2 Reds players who will be non-tendered before the deadline and 2 who will survive

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The non-tender deadline is today, and the Cincinnati Reds have some decisions to make. There are a few players who could be non-tendered and others who might escape by the skin of their teeth.

There are varying reasons why players are non-tendered - salary commitments, roster space, underperfoamnce, etc. All of these factors could come in to play later today when the Reds make some difficult choices.

Some decisions will likely be easier than others, but let's look at two players will be non-tendered before today's deadline and two who will live to fight another day. MLB Trade rumors will be utilized for the purpose of estimated arbitration figures.

Reds RHP Derek Law will be non-tendered

There is reason to believe that the Cincinnati Reds could retain Derek Law's services in 2024. With an estimated $1.4-million salary for next season, the Reds could easily decide to keep the right-hander around in the bullpen.

But Cincinnati has a ton of right-handed depth in the bullpen. In addition to the likes of Lucas Sims, Alexis Diaz, Fernando Cruz, and Ian Gibaut, the Reds also have young pitchers like Casey Legumina, Lyon Richardson, and Carson Spiers - all of whom showed flashes in 2023.

If Derek Law is retained next season, those aforementioned relief arms will be relegated to Triple-A. Law, having no minor league options remaining, would have to remain on the active roster the entire 2024 season.

There are also better relievers available in free agency this winter. If Cincinnati is looking to fill Law's spot in the bullpen, a number of pitchers could be had for a bit more than what Law is estimated to take home next season.

Law did work from time to time as a opener for the Reds, but if needed, players like Cruz and Tejay Antone could fill that role moving forward. Look for Law to be non-tendered later today.

Reds OF Nick Martini will survive the non-tender deadline

Nick Martini will be a name to watch at the non-tender deadline, and one could make that case that removing the left-handed hitting outfielder from the 40-man roster would be the most prudent move. But is it really necessary?

Martini is still pre-arbitration eligible, so there's no financial incentive to cut ties with the former Chicago Cub. The Reds roster also lacks veteran leadership, and Martini was said to be well liked in the clubhouse last season. In his 71 at-bats, Martini had 19 hits, 10 of which went for extra bases.

If there's a player who had more clutch hits than Martini a year ago, I'd like to see him. The former second-round pick had two huge home runs during the month of September that helped to keep the Reds in the playoff race until the final week of the season.

Martini also showed that he can play first base. With Tyler Stephenson back behind the plate, and Spencer Steer likely to see more time in left field next season, having a left-handed bat that can sub in for Christian Encarnacion-Strand if necessary is quite the benefit.

Nick Martini also has minor league option available. While it's quite possible the Reds could float Martini on the roster until a better option comes along, there's no rush to sever ties at today's non-tender deadline.

Reds IF/OF Nick Senzel will be non-tendered

As the deadline draws near, it appears as though Reds fans will be saying goodbye to the team's 2016 first-round pick. Nick Senzel, who's ended three of his five seasons on the injured list, has been rumored to be on chopping block for weeks.

Things have always been a bit tense when it comes to the relationship between the Reds and Senzel. But this last season saw things come to a boil when Cincinnati made the decision to option Senzel to Triple-A.

The club then began to endure several injuries after sending Senzel down, but players like the aforementioned Nick Martini and Henry Ramos were getting called up in his place. Senzel eventually returned and played quite well over the final month of the season.

Senzel brings great versatility to the Cincinnati Reds lineup and posted a terrific slash line against left-handed pitchers in 2023. But after discussing his part-time role with the Reds management ahead of last year's trade deadline, one can surmise that there is definitely friction between the two sides.

At this point, the best thing for both parties would be to split up. Given their roster depth, the Cincinnati Reds can weather the loss of Nick Senzel, and the former No. 2 overall pick could use a fresh start. Senzel is also estimated to earn $3.0-million through arbitration this offseason.

Reds LHP Alex Young will survive the non-tender deadline

Some will look at Alex Young's performance last season and assume that he's a shoo-in to remain with the club heading into 2024. Others, however, will see some disturbing stats that may see Young as a prime candidate to be non-tendered before the deadline.

The most odd stat when it comes to Young are his reverse splits. Young performed better against right-handed batters than he did against lseft-handed batters. That's not necessarily what you want from a lefty coming out of the bullpen.

The southpaw allowed an OPS-against of .767 against left-handed hitters and .731 against right-handed hitters. But it was the batting average-against that jumps out at you. Young allowed left-handed batters to hit .272 with a BAbip of .347.

Young is projected to make just $1.7-million through arbitration and has a minor-league option remaining. Both the salary and the roster flexibility work in the Reds' favor. With Reiver Sanmartin out to begin next season following Tommy John surgery, Alex Young is a solid arm to keep on the roster.

There are other names to keep an eye on. Jose Barrero could be non-tendered if the Reds are need of a roster spot. But the shortstop is still pre-arbitration eligible. Others to watch are TJ Hopkins, Bubba Thompson, and even Levi Stoudt could all be non-tendered later today.

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