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Cincinnati Reds bring home Brent Suter, sign Moeller alum to $3 million deal for 2024

gordon wittenmyer, cincinnati enquirer
·2 min read

Maybe the Cincinnati Reds aren't done with important moves this winter, after all.

Barely a week after saying the Reds were "pretty much done" adding to the big-league roster, team president Nick Krall added hometown favorite Brent Suter to his bullpen Thursday, agreeing to terms with the longtime Milwaukee Brewers left-hander on a one-year, $3 million deal with a club option for 2025.

Left-hander Brent Suter pitched last season with the Rockies after spending the first seven years of his career with the Brewers.
Left-hander Brent Suter pitched last season with the Rockies after spending the first seven years of his career with the Brewers.

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The deal pays $2.5 million in 2024 salary with a $500,000 buyout clause on the $3.5 million option for the Moeller grad with a 3.49 career big-league ERA. The deal is expected to become official after a physical.

Brent Suter, 34, spent the first seven seasons of his major league career with Milwaukee before being claimed by the Colorado Rockies prior to last season. He had a 3.38 ERA in 57 appearances for the Rockies.
Brent Suter, 34, spent the first seven seasons of his major league career with Milwaukee before being claimed by the Colorado Rockies prior to last season. He had a 3.38 ERA in 57 appearances for the Rockies.

The Reds spent much of last season operating with one left-hander at a time in a bullpen that became an unsung hero in their surprising run into contention last season, with Alex Young serving in that role until Sam Moll was added at the trade deadline – and then Moll as the lone lefty for three weeks when Young was sidelined late in the season for weeks with issues ranging from his back and hamstring to a bout with COVID-19.

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Suter, 34, spent the first seven seasons of his career with the Brewers before being claimed off waivers by the Colorado Rockies ahead of last season. He had a 3.38 ERA in 57 appearances for the Rockies, including two starts as an opener.

His deal brings the Reds' total spending on free agents this winter to $108.25 million on six players, including five pitchers.

"Don't forget about the Reds," said former big-league general manager and longtime evaluator Dan Evans during a recent conversation about the National League Central. "The Reds are going to be a really good team this year."

The signings:

  • IF Jeimer Candelario, $45 million (three years)

  • RHP Nick Martinez, $26 million (two)

  • RHP Frankie Montas, $16 million (one)

  • RHP Emilio Pagán, $16 million (two)

  • LHP Brent Suter, $3 million (one)

  • RHP Buck Farmer, $2.25 million (one) in return to team.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Brent Suter brings hometown flavor to Cincinnati Reds winter signings