As the Cincinnati Reds attempt to avoid 100 losses, here's how ex-Reds are performing
As the Cincinnati Reds limp through the final five weeks of the season, battling a number of injuries and trying to stay out of the cellar of the National League Central, it’s a long way from where they were at this time last year.
The Reds were an 83-win team last season and were at the top of the NL Wild Card race before the St. Louis Cardinals won a franchise-record 17 games in a row.
In a sign of how much things have changed, the Reds had only two players in the lineup Thursday that they had in the lineup exactly one year ago on Aug. 25, 2021: Kyle Farmer and Aristides Aquino. Four players from that game last year were traded away and one player opted out of his contract to become a free agent.
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Here’s an update on how some notable departures have performed since they left the organization:
Luis Castillo, Seattle Mariners
Stats (entering Saturday): 1-1 record, 3.16 ERA in four starts. In 25 2/3 innings, he’s struck out 29 and walked seven.
Background: Castillo was the top pitcher available on the trade market and the Reds traded him to the Mariners to upgrade their farm system, acquiring two prospects rated on Baseball America’s top 100 list. Castillo’s first two starts, both team wins, came against the Yankees, another suitor for him at the trade deadline.
Contract status: Eligible to become a free agent after the 2023 season.
Tyler Mahle, Minnesota Twins
Contract status: Eligible to become a free agent after the 2023 season.
Stats: 1-0, 2.51 ERA in three starts. He’s struck out 12 and walked four across 14 1/3 innings.
Background: Mahle was placed on the 15-day injured list with right shoulder inflammation on Aug. 20. It’s not believed to be a serious injury after his MRI came back clean, but he pitched only 2 1/3 innings in his last start with his velocity down by 4 mph. Mahle had a stint on the IL with a right shoulder strain before the Reds traded him to the Twins.
Contract status: Eligible to become a free agent after the 2023 season.
Brandon Drury, San Diego Padres
Stats: 21 games, .205/.250/.359 slash line with three homers, three doubles, 14 RBI and 11 runs.
Background: Splitting time at DH and the corner infield spots, Drury hit a grand slam in his first at-bat with the Padres, but he’s slumped over the last two weeks with a .379 OPS (on-base plus slugging percentage) and 12 strikeouts in 47 at-bats. The Padres made the biggest splash at the trade deadline, acquiring Juan Soto, and they’re holding onto the last NL Wild Card spot.
Contract status: A free agent at the end of the season.
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Tommy Pham, Boston Reds Sox
Stats: 20 G, .274/.307/.476 with eight doubles, three homers, 13 RBI and 14 runs.
Background: Batting leadoff for the Red Sox, there have been some highlights for Pham. He had a walk-off hit against the Yankees. He had a stretch where he homered in three consecutive games. The Red Sox are far back in the playoff picture, but Pham has posted an .890 OPS in his last 15 games.
Contract status: A free agent at the end of the season.
Tyler Naquin, New York Mets
Stats: 23 G, .241/.281/.519 with three homers, two doubles, two triples, seven RBI and nine runs.
Background: Naquin homered twice in his first home game with the Mets and had a big series against the Reds shortly after the trade deadline, but he’s struggled over the last two weeks in a platoon role. He entered Saturday with two singles in his last 24 at-bats with two walks and 14 strikeouts.
Contract status: A free agent at the end of the season.
Jesse Winker, Seattle Mariners
Stats: 113 G, .230/.348/.366 with 13 homers, 14 doubles, 48 RBI and 43 runs.
Background: It was a slow start to the season for Winker, who may have been pressing with his new team after he was traded in spring training. Winker hasn’t dominated right-handed pitching to the level he did last year, but he’s played a big part in helping the Mariners sit in a wild-card spot with a .408 on-base percentage this month.
Contract status: Eligible to become a free agent after the 2023 season.
Eugenio Suarez, Seattle Mariners
Stats: 125 G, .228/.335/.440 with 23 homers, 22 doubles, 71 RBI and 61 runs.
Background: Despite moving from the hitter-friendly Great American Ball Park to a pitcher’s park in Seattle, Suárez has found his power again. He’s been phenomenal this month with seven homers and 19 RBI while posting a .922 OPS. He still leads the league in strikeouts, but it’s been a big bounceback year offensively for him.
Contract status: He’s owed $22 million over the next two years with a $15 million club option for 2024.
Sonny Gray, Minnesota Twins
Stats: 7-4, 3.10 ERA in 19 starts. He’s totaled 95 strikeouts and 28 walks in 95 2/3 innings.
Background: He dealt with a couple of injuries in the first half of the season, but he’s been excellent when healthy. He’s posted a 1.93 ERA since the All-Star break and become the ace of the Twins’ rotation as they sit behind Cleveland in the divisional race.
Contract status: The Twins hold a $13.1 million club option for 2023, which is a lock to be picked up.
Tucker Barnhart, Detroit Tigers
Stats: 76 G, .208/.268/.240 with zero homers, seven doubles, 13 RBI and 11 runs.
Background: It’s been a disastrous season in Detroit and Barnhart is having his worst offensive season. He’s hitting better this month, but he has only seven extra-base hits in 221 at-bats this year.
Contract status: A free agent at the end of the season.
Amir Garrett, Kansas City Royals
Stats: 3-1, 5.05 ERA in 45 relief appearances. Pitching 35 1/3 innings, he’s struck out 36 and walked 26.
Background: It’s been an up-and-down season for Garrett. He had a 13-inning scoreless streak before he gave up five hits and four runs in one-third of an inning in his last outing. He hasn’t allowed a homer this season, but his walk rate is at a career high.
Contract status: A free agent at the end of the season.
Wade Miley, Chicago Cubs
Stats: 1-0, 2.84 ERA in four starts. He had 12 strikeouts and eight walks in 19 innings.
Background: It’s been an injury-riddled season for Miley, who hasn’t pitched in the Majors since June 10. He had a setback with some tightness in his shoulder on his rehab assignment last week and it’s unclear when he will return.
Contract status: A free agent at the end of the season.
Nick Castellanos, Philadelphia Phillies
Stats: 125 G, .268/.309/.397 with 12 homers, 27 doubles, 60 RBI and 52 runs.
Background: It’s been a tough offensive season for Castellanos, power numbers down after hitting 34 homers last year, but he looked more like his usual self during a 14-game hitting streak this month. He’s hit better on the road than at home this year (.737 OPS versus .673 OPS)
Contract status: He’s owed $80 million over the next four seasons.
Michael Lorenzen, Los Angeles Angels
Stats: 6-6, 4.94 ERA in 13 starts. He’s pitched 71 innings with 55 strikeouts and 30 walks.
Background: Lorenzen has been on the 60-day injured list since his start on July 1 with a right shoulder strain. He’s on a rehab assignment and expected to return in early September. It’s been a disappointing season for the Angels. Lorenzen pitched well in his first 10 starts, but he allowed 16 earned runs in his last three outings.
Contract status: A free agent at the end of the season.
Mychal Givens, New York Mets
Stats: 6-3, 4.14 ERA in 51 relief appearances. He’s struck out 61 and walked 20 in 50 innings out of the bullpen.
Background: Givens, who was traded from the Cubs to the Mets at the trade deadline, has struggled with his newest team and yielded 16 hits and 11 earned runs in his last 9 1/3 innings. He had a 2.66 ERA in 40 relief appearances with the Cubs.
Contract status: There is a $3.5 million mutual option with a $1.5 million buyout for next season.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Updates on former Cincinnati Reds: Luis Castillo, Tyler Mahle, Winker
