Joey Votto's club-option isn't the only one the Reds will decline this offseason

The Cincinnati Reds have just one player under contract for the 2024 season. Do you know who it is? I'll give you a hint; he signed a contract extension this past April.

That's right, starting pitcher Hunter Greene is the only player currently on the Reds roster who's on a guaranteed contract for next season. Greene inked a six-year/$53-million contract earlier this year.

It was reported earlier this week that the Reds have no interest exercising Joey Votto's $20-million team-option. Though neither party has indicated that reworking the current deal is off the table. But there's another Reds player, in addition to Votto, who won't have his option picked up this offseason.

Joey Votto's club-option isn't the only one the Reds will decline this offseason

Curt Casali was signed a to one-year contract this past offseason. Casali, along with Luke Maile, were brought in to help balnce the workload behind the plate.

After watching Tyler Stephenson play just 50 games in 2022 and seeing seven different backstops log innings behind the dish, there was no way Nick Krall was going to let that happen again.

But Casali has played in just 40 games this season with only 27 starts behind the plate and has been on the injured list since July 24th with a foot contusion. Casali began a rehab assignment last month, but it was halted after the veteran suffered an illness.

Curt Casali has a $2.5-million mutual-option for next season. What does that mean? Essentially, both the Reds and Casali have to agree to those terms in order for the soon-to-be 35-year-old to return in 2024. The contract also contains a $750,000 buyout.

Now, with that in mind, the Reds have a $1.75-million decision to make when it comes to Casali. That's the same salary that Luke Maile signed for this past winter. It's hard to see the Reds bringing back both Maile and Casali next season.

While Curt Casali is a great clubhouse presence, he's brought very little to the Reds on the field this season. Casali is a great leader and a great defensive catcher, but at 35 years old and hitting .175, the Reds a likely to look elsewhere.