Most free agents don’t enter the open market until after the World Series concludes, but on Friday, a Cincinnati Reds pitcher got a head start.
Seven-year veteran reliever Ian Gibaut, who pitched 134 times for the Reds over the last four years, fell out of favor after two injury-plagued years and an ineffective return to action this year. He was sent to the injured list this season with a right shoulder impingement on June 30, and never returned to make another major league appearance.
After clearing waivers and being outrighted to Triple-A Louisville earlier this week, Gibaut’s next step was somewhat inevitable. Now, it’s official: He’s no longer a member of the Reds organization.
On Friday, Gibaut elected minor-league free agency, according to the transactions log on his official roster page. Though there’s no guarantee he finds his next gig quickly, he’s allowed to start talking to teams immediately, as opposed to the players who remained on 40-man rosters through the end of the Fall Classic.
Gibaut, 31, was one of the Reds’ most trusted relievers in 2023, making 74 appearances and pitching to a solid 3.33 ERA. Things began heading south a year ago, when a forearm strain suffered in late March put him on the injured list for nearly the entire season, as he came back to make two appearances in September.
In his seven-year career, Gibaut has also pitched for the Tampa Bay Rays, Texas Rangers, Minnesota Twins, and Cleveland Guardians.
Last winter, Gibaut went through this exact same process and re-signed with the Reds, so it’s plausible his time with the organization is not yet done. But he’ll be looking for a minor-league deal this winter, and if another team promises him a better opportunity to crack the opening day roster, he’ll assuredly take it.
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