The Reds 2026 payroll conundrum:
Nick Krall says the Reds 2026 budget will be around the same as it was in 2025. That means in the neighborhood of $115-$120M.
The grouping of players below will cost the Reds approximately $90M in 2026.
-11 hitters at $39.6M
-13 pitchers at $35.35M
-$2.25M in buyouts: Austin Hays, Brent Suter, Scott Barlow
-$13M in ‘26 salary owed: Jeimer Candelario
Budget: $115-120M
Left to spend: $25-30M
This grouping below DOESN'T INCLUDE departed free agents: Austin Hays, Nick Martinez, Emilio Pagan, Miguel Andujar, Brent Suter, Scott Barlow, Zack Littell, Santiago Espinal, Ian Gibaut.
This roster WOULD STILL NEED at least that elusive‘bat’, a utility player, and a LH reliever.
Hitters: 11 of 13 spots/ $39.6M
Ke’Bryan Hayes $7M
Jose Trevino $5.25
Tyler Stephenson $6.4M*
Gavin Lux $5M*
TJ Friedl $4.9M*
Spencer Steer $4.5M*
Matt McLain $2.6M*
Will Benson $1.7M*
Elly De La Cruz $750K
Noelvi Marte $750k
Sal Stewart $750K
*Projected arbitration salary (MLB Trade Rumors)
Other possibilities: CES, Blake Dunn, Tyler Callihan, Hector Rodriguez, Edwin Arroyo (each $750K)
Pitchers: 12 of 13 spots/$35M
Brady Singer $11.9*
Hunter Greene $8.3M
Nick Lodolo $4.3M*
Tony Santillan $2.4M*
Graham Ashcraft $1.4M*
Keegan Thompson $1.3M (if on ML roster)
Sam Moll $1.2M*
Brandon Williamson $800K*
Andrew Abbott $750K
Chase Burns $750K
Rhett Lowder $750K
Connor Phillips $750K
*Projected arbitration salary (MLB Trade Rumors)
Other possibilities: Carson Spiers, Zach Maxwell, Lyon Richardson, Luis Mey, Chasey Petty, Julian Aguiar, Yozver Zulueta, Sam Benschoter, Reiver Sanmartin (each $750K)
How does that Butler math sound?