Rather than optioning Casey Legumina, the Reds should have released this player

The Cincinnati Reds had to make a roster move on Wednesday. After calling up Levi Stoudt to be the team's starter on Wednesday afternoon, the Reds made the decision to option Casey Legumina back to Triple-A Louisville.

It's not uncommon to see these types of transactions to take place. The Reds are essentially trying to preserve as many roster spots as they can. Seeing as how Legumina, Fernando Cruz, Reiver Sanmartin, and Alex Young are the only relievers with minor-league options remaining, one was bound to go

Hopefully, the Reds come to their senses, allow Stoudt to make more than just a spot start, and shift Luis Cessa to the bullpen. While moving Legumina back to the minors isn't the worst move, the team should just release Derek Law.

Rather than optioning Casey Legumina, the Reds should have released Derek Law.

Casey Legumina was traded to the Cincinnati Reds during the offseason in exchange for Kyle Farmer. He was added to the Minnesota Twins 40-man roster last fall and began the 2023 season at Triple-A Louisville.

Legumina's fastball is lauded for its movement, and after posting a 1.72 ERA in 5.2 innings of work with the Louisville Bats, the right-hander was added to the Reds roster. In two games, Legumina logged 4.1 innings and struck out four batters. His only blemish was a home run to the Rays during his last appearance. Legumina returns to Louisville after posting a 2.08 ERA in the bigs.

But why are the Reds just prolonging the inevitable? There are two pitchers, with Derek Law being one of them, who aren't long for the Cincinnati Reds roster. The other is Buck Farmer. However, unlike Legumina, Law and Farmer are out of minor-league options.

With Casey Legumina returning to Triple-A, the Reds must now wait 15 days before he can return to the roster. Of course, there's an exemption should an injury occur, but that's beside the point. Legumina did everything asked of him and was rewarded with a trip back to the minor leagues.

From an organizational standpoint, it's somewhat understandable. But the time is coming when players like Derek Law, Buck Farmer, Joel Kuhnel, and even Connor Overton will lose their 40-man roster spot to some of these up-and-coming young players.