Fans may have seen Joey Votto play his final game for the Cincinnati Reds on Sunday when he was ejected after the first inning in St. Louis. Votto is in the last guaranteed year of the 10-year contract extension he signed in 2012.
However, Votto might not be the only notable player missing from the Reds’ roster in 2024. Several players could potentially be moving on as the team makes offseason decisions. Here are five players, aside from Votto, who may not return next season:
1. Connor Overton : The Reds pitcher, who is recovering from Tommy John surgery, might not be back in 2024. With an influx of young pitching talent, it’s uncertain if the Reds will retain Overton. The 30-year-old had a promising start in 2022 but struggled with injuries and performance issues in his brief appearances this season. Given his current situation and the Reds’ need to utilize roster spots for emerging prospects or free agents, Overton could be non-tendered and potentially re-signed on a minor league deal.
2. Curt Casali : The Reds catcher may not return in 2024. Casali was signed to be part of the Reds’ catching rotation this season after spending the previous two years with the San Francisco Giants and Seattle Mariners. However, he has been largely absent from the lineup for nearly two months due to a setback during a Triple-A rehab assignment, and there has been little recent update on his condition.
Given that the Reds are unlikely to carry three catchers on their Opening Day roster next year, and with the challenges it posed this season, it seems improbable they will exercise Casali’s $2.5 million mutual option for 2024. Manager David Bell managed to make it work, but it complicated things unnecessarily. The team had to evaluate Tyler Stephenson’s durability as the everyday catcher, who handled more than 75 games and over 700 innings behind the plate. Given the situation, it’s hard to envision the Reds retaining Casali for the upcoming season.
3. Jonathan India : The Reds infielder might not be with the team in 2024. India’s name has been floated as a potential trade candidate since the last trade deadline. There are arguments for both trading him and keeping him, making the situation complex.
While I was previously opposed to trading India due to the presence of young infielders, seeing the talent of Noelvi Marte, Elly De La Cruz, Christian Encarnacion-Strand, and Matt McLain has made me reconsider. The Reds can only accommodate so many players in the everyday lineup, and we saw the challenges this season with Marte, Encarnacion-Strand, Steer, and De La Cruz all vying for spots.
India has been a key leader for the Reds this season, taking on a significant role both on and off the field. His leadership and presence have been invaluable, but it’s worth noting that he’s not irreplaceable. Given the depth and potential of the young infielders, don’t be surprised if Jonathan India is playing for a different team in 2024.