The Reds have a void in the backend of their bullpen.
Cincinnati Reds President of Baseball Operations Nick Krall has emphasized throughout the offseason that trade discussions are focused on acquiring major league-ready talent rather than prospects. Reds fans got a clear example of this when the team traded reliever Fernando Cruz and catcher Alex Jackson to the New York Yankees in exchange for Luis Trevino.
This trade brings the Reds a Gold Glove-winning catcher to back up Tyler Stephenson, but it also creates a gap in the bullpen. While Cruz could be inconsistent, his splitter was one of the best pitches in baseball, and he often served as a reliable bridge to closer Alexis Díaz.
The Reds do have several options to replace Cruz in the bullpen. Up-and-coming reliever Zach Maxwell, known for his 100-plus mph fastball, is expected to perform well in the majors. Additionally, Cincinnati has lefty Sam Moll, veteran Emilio Pagán, and former top prospect Tony Santillan to potentially fill the void.
Reds-Yankees trade paves the way for Graham Ashcraft to move to the bullpen in 2025
One Reds pitcher who could greatly benefit from the trade with the Yankees is Graham Ashcraft. The right-hander faced several challenges in 2024, ending the season on the injured list. However, Ashcraft’s cutter-slider combination could be highly effective coming out of the bullpen for Cincinnati.
Of course, no starting pitcher wants to be moved to the bullpen. Starting pitchers typically earn more money, receive more recognition, and pitch only once every five days—who wouldn’t want that role? But Ashcraft, once seen as a long-term solution after his rookie season, has struggled in recent years. Specifically, he has had difficulty the third time through an opposing team’s batting order.
Last season, nearly every statistic for Graham Ashcraft dropped when opponents got a third look at his pitches. His strikeout rate sharply declined, while his batting average-against increased. Ashcraft posted a more manageable 4.11 ERA during the first two times through the batting order, but his performance deteriorated significantly, as his ERA jumped to 9.56 the third time through.
Graham Ashcraft could be lethal coming out of the Reds bullpen
If all of the Reds’ starting pitchers are healthy heading into spring training, Graham Ashcraft may find himself on the outside looking in for the 2025 Opening Day rotation. Hunter Greene, Nick Lodolo, Nick Martinez, Andrew Abbott, and Brady Singer currently appear to have the upper hand, with Rhett Lowder likely next in line.
The absence of Brandon Williamson and Julian Aguiar will impact the Reds’ depth, but pitchers like Carson Spiers, Lyon Richardson, and Connor Phillips remain on the roster. Additionally, Chase Petty and Chase Burns are expected to be pushing for major league spots next season. This raises the question: where does Ashcraft fit in the starting pitcher hierarchy?
Some may suggest that this situation opens the door for the Reds to trade Ashcraft for an outfielder, but that would be a mistake. Pitching depth is invaluable, and Ashcraft has proven he can be a solid starter in the majors. While his skill set might be better suited for a relief role, Ashcraft could also thrive as a hybrid pitcher, similar to how Martinez was used last season.
A bullpen featuring Ashcraft, Sam Moll, and Alexis Díaz could give opposing teams serious trouble. Although Ashcraft has been working on developing a third pitch, sticking with his cutter-slider combination could allow him to evolve into an elite relief pitcher.
