Cardinals add Reyes to bullpen

March 6, 9:20 AMMLB ExaminerAlex Brown

Previous Next

Comment Print Email RSS Subscribe

Subscribe

Get alerts when there is a new article from the MLB Examiner. Read Examiner.com's terms of use.

Email Address   Include other special offers from Examiner.com Terms of Use

The St. Louis Cardinals have added left handed reliever Dennys Reyes to their bullpen.  The two sides have agreed on a two-year, $3M deal – Reyes will report to Cardinals camp after the conclusion of the World Baseball Classic, where he’s pitching for his native Mexico.

Reyes has been one of the best left-handed specialists in the game for the past three years.  Here are his numbers against lefties since 2006:

• 2008: .202 BAA
• 2007: .274 BAA
• 2006: .148 BAA

Reyes’ 2006 season was one of the best by a relief pitcher ever – he also held right handed hitters to a .244 average, and struck out 49 batters in 50.7 innings pitched, while only walking 15.  Reyes will be called upon to face the National League’s best lefty sluggers – players like Adam LaRoche, Prince Fielder, Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, Raul Ibanez, and Carlos Delgado.

This is an incredible steal for Cardinals GM John Mozeliak.  Reyes is now the top lefty in their bullpen, complimented by fellow offseason pickup Trever Miller.  This move also keeps untested lefties like Royce Ring and Charlie Manning from seeing regular time.  Reyes (and Miller), along with young right handers Jason Motte and Chris Perez may form one of the best bullpens in baseball in 2009.