The Reds have agreed to a minor league deal with free agent reliever Bryan Shaw, reports Robert Murray of FanSided. Shaw, a client of CAA, will reunite with former Cleveland skipper Terry Francona in Cincinnati and head to major league camp in spring training, where he’ll compete for a bullpen spot.
The 37-year-old Shaw has pitched in the majors in each of the past 14 seasons, albeit only for four innings with the 2024 White Sox. He spent roughly half that time pitching for Francona in Cleveland, where Shaw enjoyed a stretch as one of the American League’s most durable and effective setup men.
From 2013-17, Shaw piled up 358 1/3 innings of 3.11 ERA ball with a 22.5% strikeout rate and 8% walk rate. He tallied a hefty 110 holds along the way — the third-most in all of Major League Baseball in that five-year span (trailing the since-retired Tony Watson and Tyler Clippard).
Shaw parlayed that run of excellence into a three-year deal with the Rockies, but as with so many pitchers at Coors Field, things didn’t pan out. Shaw posted an ERA north of 5.00 in each of his two seasons with Colorado before being cut loose. He had a brief cameo with the Mariners during the shortened 2020 campaign but didn’t pitch well there, either.
In the four years since, Shaw has had an up-and-down run but has been serviceable on the whole. He’s pitched 185 1/3 frames dating back to Opening Day 2021 and sports a 4.37 ERA, 20.6% strikeout rate and 10.5% walk rate. He spent most of the 2024 season with the Angels’ Triple-A club, posting a 4.14 ERA in 41 1/3 innings.
The Reds have several bullpen spots already spoken for. Alexis Diaz, Fernando Cruz, Emilio Pagan, Sam Moll, Brent Suter and Tony Santillan are all likely to open the season on the active roster, health permitting. Roansy Contreras, claimed off waivers earlier this week, will need to make the Opening Day roster or else be traded or passed through waivers prior to Opening Day. Cincinnati will likely make some additional non-roster pickups at the very least, but Shaw is a clear favorite of Francona’s, which could give him an inside track on a bullpen job if he shows well during spring training.
Tito bringing in someone he knows. I can’t blame him.
A long way to go to have a bullpen you can count on though.
I still say Ashcraft and Lodolo should end up there.
Ashcraft for sure idk about lodolo yet and he’s still needed in the rotation
This One —
You say that Ashcraft and Lodolo should end up in the bullpen.
You’d be wrong. Lodolo has top of the rotation stuff and the Reds need him in the rotation. And if the reasoning is relief from his blister issue, would pitching in twice as many games a season help his blister problem? Not to mention all of the warmup sessions in the bullpen …
Lodolo can’t throw more than 60 pitches without developing blisters on his index finger. He tried a new grip after the all star break, but that was ineffective.
I don’t get the hate on those guys, Lodolo, especially. Both those guys have shown #2 starter stuff. If anybody goes to the bullpen, it should be Abbott. His peripherals were absolutely horrible last year, and its going to catch up
No hate here. They have dominant stuff but in short bursts. I just think it is better long term. Lodolo’s blister issues especially concerning. I could see him being another Hader.
Tito has a man crush on Shaw. He will let Shaw pitch in 81 games.
More like Tito going to be bringing in some of his homemade hooch. Vodka for everyone!
Would rather they bring Farmer and Gibaut back. Those guys have proven well for us, when healthy
Farmer for sure. Not sure about Gibaut’s health after last year. We just know from experience never bring Gibaut into a tie game.
Tito needs to call in old friend Scott Atchison!
Now sign Wade Davis and Jake McGee to relive that whole awful and expensive Rockies bullpen era.
Oh noes! Was hoping the Rangers would sign Shaw, reuniting him with his archnemesis and new found buddy cop Hobbs for more hijinxs. Now who’s gonna help the gang defuse a ticking thermonuclear device by going really really fast?
OK, another possible bullpen option but let’s address the large hole we have for a power hitting outfielder. Getting a little nervous here. This team is close to contending and time is ticking