Sean Doolittle is joining the Cincinnati Reds, officially ending his time with the Washington Nationals. The left-handed reliever is inking a one-year deal with the Reds worth $1.5 million, according to Jon Morosi of MLB Network.
Doolittle expressed his wants to return to the Nationals, and according to the Washington Post’s Jesse Dougherty Washington and Doolittle had “some early talks” but the Nationals were set to move on. Meanwhile, the Reds were interested from the start of free agency and pursued him.
His chances of returning to Washington greatly diminished when the Nationals landed lefty reliever Brad Hand on a one-year deal.
Doolittle arrived to Washington in July 2017 in a trade from the Oakland Athletics. His addition was a perfect mesh on and off the field. He embraced DC, it’s where he got married. DC embraced him with his outreach in the community, including countless charity and support of the LGBTQ community.
On the field, he produced, solidifying the closer role with 21 saves in 22 opportunities in 2017. He stormed through a great start in 2018 going 22-of-23 in save opportunities before he landed on the injured list with toe inflammation. Still, he earned his second All-Star Game nod.
In 2019, he rallied the Nationals in 63 appearances, collecting 29 saves. While he had his fair share of hiccups, he finished an NL-most 55 games. Doolittle was one of the two true bullpen arms manager Davey Martinez relied on during the Nationals’ magic postseason run. Doolittle finished four of the Nationals 12 wins to claim the club’s first World Series title.
However, much like for everyone else, 2020 didn’t go as plan for Doolittle not even in pandemic-shortened season. Two stints on the injured list limited him to 11 appearances in the 60-game schedule. His season was abruptly ended early due to an oblique injury, spelling a soured end to his time in Washington.
Despite, the letdown ending, Sean Doolittle accomplish a lot in four seasons with the Nationals. No matter how his career pans out, he will forever be linked to the Nationals and their 2019 World Series run.
He appeared in 147 games in four seasons with the Nationals. Doolittle posted a 3.03 ERA with a 1.037 WHIP. He finished 121 games while collecting 75 saves. Oh, and he won a World Series ring. With his oblique healed, he now looks to regain his steam with Cincinnati.
