The Reds might miss some of these players more than you think.

Washington Nationals infielder Nick Senzel / Rich Storry/GettyImages

This summer, there has been some turnover on the Cincinnati Reds squad. Cincinnati spent more than $100 million in the free agent market to help develop a contender, but they also lost one of the best players to ever don a Reds uniform.

The Reds are hoping to make a big impact in 2024 and return to the postseason for the first time since 2020, following an unexpected run in 2023. The Reds will miss some of those guys who are no longer on the roster, even though Cincinnati should be able to build on its success from the previous season with the addition of the new players and the youthful core.

Though some players will be missed, the Reds fan base will be relieved to see some players off the squad coming into the next season.

3 Reds players we’ll be glad are gone in 2024 and 2 we wish stayed

The Reds will be glad to be rid of the injury-plagued Justin Dunn

Justin Dunn was more than just a “throw in” when the Cincinnati Reds traded for the Seattle Mariners ahead of the 2022 season. The Mariners received Dunn, Jake Fraley, Brandon Williamson, and a player to be named later (Connor Phillips) from the Reds in exchange for Jesse Winker and Eugenio Suarez.

Dunn was a former first-round selection, and while he missed the second half of the 2021 season due to a shoulder injury sustained halfway through, it was anticipated that the right-hander would be in the Reds rotation in 2022.

That was never realized. Dunn did not play for the Reds this past season, although he did start a few games for them in 2022. In October, the Reds decided to remove Dunn from the 40-man roster completely. Dunn chose free agency over accepting a Triple-A assignment, and he is still looking for a deal.

Reds supporters won’t miss Dunn’s presence on the team, but it’s difficult to miss something you never truly had. Lyon Richardson, Carson Spiers, and Phillips are the next in line to take Dunn’s place, which he never did in Cincinnati.

The Reds will miss Ben Lively

The Cincinnati Reds’ decision to remove Ben Lively from the 40-man roster outright and their lack of effort to re-sign the fiery right-hander to a minor-league contract still surprises us. And once Lively signed a contract with the Cleveland Guardians, the Reds’ attempts to get him back to the Queen City were unsuccessful.

Although Lively will never be a front-line starter, it was thought that the Reds would almost certainly maintain a veteran, cheap pitcher like Lively in the rotation given the array of injuries that befell the team in 2023. The Reds front office, as it turned out, had different ideas.

All of this is not to suggest that Cincinnati is equipped for the 2024 campaign. The Reds roster has been replenished with both quality and quantity thanks to the efforts of President of Baseball Operations Nick Krall and his staff. But Lively appeared to be a perfect match for the group.

Prior to 2022, Lively inked a minor-league contract with the Reds following his success abroad in 2021. The veteran earned a return trip to the major leagues last season after playing the entire season in Triple-A. Lively was a starter as well as a reliever, and his stat line would have looked much better if it weren’t for one poor performance.

This was a strange move, especially considering when it was made. If the Reds had determined that Ben Lively was no longer required following a few offseason additions, then fine. However, it seemed wrong to let him depart before the start of free agency. Hopefully, the Reds won’t pay for it in 2024.

The Reds were wise to non-tender Nick Senzel

The Cincinnati Reds won’t be missing Nick Senzel in the upcoming season, although this is sure to stir up some controversy. Senzel was never able to live up to the expectations placed on him as a high prospect and previous first-round pick, but the Reds did not help him either. Earlier this winter, Senzel agreed to a one-year contract with the Washington Nationals.

Before Senzel made his major league debut, the Reds tried to convert him from third baseman to outfielder after he was drafted. The rest is history as Senzel’s health declined.

During the previous season, there was noticeable resentment and hurt sentiments. Senzel was reduced to playing platoon ball because the Reds farm system produced so many brilliant young players. Even though he was successful in that capacity, it wasn’t one he truly welcomed or anticipated.

Senzel’s option to Triple-A last summer brought the Reds’ entire relationship to a breaking point. Senzel was slow to report to Louisville and was later overshadowed by other players when injuries devastated the Reds team. Finally, Cincinnati called up the former University of Tennessee player, and Senzel played with the Reds until the end of the season.

Senzel’s bat against left-handed pitching may be missed by Cincinnati, but it also allows the Reds to provide other young players with the same opportunities. A player like Blake Dunn or Jacob Hurtubise will have more opportunities because of Senzel’s absence, and the 28-year-old’s new home in Washington, D.C., gives him another opportunity to prove his abilities. This split was mutually beneficial.

The Reds will regret letting Vladimir Gutierrez go

It was strange enough that Ben Lively was given the opportunity to test free agency, but the Cincinnati Reds seemed to be taking a step backward by signing Vladimir Gutierrez as well. When the Reds signed Gutierrez as an international free agent all those years ago, they paid a high price.

Despite having a fantastic debut season, Gutierrez collapsed in 2022. In 2022, Gutierrez moved to the bullpen; however, an elbow issue sent him to the injured list. After undergoing Tommy John surgery, Gutierrez was sidelined for the whole previous season while he recovered.

This spring, Gutierrez would have probably faced some formidable opposition. Young pitchers hoping to make a name for themselves and eventually earn a spot in the Reds rotation include Chase Petty, Connor Phillips, and Andrew Abbott.

However, it is impossible to overlook the importance of having seasoned pitchers who can fill in as starters and relievers, as was the case with Lively noted above. You can never have too many arms, even though the Reds have confidence in a few of its young pitchers.

According to reports, Gutierrez inked a minor league contract with the Miami Marlins. His 2024 performance will be crucial in determining whether the Reds were wrong to let him leave.

Though it may sting, the Reds were right to bid farewell to Joey Votto

Among the best players in Cincinnati Reds history is Joey Votto. Votto will go down as one of the all-time greats in Reds history, despite the fact that he has been very divisive over the last few seasons due to his failure to live up to the expectations that come with such a big contract.

Nevertheless, there’s no justification for bringing Votto back to Cincinnati for a farewell tour. To be honest, there wasn’t a greater way for him to play his final game at Great American Ball Park in front of his home crowd.

However, Votto is not a fit for the Reds’ current squad. Jonathan India is struggling to fit in as well. Whether it’s age or injury, Votto’s play has gotten worse over the last few seasons. Votto wasn’t worth the $20 million team option, and he wasn’t going to find a daily opportunity in Cincinnati if he really wanted one.

For everyone preaching about how important Votto’s guidance and experienced leadership are, remember that good things eventually come to an end. This summer, the Reds added a number of veterans, and players like Tyler Stephenson and India are primed to lead the clubhouse in the future.

When Opening Day arrives and No. 19 isn’t on the field, it will hurt a little. However, the Cincinnati Reds’ finest days are still ahead of them, and Joey Votto’s best days are behind him. The Reds will be a stronger team in 2024 because they made the right choice in allowing Votto go.