Around the Horn: Bullpen

CINCINNATI -- The wincing, the hand-wringing and the shifting in their seats were nervous reactions shared by both Reds fans and the team's front office leadership during the seventh and eighth innings last season.

Maybe, finally, that uneasy feeling has passed.

During his two years on the job, Reds general manager Wayne Krivsky has spent more time re-tooling the bullpen than any other area. But many of the moves were smaller and incremental, like the additions of Eddie Guardado, Esteban Yan, Rheal Cormier, Scott Schoeneweis, Joe Mays and Ryan Franklin. Most of them backfired. Others, like Gary Majewski, Bill Bray and Mike Stanton, have yet to yield desirable results.

In late November, Krivsky and owner/CEO Bob Castellini did something much more dynamic.

In a stunner, the Reds outbid everybody for the best closer on the market and landed free agent Francisco Cordero with a four-year, $46 million contract and a fifth-year club option worth $12 million. The two-time All-Star converted 44 of 51 save chances for division-rival Milwaukee last season while posting a 2.98 ERA. A 32-year-old right-hander, he has 177 career saves.

"It was certainly an area that needed to be addressed," Krivsky said. "It's been a big area that needed attention."

Was it ever.

The Cincinnati bullpen was often inexperienced and overmatched last season. Leads were disintegrating. Close deficits were being blown wide open.

Reds relievers posted a 23-31 record in 2007 with a National League-high 5.13 ERA while converting 34 of 61 saves -- with 33 of them coming from David Weathers. Opponents scored 123 eighth-innings runs, which was more than in any other inning. The bullpen's shortcomings played a key role in the Reds' first-half demise that cost manager Jerry Narron his job.

Some criticized the Reds for overpaying to get Cordero for what amounts to one inning of work. However, the club viewed the move as a stabilizer for the seventh and eighth innings, too. Weathers will move to the eighth inning and a setup role along with the promising Jared Burton.

"This isn't a slap at David Weathers, because he did a good job," Krivsky said. "But any time you can add that type of arm in the back end of your bullpen, it sets everything else up better."

Cincinnati Reds • Catchers: Job up for grabs • Corner IF: Votto takes shot at Majors • Middle IF: Phillips eyes more success • Outfielders: Center field race open • Starters: Questions after two aces • Bullpen: Cordero solidifies relief • Bench: Subs key to success

Weathers, who posted a 3.59 ERA in 70 games, was the lone dependable option over the entire season and led the league with 60 games finished. Of his 33 saves, 11 required more than one inning of work. Before closing for Cincinnati the past three seasons, the 38-year-old was a successful setup man.

Although he hadn't previously pitched above Double-A, Burton proved to be a find from the Rule 5 Draft. The 26-year-old posted a 2.51 ERA in 47 appearances, including a 1.83 ERA over his final 36 games during the second half of the season.

The rest of the bullpen roles are in flux heading into Spring Training, but there is no shortage of candidates for Krivsky and new manager Dusty Baker to evaluate.

There are three lefties in Stanton, Bray and second-year reliever Jon Coutlangus. Among the right-handers, Todd Coffey shed over 25 pounds this winter and hopes to reclaim his 2006 form after a miserable 2007. Majewski is expected to have his shoulder issues behind him, but questions remain whether he can ever meet expectations since he was acquired in a July 2006, eight-player blockbuster trade with the Nationals.

Marcus McBeth, acquired from the A's organization last year, had some bright moments out of the bullpen. Another righty, Rule 5 acquisition Sergio Valenzuela, will have to make the club as a long reliever or likely be sent back to the Braves if he doesn't make the 25-man roster.

Of the 33 pitchers expected in camp will be several non-roster relievers. Left-hander and Cincinnati native Scott Sauerbeck was signed to a Minor League deal last week and right-hander Mike Lincoln, who hasn't pitched in the Majors since 2004, is attempting a comeback after signing this week. Also auditioning will be right-hander Jim Brower and lefties Justin Lehr and Adam Pettyjohn. Brad Salmon, who has bounced back and forth between the Reds and Triple-A Louisville, is also a camp invite. Top-10 prospect Josh Roenicke, who reached Double-A last season, will participate in his first big league camp.

"You always look for some people to step up and be a surprise at Spring Training," Krivsky said. "There are a lot of guys down there capable of pitching in the Major Leagues. It will be fun seeing them compete and how it develops."