3 Reds players who won't be non-tendered, but will eventually lose their roster spot

The non-tender deadline represents an opportunity for teams to sever ties with players on the 40-man roster rather than offering them a contract for the 2024 season.

While some players are non-tendered due to poor performance or a roster crunch, more times than not it comes down to money. That's the biggest reason Reds fans will likely seen Nick Senzel non-tendered later today.

There are those fringe-players who will retain their roster spot, but will undoubtedly be on thin-ice as the offseason continues to unfold. Which three Cincinnati Reds players won't be non-tendered today, but eventually lose their offseason roster spot?

1. Reds OF Bubba Thompson will have a hard time holding on to his roster spot

Bubba Thompson, we hardly knew ye. Thompson was added to the Cincinnati Reds roster this offseason after being designated for assignment. While it's unlikely the Reds will non-tender Thompson today, his roster spot is anything but secure.

Thompson provides a ton of speed. According to Baseball Savant, the 25-year-old was in the same category as Elly De La Cruz when it comes to sprint speed. Thompson averaged over 30.4 feet per second on the base paths.

But getting on base has been a problem for Thompson. In 241 career plate appearances in the majors, Thompson's posted an on-base percentage below .300. There's also very little power in his bat, as evidence by his .305 career-slugging percentage.

The Cincinnati Reds outfield is filled with a bevy of role players. Stuart Fairchild, Jake Fraley, TJ Hopkins, and Will Benson all have speed, and a better bat than Bubba Thompson.

It's very likely that Thompson makes it past the non-tender deadline, and could very well wind up in Goodyear this spring. But don't be shocked if a few trades or free agent signings require Thompson to give up his spot on the Reds 40-man roster.

2. Reds RHP Levi Stoudt hasn't done enough to keep his roster spot

Levi Stoudt was part of the Cincinnati Reds 2022 trade that sent Luis Castillo to the Seattle Mariners. In addition to Stoudt, the Reds also landed Noelvi Marte, Edwin Arroyo, and Andrew Moore.

Stoudt was hardly a "throw-in". A former third-round pick of the Mariners back in 2019, Stoudt was in the mix to be part of the Reds 2023 Opening Day starting rotation. But a tough spring training saw the right-hander begin his season in Triple-A.

Stoudt yo-yo'd between Triple-A and the big leagues last season, and the 25-year-old had mostly negative results. In four major league appearances, including two starts, Stoudt posted a miserable 9.58 ERA and 2.32 WHIP.

It's hardly fair to outright condemn Stoudt's performance based off little more than 10 innings of work. But his production in the minor leagues wasn't anything to write home about either.

According to FanGraphs, Levi Stoudt posted a 6.23 ERA and 7.40 FIP in 82.1 innings of work at Triple-A Louisville last season. Even worse, however, might be Stoudt's 13-percent walk-rate and 5.47 walks per nine innings.

Stoudt faces some stiff competition this spring in order to secure a spot in the Reds starting rotation, and is probably ticketed for a relief role going forward. But if the Cincinnati Reds add arms this offseason, Stoudt may lose his spot on the 40-man roster.