Braves veteran Pierce Johnson is heading to Cincinnati, and while it won’t make the loudest splash of the offseason, this move is precisely the kind that could pay off when it matters most.
A Veteran Arm with Postseason Poise
The past few postseasons have taught us a few things about modern bullpens, and one of them is this: experience, composure, and a sharp curveball still count for something. Johnson, who became a free agent after the Braves declined his $7 million option, checks those boxes, and now, the Reds are betting on them.
Johnson’s story isn’t one of overnight success. He’s battled through stints in Japan, weathered trades, and carved out a late-career niche as a reliable, if unheralded, reliever. After the Braves acquired him from the Rockies, he quickly became a key cog in a stacked Atlanta bullpen. Over 147 games with the Braves, he posted a tidy 2.91 ERA, and in the postseason, where lights shine harshest, he didn’t allow a single run in four appearances.
Reds Bullpen Looks to Level Up
The Reds are aiming to build on a surprising postseason run last year. Their young core turned heads, and their bullpen, while serviceable, now needs reinforcements to endure the grind of a full season and October ambitions. Johnson doesn’t have the velocity of a flamethrower or the viral highlights of a closer, but what he does offer is consistency and the kind of pitch mix that keeps hitters guessing.
Command, Consistency, and Curveballs
His bread-and-butter curveball remains sharp, and when paired with a mid-90s fastball, it can still miss bats. Add a cutter to the arsenal, even as an occasional wrinkle, and there’s a lot to like here. The Reds don’t need Johnson to be a savior. They need him to be solid, trustworthy, and available in high-leverage moments.
At nearly 35, he’s not the future. But he might be exactly the bridge this Reds bullpen needs right now.
