The Reds got Lucas Sims as part of a three-player package for Adam Duvall way back in 2018, they traded their 18th best prospect for Sam Moll, and then you have the drafted guys, waiver guys, and even an independent league ball signing. I’m sure I could find multiple examples of exactly that in just the last five years.Īnnnd I’ve already found two examples in 2023 alone! The Baltimore Orioles and Cincinnati Reds had the 2nd and 5th most fWAR out of the bullpen this past season. You could build a bullpen of entirely waiver wire pickups and minor leaguers in your system - and it could be top 5 in the league. I’m acknowledging the futility in building a good bullpen and just throwing up my hands to the randomness of it all. I’m not saying I don’t want a good bullpen. Which is not to say that the concept of needing a pitcher or two in the bullpen didn’t occur to me - I have added bullpen arms in my trade scenarios.īut I treat the bullpen as an afterthought. Thinking about it, it should really have occurred to me, but it didn’t. For example, I have been completely caught off guard about how much desire there is for substantial bullpen arms. Sometimes I get a slap on the face when I realize most fans don’t think like me (or most VEB commentators) when it comes to roster building.
