Pierce Johnson's contract details all but confirmed Reds fans' biggest fears

The Cincinnati Reds reportedly agreed to a one-year deal with free agent reliever Pierce Johnson over the weekend. The veteran right-hander had been part of the Atlanta Braves bullpen the past two seasons, and will likely take on the middle-relief role that belonged to Scott Barlow last season.

MLB.com senior writer Mark Feinsand was privy to the contract details, and revealed that Johnson's deal with the Reds guarantees him $6.5 million in 2026. While that amount is more than fair given Johnson's track record, it's a rather lofty sum for a team like the Reds who have no plans to increase their payroll from last season and were already at the upper-end of their spending limit.

Reds fans are now reading the tea leaves, and one thing is becoming perfectly clear — Cincinnati has no plans to add a big-time bat to the middle of the lineup this offseason. Barring a trade involving one of their starting pitchers — something the front office has consistently dismissed — the Reds seem likely to enter the upcoming season with a similar lineup to the one that was quickly bounced from the playoffs by the Los Angeles Dodgers last October.

Pierce Johnson's contract details suggest Reds won't pursue a big-bat this offseason

The Reds could always surprise everyone and make a play for All-Star slugger Eugenio Suárez or former Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Rhys Hoskins, but Nick Krall has been emphatic about the team's approach to the offseason. Cincinnati always had the bullpen circled as the top priority, and then would look for ways to bolster the lineup.

Johnson's deal is likely to push Cincinnati's Opening Day payroll above $115 million. The Reds opened last season with $111 million on the books, but after taking on Ke'Bryan Hayes' salary at the July 31 trade deadline, ended the year with a $118 million payroll. Even if the Reds are comfortable spending another $5 million or so this winter, that will hardly be enough to land a bat like Suárez or Hoskins.

It would seem that the Reds plan to run out their superstar shortstop Elly De La Cruz as the centerpiece of a lineup that also features Spencer Steer, Tyler Stephenson, and TJ Friedl. They'll no doubt be hoping for a bounce-back season from Matt McLain and a breakout year from one of Noelvi Marte or Sal Stewart.

The fanbase will be none too pleased if Cincinnati fails to add another bat this offseason. The Reds ranked 21st in both slugging percentage and home runs last season, and fans have been begging the organization to add some pop to the middle of the batting order. To date, the biggest bat Krall and Co. have acquired was former A's outfielder JJ Bleday.

The competition in the NL Central is getting fierce, but the Reds are stuck in neutral. The Brewers are coming off a 97-win season, the Chicago Cubs just added All-Star infielder Alex Bregman, and the Pittsburgh Pirates secured Ryan O'Hearn earlier this winter. If Cincinnati doesn't do anything — and fast — they risk being left at the station once the season gets underway.