The Cincinnati Reds have been busy reshaping their bullpen, with the acquisition of former All-Star reliever Taylor Rogers from the San Francisco Giants serving as the latest big move. The Reds traded minor league right-hander Braxton Roxby in exchange for Rogers, who brings a veteran presence and a $6 million salary. This capped off a flurry of transactions that could mark the end of the team's major offseason activity. In addition to Rogers, Cincinnati signed Wade Miley, who is expected to return to the rotation midseason after rehabbing from injury. They also brought in bullpen reinforcements on minor league deals, including Ian Gibaut, Albert Abreu, and Joe La Sorsa, all of whom have solid MLB experience. These moves came as reports surfaced that the Reds backed away from a trade for Luis Robert Jr. due to the high asking price from the White Sox. General Manager Nick Krall summed up the situation by stating, "We're probably in a spot where this is your team going into camp." With that in mind, let's dive into the competition shaping up in the Reds' bullpen. The Locked-In Relievers Alexis Díaz remains the team’s closer despite a slightly disappointing 2024 season. Taylor Rogers, a seasoned reliever with multiple 30+ save seasons, will also have a significant role. Brent Suter restructured his deal to give the team some financial flexibility and will join Rogers as a left-handed option. Meanwhile, Emilio Pagán, coming off an injury-riddled 2024, is owed $8 million and will get every opportunity to prove his worth. Although Nick Martinez excelled as a reliever, he is being considered a starter heading into 2025. The 40-Man Roster Candidates Tony Santillan made an impressive return last season after being DFA’d Rhett Lowder Jersey, and his solid 30-inning stretch gives him an edge for a bullpen spot. Sam Moll, a key trade deadline acquisition in 2023, struggled with shoulder issues last year. While the Reds added another lefty in Rogers, Moll has been effective when healthy. Yosver Zulueta showed promise in his 2024 rookie season, though his high ERA (4.96) raises some concerns. He still has one minor league option left. Luis Mey, a flamethrower capable of hitting 103 mph, impressed in the Arizona Fall League and was protected from the Rule 5 Draft. However, his control issues and lack of experience beyond Double-A suggest he may need more development time. Starter Depth or Bullpen Options? Graham Ashcraft appears to be the odd man out in the starting rotation due to his limited pitch mix and inconsistent results. He could be an intriguing bullpen option, but with two minor league options left, the Reds may first test him in that role at Triple-A. Carson Spiers, Connor Phillips, and Lyon Richardson are in similar situations—each has potential but may not fit into the immediate plans as starters. Julian Aguiar and Brandon Williamson both underwent Tommy John surgery and will miss all of 2025, meaning their eventual move to the 60-day IL will open up two additional roster spots. The Non-Roster Contenders Ian Gibaut, once a bullpen workhorse, is returning on a minor league deal after an injury-riddled season. His performance in spring training will determine whether he can reclaim a roster spot. Joe La Sorsa and Alex Young offer left-handed relief depth but face an uphill battle for Opening Day spots. Albert Abreu and Bryan Shaw provide veteran right-handed options but, with no minor league options left, would need to make the team outright or risk being released. Zach Maxwell, a towering 6'6", 275-pound power pitcher, can hit 103 mph on the radar gun and pairs it with a devastating slider. His command issues remain a concern, but if he improves his control in Triple-A, he could be a major factor later in the season. The Road Ahead With the Reds expected to carry eight relievers Buck Farmer Jersey, four spots appear locked in, leaving over a dozen arms competing for the remaining four jobs. Injuries will inevitably influence the final roster, which is why the front office has prioritized depth. The goal isn’t just to build the best possible bullpen for Opening Day but to maintain depth and flexibility throughout the grueling 162-game season. Roster decisions will be shaped not just by performance but also by administrative factors such as minor league options and service time. The battle for bullpen spots in Goodyear, Arizona this spring promises to be intense, and the Reds’ success in 2025 could hinge on the arms that emerge from the competition.