The Reds bullpen has been a strength throughout the years. Unfortunately the last 5 yrs or so we can no longer count on the bullpen to be effective. White and Mercker as we all know have been unable to get the job done. We have been very quick to DFA others who have not produced such as Williams and Womack. My solution would be going with younger players from AAA or AA if needed. Brad Salmon has pitched well in AA and now in AAA and Durmait might be an answer as well. Here is the skinny on Salmon from Reds Reporter.


37. Brad Salmon, 26, RP
Last year's ranking: NR
2005 stats:
Chattanooga, 72.2 IP, 3.34 ERA, 71/31 K/BB
Louisville, 16.1 IP, 3.31 ERA, 8/5 K/BB

Salmon was a 31st round draft pick way back in 1998. He's obviously moved really, really slowly since being drafted, spending three entire seasons at the low-A level, and most of the past two seasons bouncing back and forth between high-A and AA. Last season however, he made it all the way to Louisville for the first time in his career, and did pretty well in limited time. Whether he'll start 2006 in Chattanooga or Louisville is anyone's guess, but his K rate and ERA from Chattanooga last season makes you think he doesn't have a lot left to learn at the AA level.
Let's give these guys a shot can't be any worse than what we have.