3 free agents, not named Tucker Barnhart, that could back up Reds' catcher Tyler Stephenson in 2023

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An overwhelming majority of Reds Country would love to see a reunion between the Cincinnati Reds and former catcher Tucker Barnhart. Barnhart was traded to the Detroit Tigers last offseason but will be a free agent in a few weeks.

It makes sense, right? Barnhart is coming off a down-year, he lives in the tri-state area, and the Reds are need of a backup catcher to starter Tyler Stephenson. The pieces fit. But it takes two to tango. Just because the Reds may have interest in re-signing Barnhart, will the two-time Gold Glove Award-winner feel the same way?

While most of the Cincinnati faithful are hopeful for a reunion with the veteran backstop, the bottom line is that the Reds will have to find a veteran catcher in free agency. What three free agent catchers, not named Tucker Barnhart, could find their way onto the Cincinnati Reds roster in 2023?

1. The Reds could re-sign free agent catcher Austin Romine.

Let's begin with perhaps the most obvious choice. Austin Romine was brought to the Cincinnati Reds in early-August to help offset the loss of the injured Tyler Stephenson. While Romine's bat is nothing to write home about, he worked very well with a young Reds pitching staff.

As the end of the season drew closer, fans began to see Romine consistently getting time when the young trio of Hunter Greene, Nick Lodolo, and Graham Ashcraft were on the mound. Rookie catcher Chuckie Robinson would get the start when either Chase Anderson or Luis Cessa were on the mound.

The young Reds pitchers heaped praise onto Romine for his ability to call a good game behind the plate. While the veteran hit just .155/.187/.248 in 2022, his leadership and intangibles were felt throughout the pitching staff and the clubhouse.

Austin Romine would come cheap, and that's typically music to Bob Castellini's ears. A career OPS of just .616 isn't going to excite many Reds fans, but re-signing Romine could go a long way in the continued development of a young Cincinnati pitching staff.

2. The Reds could go after Guardians' catcher Austin Hedges.

Another veteran catcher, not named Tucker Barnhart, who'll be a free agent this offseason is Cleveland Guardians' backstop Austin Hedges. Fresh off an American League Central Division Championship, Hedges abilities could be highly coveted during the offseason.

Hedges, much like Austin Romine, is more revered for his ability to work with the pitching staff than his abilities at the plate. Hedges hit just .163/.241/.248 in 2022. However, with the addition of the designated hitter to the National League, managers are able to stomach a light-hitting catcher so long as he brings other attributes to the table.

Hedges appeared in 105 games for Cleveland in 2022; the most he's played in a season since 2107 with the San Diego Padres. The 30-year-old signed a one-year/$4M contract with the Guardians last season, so you'd have to imagine that he'd be looking for a similar deal in 2023.

Given that the Cincinnati Reds only have the combined $43M salary of Joey Votto and Mike Moustakas on the books for next season, the club has more than enough funds available in order to sign Hedges in free agency.

The Cleveland Guardians were the youngest team in baseball this past season, and Austin Hedges worked with young pitchers like Triston McKenzie, Shane Bieber, and Cal Quantril. The Guardians had the fourth-lowest ERA among AL clubs in 2022, and some of that success has to be attributed to Hedges' handling of the young pitching staff.

3. The Reds could reunite with former catcher Curt Casali.

If the Cincinnati Reds and former catcher Tucker Barnhart are unable to come to terms on a free agent contract, perhaps another former catcher would return to the Queen City. Curt Casali, who played for the Reds from 2018-2020 is also a free agent this offseason.

While many fans fondly remember Barnhart's time in Cincinnati, Casali had his moments as well. In fact, there were many who felt as though it was in the Reds best interest to keep three catchers heading into the 2021 season.

But the Reds front office decided against that idea, choosing instead to roll with the catching duo or Tucker Barnhart and Tyler Stephenson in 2021, and the club non-tendered Casali in December of 2020. Casali quickly latched on with the San Francisco Giants that offseason.

Casali signed a $2.6M contract with San Fran this past season, but was traded along with pitcher Matt Boyd to the Seattle Mariners in August. Casali hit .203/.318/.331 last season, and much like Austin Romine and Austin Hedges, the 33-year-old is much more well-regarded for his ability behind the plate than he is in the batters' box.

A reunion with Curt Casali seems a little less likely than a reunion with Tucker Barnhart, but for the right price, the Cincinnati Reds could surely entice the veteran to return. Free agency opens shortly after the World Series ends in early-November.

dark. Next. Predicting the Reds 2022-23 offseason roster

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