2 pending free agents the Reds need to re-sign and 1 they need to let walk

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The number of pending free agents currently on the Cincinnati Reds roster is not very long, as most of the roster is comprised of first and second-year players. But there are a few veterans in the Reds clubhouse, two of whom just arrived last week. Outfielders Harrison Bader and Hunter Renfroe were claimed off waivers on September.

Joey Votto is in the final guaranteed year of his 10-year contract extension, but the Reds maintain a $20-million club-option for the former MVP's services. Votto's contract also contains a $7-million buyout.

It seems a bit premature to determine whether or not Bader or Renfroe should return to the Reds next season, but there are a few others who've been with the team all season. Which two pending free agents do the Reds need to re-sign and which one do they need to let walk?

The Reds should re-sign pitcher Buck Farmer.

The Cincinnati Reds signed Buck Farmer to a minor league contract in 2022 and brought him back this season. It's fair to say that was a great decision on the part of the Reds' brass as the right-hander has been one of the most reliable arms out of the Cincinnati bullpen this season.

Farmer has appeared in over 60 games after making just 44 appearances a year ago. The veteran has filled almost every role imaginable. Farmer has been called upon in low-leverage and high-leverage situations and has even recorded two saves this season.

Outside of closer Alexis Diaz, not many fans knew what to make of the Cincinnati Reds bullpen before the start of the 2023 season, but thanks to pitchers like Farmer, Ian Gibaut, and Lucas Sims, it's become a strength of this year's team.

Outside of Gibaut, Sims, Diaz, Tejay Antone, and Fernando Cruz, it's anyone's guess who'll be part of the Reds bullpen in 2024. Farmer reliably throws strikes and keeps the ball in the ballpark. The right-hander should definitely be re-signed during the upcoming offseason.

The Reds should re-sign catcher Luke Maile.

Luke Maile was the first free agent the Cincinnati Reds signed a major-league deal this past offseason and he should be the first player they sign to a free agent contract this offseason as well. Maile has been a terrific addition to the Reds this season.

In an effort to help protect the oft-injured Tyler Stephenson from landing on the IL, the Reds had planned to use three catchers throughout the 2023 season. That plan fell by the wayside midway through the season when Stephenson operated mainly as the team's DH while Maile and Curt Casali took turns behind the plate.

But Casali landed on the IL earlier this summer and has yet to return to the Cincinnati lineup. That's forced the Reds to employ Stephenson behind the dish more often, but the duties have been fairly evenly split between Maile and the former first-round draft pick.

The Reds have virtually zero catching depth at the Triple-A level. Chuckie Robinson has played well this season and Jhonny Pereda is an interesting prospect, but neither player is equipped to be more than a backup catcher in the big leagues.

Luke Maile, a Kentucky native, grew up as a Reds fan and would likely love to return to his favorite team in 2024. This should be the easiest negotiation that Cincinnati Reds GM Nick Krall will have all winter. Maile has been a team leader all season and more than just a serviceable veteran backstop.

The Reds should let catcher Curt Casali walk.

This one's a little tough, because Curt Casali is a consummate professional. After spending three years in the Cincinnati Reds organization, Casali went on to play for the San Francisco Giants in 2021 and 2022, but was re-signed this past offseason. However, it's hard to see the Reds running it back with three catchers once again in 2024.

Those 40-man roster spots are very valuable, and without the ability to option Casali in the minor leagues, he's quite frankly taking up space. The Reds will looking to add some of their young prospects like Rece Hinds and Christian Roa to the roster during the offseason.

In the event that Cincinnati cannot come to terms with Luke Maile on a free agent contract, then keeping Casali is great backup plan. No, he doesn't offer as much in terms of offensive production, but Casali is the best defensive catcher on the team.

That said, it just doesn't make any sense to bring back a player with an OPS+ of 36 only to suit up once or twice per week. The Reds do maintain a mutual-option on Casali's contract for the 2024 season, but it's unlikely that they'd pick that up.

Tyler Stephenson's recent power-surge should help convince the Reds that keeping the former Georgia high school standout as their QB1 heading into next season is the right idea. The Reds could then re-sign Luke Maile and keep Chuckie Robinson stashed away in the minor leagues in order to maintain depth at the catcher's spot.

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