Eric Jagielo, Caleb Cotham, Rookie Davis and Tony Renda.
Iglesias to the Los Angeles Angels for Leonardo Rivas and Noe Ramirez.
L.A. in trades does it again to the Reds. But this time it’s the other L.A. team. Too much time passed before Rasiel was traded.
I know he was told he had to save money but this bad move is on Krall. Getting nothing in return was more like a panic move. He had plenty of time to find a better deal.
You seem to forget what he was being paid. There wasn’t a lot of value there
It was still an impatient panic move. As others have pointed out if he had to do it right away in order to free up money for a SS that would be different. That’s kind of what we were told but…….
I’d say it’s encouraging. In the past GM’s would keep an inferior player to cover their mistake. Admitting it was a mistake and moving on rather than trotting him out there to get hammered every couple of days. I like a lot of the other options. Plus now a spot open on th 40 man.
Well said and I agree.Saving face just for the sake of saving face is well dumb.Glad they made the move.
We don’t need a 5th starter until the 25th. The Reds only have 3 Pitchers who have had at least a 4 inning outing (Hoffman, Miley, De Leon) this spring. I don’t see how it’s possible to ask Castillo, Mahle, Lorenzen to go 6 innings, or even 5 at this point. Obviously I don’t know what they’ve done in B games, but these arms are not ready to go deep into games. That being said, they could have 4 starters till the 25th.
1: Castillo (4) De Leon (4)
2: Mahle (3) Hoffman (4)
3: Miley (4) Antone (2)
4: Lorenzen (3) Bullpen Game
Gray should be back soon allowing for a 5 man rotation, and the rest of the arms should be able to expand beyond the 3 – 4 inning, and into a 5 – 6 inning for the starters, and down to 2 innings for the long relievers.
Your plan makes a lot of sense. Especially considering the unpredictability of weather postponements in early April… It’ll be like another half month of Spring Training…but with the Reds best offensive team most nights. One thing for sure, that group of pitchers doesn’t look overly menacing without the name of Gray in there.
Hate that for him and his family
I think that might of saved some money but i think he had some serious potential.
What potential? He’s an effective junkballer, obviously not the typical type of pitcher the Reds seem to favor these days – guys with questionable numbers but high spin rates. The Reds obviously felt they have better options in camp with more potential and I’d tend to agree with them.
Aquino in CF today with what look to be the starters behind Castillo.
Well if Senzel follows his usual pattern of injuries we just might need him there. I’m personally okay with Aquino playing CF. He’s got good speed and good arm while tracking the ball well. He just needs to play regularly and quit being messed with by you know who.
Yes, Senzel is injured. Again. But supposedly will be ready for opening day.
I rest my case then. I feel sorry for the guy but……
@mel I agree. If I had my druthers I’d have a healthy Shogo and Senzel, but I’d love to see Aquino get regular playing time. I don’t think he’ll ever grow as a bat off the bench.
If we ever get Aquino to get to 60% of his potential we won’t be thinking about anyone replacing him. In terms of HR alone that would be about 50 in an entire season.
So Aquino has 86 home run potential?
Based on 14 in August for six months yes.
Never cared for this trade or the “return”. I know it was a salary dump but you’d think Iglesias was worth something. Wish we still had him since the Reds never reallocated the money they saved from dumping him.