Cincinnati Reds Non-Tender Candidates: The Pitchers (Part 2)

The Cincinnati Reds have to make a decision about non-tender contracts for the 2023 season after the World Series. The players currently on the 40-man roster will no longer count towards the roster after World series. Free agents will drop off, but the Reds will need to create roster spots to add prospects near the end of November to protect them from the Rule 5 draft.

Fernando Cruz is a 32-year-old pitcher who made his big league debut at 32. He was drafted as a shortstop in 2007, transitioned to the mound in 2011, and didn't pitch in affiliated baseball from 2016-2021. Cruz has three options and will make the league minimum salary if he remains with the club.

Kyle Dowdy is a non-tender candidate for the Cincinnati Reds. He will make the league minimum salary next season if he's in the big leagues. Dowd played in two games for Cincinnati this year, both in September.

Buck Farmer is arbitration eligible and he's out of options. He threw 47.0 innings for the Reds this past season with a 3.83 ERA. Farmer will be a free agent following the 2023 season unless he signs a deal longer than one season and avoids arbitration. MLB Trade Rumors projects that he will get a raise that basically doubles the amount of money he'll be paid next season.

Ian Gibaut was picked up on waivers by the Reds in July from the Dodgers. He posted a 4.67 ERA and walked 18 batters in 34.2 innings with the team. Gibauts struck out 48 of 154 batters he faced and allowed just three home runs. The 29-year-old is out of options and will be paid the league minimum.

Buck Farmer and Fernando Cruz will remain on the 40-man roster. Kyle Dowdy is more likely to be non-tendered. Ian Gibaut and Derek Fisher are also nonigible.  Cincinnati Reds Non-Tender Candidates: The Pitchers (Part 2).

Cincinnati Reds Non-Tender Candidates: The Pitchers (Part 2)