"The Reds enter the offseason likely to seek bullpen help and multiple upgrades within the lineup, but they won't have an especially lofty budget for achieving those goals. President of baseball operations Nick Krall said Tuesday that 2026's budget "will be around the same as our payroll from 2025" ( link via C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic). Cincinnati opened the 2025 season with a roughly $112MM payroll and finished around $116MM, per Cot's Contracts."
"Regardless, running back the same payroll gives the Reds a bit of spending power but not all that much. They're currently projected for a payroll around $91MM, per RosterResource. That's before option decisions on relievers Scott Barlow and Brent Suter. Barlow's $6.5MM option seems likely to be bought out. Suter is a bit more of a borderline call at $3MM but could still be cut loose (or re-signed to a restructured deal with lighter immediate payroll implications,"
"Cincinnati currently has just three players signed to guaranteed contracts for the 2026 season. Ace Hunter Greene will earn $8MM, while third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes is owed $7MM and catcher Jose Trevino is owed $5.25MM. Assuming the options on Barlow, Suter and outfielder Austin Hays (a $12MM mutual option) are bought out, their only other financial commitments will be in arbitration."
The Reds plan offseason moves focused on bullpen reinforcement and multiple lineup upgrades while keeping 2026 payroll around 2025 levels. Ownership signaled the 2026 budget will be roughly the same as the 2025 payroll, reducing available spending. Projections place the Reds near a $91MM payroll before option decisions on relievers Scott Barlow and Brent Suter. Barlow's $6.5MM option appears likely to be bought out while Suter's $3MM option remains a borderline choice. The club finished 2025 with modest attendance gains but higher payroll costs, and only three players currently hold guaranteed 2026 contracts.
Read at MLB Trade Rumors
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