3 Reds who are playing their way out of the team's 2024 plans

While the 2023 season was supposed to be all about the rebuild in the Queen City, the Cincinnati Reds are ahead of schedule. The Redlegs have pieced together a fine showing thus far and are in the hunt for a playoff spot over the final few weeks of the 2023 campaign.

But how the final month-plus of the season ends could have a giant impact on how several players may be viewed entering the offseason or spring training.

Despite their best efforts, some players who were ticketed to be part of the Reds plans in 2024 may have well played their way off the roster. Are there three players whose performance down the stretch may factor into Cincinnati's decision about whether or not to bring them back next season?

1. Nick Senzel may have played his way out of the Reds' 2024 plans.

It may seem as though everyone is ganging up on Nick Senzel, but this is just where the former first-round pick finds himself at the moment. Senzel was optioned to Triple-A Louisville last week, and appeared to take his entire 72-hour window to report. That's not a very positive sign.

Senzel, along with fellow infielder Kevin Newman, have played a very specific role for Reds manager David Bell this season. Senzel has been utilized primarily as a platoon bat against left-handed pitching in 2023 and has played all over the field as well.

Prior to the MLB trade deadline, Senzel met with Reds management to discuss his diminshed role with the team. After that meeting, Senzel started seven of the next eight games and went 4-for-30 (.138). If you're going to advocate for more playing time, you've got to go out and prove why you deserve it. Senzel didnt' do that.

The Cincinnati Reds have plenty of young players who'll be ready to take Nick Senzel's spot on the team in 2024 if the two sides do part ways. At this point, it seems unlikely that fans will see Senzel in Reds uniform next year. Senzel has played his way out of the Reds' plans for 2024.

2. Curt Casali may have played his way out of the Reds' 2024 plans.

This one isn't as cut and dry as Nick Senzel, but will the Cincinnati Reds really look to bring back Curt Casali in 2024. The catcher has provided plenty of veteran leadership in the clubhouse and well respected by his teammates and the coaching staff.

But, is that enough to justify paying $2.5-million for a backup catcher with Luke Maile entering free agency this offseason? The Reds maintain a club-option for Casali's services next season, but Maile's contract is up after the World Series.

Casali was essentially Hunter Greene's personal catcher earlier this season, but with the flamethrower on the IL, Casali's time behind the dish was drastically reduced. Currently on the IL himself, Casali is on a rehab assignment and looking to return to the active roster very soon.

If the Reds pick up Casali's $2.5-million option, they're basically committing to carrying three catchers again next season. David Bell did a fine job of navigating that for the first several months of the 2023 season, but it's going to be hard to justify doing so once again in 2024.

It wouldn't come as a shock to see Curt Casali return in 2024. Casali's 3 defensive runs saved is second on the team according to Fielding Bible, so there is some merit to brining the soon-to-be 35-year-old back next season. But carrying a player with an OPS below .500 is a tough sell.