Reds FeedBrock Burke
P · Age 30 · Bats Left · Throws Left
Where things stand
Brock Burke enters free agency after a strong 2026 season with the Cincinnati Reds, posting a 2.30 ERA across 74⅓ innings while appearing in a league-leading 77 games. The left-handed reliever has become the Reds' only remaining left-handed bullpen option following recent departures, making him a priority target for Cincinnati to retain before the offseason lockout. Burke's reliable performance in high-leverage situations and effectiveness against both left and right-handed batters position him as an attractive mid-tier free agent investment.
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2026 season
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Brock Burke coverage
Reviewing The Rays, Angels, And Reds Three-Team Trade
In a three-team trade, the Rays acquired Josh Lowe and Chris Clark from the Angels while Los Angeles received Gavin Lux, and Cincinnati got reliever Brock Burke and shed Lux's $5.525 million salary. Burke emerged as the clear winner, posting a 2.30 ERA across 74 1/3 innings with a league-leading 77 appearances for the Reds and positioning himself for free agency success. Lowe disappointed for the Angels, batting .209 with a 76 wRC+ and spending time in the minors, while Lux never played for Tampa Bay due to a shoulder injury that required multiple recovery setbacks. The Rays won the AL East despite getting no production from their trade acquisitions, relying instead on a second base platoon of Richie Palacios and Ben Williamson.
MLB Trade RumorsReds could solve a bullpen problem with former Braves lefty who just hit free agency
The Cincinnati Reds face a shortage of left-handed relievers after trading Caleb Ferguson and designating Sam Moll for assignment, leaving them with none on their 40-man roster if they don't re-sign Brock Burke. Bailey Falter, a 29-year-old left-hander who just became a free agent after playing for the Atlanta Braves, could address this need as an inexpensive option. Falter struggled early in 2026 with Kansas City but improved significantly in Triple-A Gwinnett, posting a 4.44 ERA over 54 games from 2024-2025 and offering versatility as both a reliever and occasional starter. The Reds also face pitching depth concerns with Hunter Greene undergoing Tommy John surgery and Brady Singer expected to leave in free agency.
Blog Red MachineReds should start their mid-tier free agent search with one of their own
The Reds' front office has identified improving their evaluation of mid-tier free agents earning $7 million to $15 million annually as a priority for the upcoming offseason, following past failures like the Mike Moustakas and Jeimer Candelario signings. The team's bullpen ranked 25th with a 4.68 ERA in 2026, creating a need for reliable arms heading into 2027. Left-handed reliever Brock Burke, who posted a 2.30 ERA over 74⅓ innings this season while excelling in high-leverage situations, represents an in-house option the Reds should consider retaining. Burke's strong performance against both left and right-handed batters, combined with his relatively lower profile compared to other available lefty relievers, could make him an efficient mid-tier investment for Cincinnati.
Blog Red Machine2026 MLB Playoff Day Two Open Discussion Thread
The 2026 MLB wild card round continues with four elimination games scheduled. The Phillies face the Braves with Cristopher Sanchez taking the mound for Philadelphia, while Atlanta counters with Tyler Mahle. The White Sox and Astros play in Houston with the Astros needing a win to survive, with Hunter Brown starting for Houston and Sean Burke for Chicago. The Yankees look to extend their series lead against the Red Sox with Max Fried pitching for New York and Sonny Gray for Boston, and the Padres aim to finish off the Cubs with Nick Pivetta on the mound for San Diego against Kevin Gausman.
Redleg NationCincinnati Reds Notebook: The offseason ahead is vital
The Cincinnati Reds finished 2026 with a 75-87 record and last place in the NL Central after losing to Toronto 5-1, marking their worst season since 2022. The team faces significant roster turnover with three free agents (pitchers Brady Singer and Brock Burke, catcher Tyler Stephenson) and three players with mutual or player options who could depart, potentially leaving six players in free agency. Cincinnati's pitching was particularly weak outside of Chase Burns, and the offense relied heavily on Elly De La Cruz and Sal Stewart while most other hitters struggled significantly. The front office will need to spend available payroll on free agent talent acquisitions since the farm system is weak and trading away elite players would undermine any competitive effort for 2027.
Redleg NationComplete list of Reds 2026-27 free agents and their outlook
The Cincinnati Reds face an offseason with six impending free agents as a lockout looms following CBA negotiations set to begin after the World Series. Closer Emilio Pagán, 35, likely will exercise his $10 million player option for 2027, while infielder Eugenio Suárez's $16 million mutual option is expected to be declined by the team, though a cheaper reunion remains possible. Relief pitcher Pierce Johnson will enter free agency after the Reds decline his $8 million mutual option, and catcher Tyler Stephenson, the longest-tenured Reds player, appears headed to the open market. Reliever Brock Burke, one of the team's most dependable bullpen arms this season, should be a priority for re-signing but has no agreement in place yet.
Blog Red MachineElly De La Cruz homers again as the Reds shut out Atlanta
The Cincinnati Reds defeated the Atlanta Braves 4-0 behind three home runs and a combined shutout performance from their pitching staff. Elly De La Cruz homered in the third inning and finished 2-for-3 with two walks, while Dane Myers and Eugenio Suarez also went deep. Starter Brandon Williamson allowed no runs over six innings, and relievers Brock Burke and Tejay Antone kept Atlanta scoreless through the final three frames.
Redleg NationReds must figure out a new plan for Chase Burns against Cubs
Chase Burns will start Friday for the Reds against the Cubs in their final home series, marking his 29th start of the season. The Reds' plan to have Brandon Williamson follow Burns in relief will need adjustment after Williamson pitched two innings Thursday against the Dodgers. Cincinnati's bullpen is depleted from the series loss to Los Angeles, with several relievers unavailable or having pitched heavily in recent days, though Brock Burke remains fresh. Manager Terry Francona indicated the team is still determining how to structure the pitching plan for Friday's game.
Blog Red Machine6 extensions the Reds should prioritize ahead of the MLB lockout
With a potential lockout expected on December 1, the Cincinnati Reds should prioritize signing several players to extensions before negotiations between owners and the players' union halt. The article identifies six targets: Elly De La Cruz, though agent Scott Boras previously rejected extension talks; Sal Stewart, the likely 2026 NL Rookie of the Year; catcher Tyler Stephenson before free agency; starting pitcher Brady Singer, with Hunter Greene expected to miss 2027 following Tommy John surgery; relief pitcher Brock Burke, the team's only remaining left-handed reliever; and veteran infielder Eugenio Suárez, who has performed well since the All-Star break.
Blog Red MachineSam Moll's departure makes one Reds decision all too obvious
The Cincinnati Reds designated left-handed reliever Sam Moll for assignment to make room for Graham Ashcraft's return from the injured list, and Moll subsequently cleared waivers and elected free agency. Moll posted a 4.79 ERA with a problematic 11.7% walk rate across 65 appearances this season. With Moll's departure, Brock Burke becomes the Reds' only left-handed reliever, making him a priority to retain before free agency in November given his strong 2.50 ERA and 71 appearances this season.
Blog Red MachineCincinnati Reds rally in the 8th inning to beat the Padres
The Cincinnati Reds defeated the San Diego Padres 4-3 on Tuesday, with the decisive runs coming in the eighth inning when Jose Trevino drove in Elly De La Cruz with an RBI single and Juan Brito followed with a sacrifice fly. The Reds trailed at multiple points but matched San Diego's scoring throughout the game, with Fernando Tatis Jr. hitting a two-run homer in the ninth that made the final score closer than it appeared. Burke earned the win while Morejon took the loss, and Emilio Pagan recorded his second consecutive save despite allowing a run. The victory evened the series at one game apiece.
Redleg NationReds' trade deadline strategy looks worse after brutal insider report
MLB insider Robert Murray reported that other league executives were confused and critical of the Cincinnati Reds' trade deadline approach, calling it "the most confusing by far." Murray specifically cited the team's asking price for catcher Tyler Stephenson as unreasonably high, noting that other teams openly mocked the Reds for their valuation. The Reds also failed to trade pitcher Brady Singer and reliever Brock Burke despite the market reportedly seeking such players, leading Murray to conclude the deadline strategy was a significant mistake.
Blog Red MachineNL Wild Card standings make Reds' trade deadline misfire look even worse
The Cincinnati Reds have lost seven of their last ten games and now sit at 62-69, more than five games behind the final Wild Card spot held by the San Diego Padres. General Manager Nick Krall chose not to trade expiring players like Tyler Stephenson, Pierce Johnson, Brady Singer, Brock Burke, and Eugenio Suárez at the August 3 deadline, instead making only minor moves involving Nathaniel Lowe and Caleb Ferguson. The team's playoff odds have dropped below 1 percent, and the decision to hold onto those rentals rather than acquire prospects to strengthen the farm system now appears particularly costly given Cincinnati's recent collapse.
Blog Red Machine7 Reds who are playing their way out of the team's 2027 plans
With about a month remaining in the 2026 season, several Cincinnati Reds players are underperforming and facing potential roster changes. Outfielder TJ Friedl, once a fan favorite and playoff contributor, has declined significantly this year and may not be retained due to arbitration costs. Third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes provides elite defense but has struggled offensively while carrying a $25 million contract through 2029, creating a difficult decision for the organization. Relief pitcher Sam Moll performed well early in the season but has been unreliable since the All-Star break, and his future may depend on the team's plans for free agent Brock Burke. Prospect Michael Toglia was recently called up but has not translated his Triple-A success to the majors and faces likely release after the season since he has exhausted his minor-league options. Shortstop Noelvi Marte continues to underperform relative to expectations, with manager Terry Francona having criticized his work ethic.
Blog Red MachineReds can't afford to lose this bullpen weapon nobody saw coming
Brock Burke arrived in Cincinnati as an afterthought in a three-team trade but has emerged as the Reds' most reliable relief pitcher, posting a 2.73 ERA over 56 innings with a .032 batting average against in high-leverage situations. The hard-throwing left-hander, who previously struggled as a starter and with the Rangers before finding success with the Angels, has become manager Terry Francona's go-to option out of the bullpen. With the Reds' relief corps ranking 25th in ERA at 4.42, retaining Burke alongside Tejay Antone and Emilio Pagan would form a strong foundation for the team's bullpen heading into 2027.
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