Sunday, February 20, 2000

Reds want more of same from bullpen

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No fixes needed for 1999's best relief squad

BY CHRIS HAFT
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Scott Sullivan (Michael E. Keating photo) | ZOOM |

        SARASOTA, Fla. — Predicting another outstanding season for the Reds' bullpen seems logical. But most relievers' careers defy prediction and logic.

        While position players and even starting pitchers can last for decades, a reliever's prowess can fade overnight. Perennials like John Franco and Lee Smith are outnumbered by short-timers like Bobby Thigpen and Mark Davis.

        So, while each of the Reds' five returning relievers is young, strong and skilled, even they realize that duplicating 1999 isn't certain. But the Reds need continued bullpen excellence to fulfill their postseason hopes.

        Airtight relief complemented an offense that generated 45 come-from-behind victories and 21 wins in the final at-bat last year. Since Ken Griffey Jr.'s arrival has created expectations for more scoring, it's essential that the bullpen keep pace.

        “I can guarantee you it will be the same effort, or more,” right-hander Scott Sullivan said. “The results may vary.”

        One thing's certain: Tinkering with success is foolish. Barring major injuries or sudden lapses, the Reds will open the season with the same alignment that helped them post the major leagues' best bullpen ERA (3.36) and lowest opponents' batting average (.225) last year.

Dennys Reyes tosses a 2-pound rubber ball to strengthen his rotator cuff. (Michael E. Keating photo) | ZOOM |

        Left-handers Dennys Reyes and Gabe White will throw mostly in set-up and situational roles, pitching the sixth or seventh innings and facing left-handed hitters. Sullivan, whose 313 innings from 1997-99 led all relievers in that span, is manager Jack McKeon's most trusted set-up specialist. Danny Graves and NL Rookie of the Year Scott Williamson, who combined for 46 saves last season, will share the closing duties. A sixth reliever will be selected from the horde of pitchers in camp.

        Since the returnees are between 22 and 29 years of age and have had no major arm problems — Williamson is believed to have conquered shoulder tendinitis and Reyes is expected to recover from his current soreness — the Reds' bullpen actually might improve.

        “I'm not a status quo-type guy. I always think there's going to be room for improvement, regardless of how long you've been playing,” Reds pitching coach Don Gullett said. “To me, it would be a tragic thing to have people who think they're as good as they're going to be.”

        An increased comfort level should help. A year older and more savvy, each reliever has better knowledge of his limits and responsibilities.

        “Going into the year, nobody really knew what their roles were,” said Graves, who saved 27 games. “As the year went on, we all kind of knew when we were pitching and when we weren't.”

        Graves surprised even himself by pitching 111 innings, second-most in the NL behind Sullivan's 113ö, and notching nine saves in September. Like many pitchers who depend on sinking fastballs, Graves thrived with more work.

        “You never imagine throwing 100 innings out of the bullpen and throwing as well in the last week of September as you did in July and August,” Graves said. “I mainly learned how to keep myself in good shape physically and mentally.”

        While conditioning is within an athlete's control, physical breakdowns often aren't. A single injury can disrupt the equilibrium of an entire bullpen by forcing relievers to change roles or pitch more innings.

        Though Williamson strengthened his shoulder with offseason conditioning, his high-torque, maximum-effort style casts doubt upon his long-term health. and few relievers have sustained Sullivan's kind of workload — he became the first player to top the NL in relief innings in back-to-back years since Pittsburgh's Kent Tekulve (1978-79). Sullivan's also the first Red to log consecutive 100-inning seasons since Pedro Borbon (1972-77).

        Sullivan doesn't sense a downfall looming. “I feel good,” he said. “I've learned more every year. Whether I pitch that many innings this year, the game dictates that. If the opportunity's there, I want the ball and I want to pitch.”

        Spring training schedule

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