Reds trade for Moll to bolster bullpen

CHICAGO -- The Reds swung their first deal ahead of Tuesday's Trade Deadline by acquiring left-handed reliever Sam Moll from the A's on Monday for Minor League pitcher Joe Boyle. Cincinnati also received international bonus pool money in the trade.

TRADE DETAILS
Reds receive: LHP Sam Moll, international bonus money
A's receive: RHP Joe Boyle (CIN No. 28 prospect)

In 44 relief appearances and one start for Oakland this season, Moll is 0-3 with a 4.54 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and one save. Over his big league career -- covering 2017 and 2021-23, the 31-year-old has a 4.13 ERA over 117 games.

Moll has stronger splits against left-handed hitters, who are batting .197 against him this season, compared to .276 for righty hitters.

“It’s a nice extra guy in the bullpen. He’s left-handed, obviously, gets lefties out. He also has options and control, as well," Reds general manager Nick Krall said. “Good fastball, good breaking ball. He has a chance to miss bats, especially in our ballpark.”

The Reds, who are surprise contenders for a postseason spot and lead the National League Central by 1 1/2 games over Milwaukee, have been looking to add rotation and bullpen help. While the rotation ranked 27th in the Major Leagues in ERA (5.18) and 22nd in innings (537), Reds relievers have been used heavily to pick up the slack.

Cincinnati's bullpen ranked third in the National League in innings (416 1/3). Three Reds relievers – closer Alexis Díaz, Buck Farmer and Ian Gibaut entered Monday tied for the NL lead in appearances (49), while lefty Alex Young was tied for second (48).

That made adding relievers a high priority for the Reds.

“Fresh arms, track record and being able to have some options and get some extra guys that can pitch in games you’re winning and giving [manager David Bell] more options," Krall said.

Young welcomed having Moll in the bullpen with him.

“It’s always good to have reinforcements and have another lefty," Young said after the Reds' 6-5 win over the Cubs Monday night. "I’ve always said I don’t mind going out there every day. I know Sam. I’ve played with him a couple of years ago with the Diamondbacks. He’s a really good guy and he’s got really good stuff and I’m just excited for him to be here.”

Said Bell: "Alex has done such a nice job for us, so it'll be good to kind of share the load there."

Krall is also still looking for starters, but is finding the market to be prohibitive. Pitchers like Lucas Giolito, Lance Lynn, Jordan Montgomery and Max Scherzer have been dealt in recent days. If the Reds deal for a starting pitcher, they'd prefer to get one who has club control beyond 2023.

"Just for us, we just haven't found a match," Krall said. "Our goal is sustainability, and we're trying to get sustainable. To give up players that hurt us in that way -- whether it's guys that are here right now on this team, or whether it's guys that are going to be here for the long term, or guys that are close to ready and have a chance to help this team next year -- I think we're looking at that we want to make sure we can be sustainable. That's our goal."

Boyle was Cincinnati's No. 28 prospect, according to MLB Pipeline. At Double-A Chattanooga in 19 starts this season, he was 6-5 with a 4.50 ERA and 1.64 WHIP. He was the Reds' fifth-round pick in the 2020 Draft out of Notre Dame.

The Trade Deadline is at 6 p.m. ET on Tuesday. Krall planned to keep working and fielding calls until the zero hour.

"Whatever it is that can make our team better," he said, "we’re looking at it."