Lucas

Sims

Sims came over from the Reds at last month’s trade deadline and has compiled a calamitous 8.10 ERA, 1.60 WHIP and 7/7 K/BB ratio across 10 innings (11 appearances) for Boston. With just a few weeks left in the year, it’s entirely possible his season is over.

Sims will become a high-leverage option for the Red Sox bullpen after posting a 3.57 ERA and 40/20 K/BB over his 35 1/3 innings in 40 appearances with Cincinnati. The right-hander will hit free agency at the end of the 2024 season.

Joel Sherman reports that the Reds will receiver Ovis Portes for the reliever. Sims has been a solid option for the Cincinnati bullpen in 2024, and now he’ll head to a Boston group that needs the help considerably. He’s registered a 3.57 ERA and 40/20 K/BB in 40 appearances and 35 1/3 innings. He’ll be a bridge to Kenley Jansen in the mid-to-late innings.

The “decision stems from a roster crunch, not a move to become outright sellers,” so the Reds will only look to move relievers who will be free agents at the end of the year. That includes players like Lucas Sims, Buck Farmer, Justin Wilson, and Nick Martinez. Veteran right-handers Emilio Pagán and Ian Gibaut are out of options and getting closer to a return, leaving the Reds short on roster spots for relievers they’d like to keep, which is why they might be looking to rearrange deck chairs in their bullpen.

Díaz got lucky when a pitch that hit both Nick Madigal’s hand and the knob of his bat was ruled a foul ball and was then fortunate again when Madrigal, as the tying run, was thrown out at home plate trying to score on Seiya Suzuki’s double. Díaz has a 5.91 ERA this season. He’s walked 15 and hit three batters in 21 1/3 innings. He’s simply not worthy of trust right now, but since he’s blown only two saves and the Reds don’t have anyone else they’re really wanting to turn to, he’ll probably remain in the closer’s role for now. Lucas Sims is likely still second in line, even if Fernando Cruz is the more interesting reliever these days.

Sims got the call today with Alexis Díaz having worked the previous two days. The setup man had a tough first five weeks, posting a 6.35 ERA in his first 13 outings, but this makes eight straight scoreless appearances now.

The seemingly oft-injured Sims had his first season ever with over 47 innings pitched in 2023, posting a 3.10 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, and 72 /39 K/BB ratio in 61 innings. Obviously, a 15.1 percent walk rate is not something the Reds hope to see duplicated and will certainly keep Sims from throwing in the late innings, but the 29-year-old has great raw stuff and could emerge as a real force in the Reds’ bullpen if he can get his walks in check.

Sims got the call in the eleventh inning after a wild back-and-forth affair in the desert. He struck out Jace Peterson and Jose Herrera and needed just eleven pitches to get the job done. The 29-year-old has a 3.70 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, and 63/32 K/BB ratio across 48 2/3 innings (53 appearances).

Sims got the call to protect a four-run lead in the final frame with Alexis Díaz unavailable after closing out Monday’s series opener, and was credited with his first save of the year.

Sims retired only one of five batters he faced in what ended up being a six-run inning for the Rockies. The setup man came into the day with a 0.82 ERA in 11 innings since returning from the IL, but he’s at 3.97 now.