Reliever Buck Farmer returns to Cincinnati Reds on $2.25 million, one-year contract
One of the big workhorses in the Cincinnati Reds' Clydesdale of a bullpen last season has returned as a free agent on a one-year deal.
Right-hander Buck Farmer, whose 71 appearances tied for fifth with teammate Alexis Diaz in the National League, signed a $2.25 million deal for 2024, a raise of $500,000 over his 2023 salary.
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Farmer, who will be 33 when the season opens, had a 4.20 ERA with a 4-5 record and three saves across 75 innings last season – after producing a 3.83 ERA in 44 appearances in 2022, when the Reds originally acquired him as a free agent in May.
His signing this week means the 2023 Reds bullpen returns almost intact after logging the second-highest innings total (652 1/3) in the National League with a 4.11 group ERA and top-five NL fWAR of 5.9.
In addition to Diaz and Farmer, Ian Gibaut, whose 74 appearances were just one off the league lead, also is back.
Outfielder Bubba Thompson was designated for assignment by the Reds to make room on the 40-man roster for Farmer.
Thompson was claimed off waivers from the Kansas City Royals by the Reds in October.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati Reds bring back reliever Buck Farmer on one-year deal
