The Reds are bringing back left-handed reliever Alex Young on a minor league deal, reports Jon Heyman of The New York Post. The Wasserman client gets a non-roster invite to MLB camp.
Young was a productive member of the Cincinnati bullpen in 2023. He made a career-high 63 appearances and worked to a 3.86 earned run average through 53 2/3 innings. That was a strong return on a small investment, as Young had inked a minor league contract the preceding offseason. He held his roster spot into July before Cincinnati flipped him to the Giants for outfielder Austin Slater. It didn’t wind up being a significant move for either team. Slater appeared in eight games before the Reds dealt him to the Orioles. Young didn’t pitch in the majors for San Francisco, who lost him on waivers to the Mets within two weeks.
The 31-year-old southpaw pitched 13 times for New York. He allowed five runs across 13 2/3 innings. New York opted not to tender him a contract in November, sending him back to free agency in the process. Young didn’t find a major league roster spot but made a strong enough impression during his previous stint in Cincinnati that the Reds will give him a look in Spring Training.
Cincinnati has a pair of left-handers locked into Terry Francona’s bullpen: Sam Moll and Brent Suter. Young and Reiver Sanmartin are among their non-roster options from the left side. Veteran righty Bryan Shaw, a longtime Francona favorite, will also be in camp as a non-roster invitee. The Reds could have two or three middle relief spots for up grabs. Alexis Díaz, Emilio Pagán, Tony Santillan, Moll and Suter will all be in the Opening Day bullpen if healthy.
Not a bad idea to bring him to camp. At least an experienced major leaguer.
Good move.
Wawaweewa! Verrry niiice, how much?
I always liked this guy. I could not understand why he was waived or traded by multiple teams last year.
Me neither. Glad to see him back
Alex young did a decent job the last couple of years, but I don’t know, the Reds sign the same relievers every offseason (Young, Farmer, Gibuat etc.) some of them produce, but as a unit, the Reds always have one of the worst bullpens in baseball. Maybe it’s time to try something new.
They need more of a presence at the back end to get to Diaz for sure. Been harping in that for a while but they trot the same shaky guys out there in high leverage situations.
Nice signing. Keep ’em coming.
I’m on board with this signing as well. Only 31 and he has proven to be effective. Wondering if they miss out on other relievers if Burns might get a call up a few months in to anchor 7th or 8th inning duties. Would love to see it if he is remotely ready. Dude has the stuff and pedigree.