Instead, the strength of the bullpen in 2012 will be determined largely by the performance of two young relievers who burst onto the scene 1 year ago. Lefty reliever Antonio Bastardo, 26, spent most of the season as one of the most dominant setup men in the majors, blowing just one save while pitching in 27 save/hold situations. He stranded 28 of the 32 runners he inherited and posted a 2.64 ERA while striking out 10.9 batters-per-nine innings. Bastardo was often paired with 25-year-old righty Michael Stutes, who posted a 3.63 ERA, 8.4 strikeouts-per-nine and 4.1 walks-per-nine after being called up to fill in for injured veteran Jose Contreras.
Now, the question is whether Bastardo and Stutes can avoid the late-season rough patches they experienced and put together an entire year of the type of dominance their stuff makes them capable of. Bastardo's only hiccups came in September, when he allowed nine runs with seven walks and just four strikeouts in his final eight appearances. Stutes, meanwhile, posted a 4.44 ERA in August and September as the grind of a major league season appeared to catch up with him.
Spring will be a time to monitor how effectively both young relievers built their arms back up after their first extended major league campaigns. Meanwhile, manager Charlie Manuel and pitching coach Rich Dubee will attempt to get a feel for the two new veterans joining the fold.
The most intriguing addition is 30-year-old lefty Dontrelle Willis, who finished second in the 2005 Cy Young voting as a 23-year-old starter for the Marlins. Willis has spent the last five seasons attempting to rediscover the groove he had during those early years. In 13 starts for the Reds last season, he went 1-6 with a 5.00 ERA, 6.8 strikeouts-per-nine and 4.4 walks-per-nine.
