Reds 2026 dream roster imagines what Nick Krall could build if money wasn’t tight

The MLB Winter Meetings begin this week, and it gives baseball fans across the country a chance to dream big. For Cincinnati Reds fans, those dreams oftentimes revolve around a budget — and a minuscule one at that. While fans of the New York Yankees, New York Mets, and Los Angeles Dodgers watch their favorite teams spend frivolously, Reds Country is always stuck watching Bob Castellini and Cincinnati's ownership group pinch pennies and look for bargains in free agency.

But if money were no factor in the Reds' offseason decision making process, and Nick Krall was not handcuffed by a $120 million budget — the same one the Reds had in 2025 — how much better could next year's roster be? Let's take a peek at what the Reds 2026 roster might look like if the front office was allowed to wade into the deep-end and spend big.

(Editor's note: This "dream" roster was assembled under the idea that the Reds' budget for 2026 is more in line with the middle-of-the-road organizations throughout MLB (Seattle Mariners, Arizona Diamondbacks, etc.) who operate with a payroll around $150-$175 million.)

Reds 2026 dream roster would be a nightmare for their opponents

Reds starting lineup (9)

• Keeping: Elly De La Cruz (SS), Sal Stewart (1B), Noelvi Marte (RF), TJ Friedl (CF), Tyler Stephenson (C), Matt McLain (2B)
• Adding: Kyle Schwarber (DH), Jarren Duran (LF), Eugenio Suárez (3B)
• Cutting/ Trading: Gavin Lux, Ke'Bryan Hayes

Even in a dream, the Reds' heavy-hitters like Elly De La Cruz, Sal Stewart, and Noelvi Marte will be part of the starting lineup. But Cincinnati lacked power in the middle of their lineup last season, and they'll need to improve in that area if they hope to make some noise in 2026.

Middletown native Kyle Schwarber has been linked to the Reds throughout the offseason, and there's definitely a world in which that dream could become a reality. Swinging a trade for Boston Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran would give the Reds another top-of-the-order bat, and while they're at it, why not bring home long-time fan-favorite Eugenio Suárez?

Matt McLain and Tyler Stephenson are both on thin ice heading into next season — but even in a dream — Cincinnati can't afford to remake their entire roster. Both players have the potential to be everyday starters, and if they play up to that level, this version of the Reds could be one of the best offenses in the league next season.

Reds bench (4)

• Keeping: Jose Trevino (C), Spencer Steer (1B/OF), Tyler Callihan (IF/OF)
• Adding: Rob Refsnyder (OF)
• Cutting/ Trading: Will Benson, Christian Encarnacion-Strand

Spencer Steer was a Gold Glove finalist at first base last season, but in this imaginary roster he's probably best suited to be the first bat off the bench. The catching market is rather thin, and while Jose Trevino is far from a top-tier backstop, he can hold his own as a backup. Having a low-cost backup like Tyler Callihan, Blake Dunn, or even Edwin Arroyo would be more than enough to act as Cincinnati's 26th-man on a dream roster.

If the Reds keep TJ Friedl, they need to find a way to give him more days off in 2026. The aforementioned acquisition of Duran gives the Reds another outfielder who play center field in a pinch, and adding a right-handed platoon bat like former Reds farmhand Rob Refsnyder would allow Terry Francona to mix and match depending on the pitching matchups.

Will Benson plays above-average defense in the outfield, but his offensive production was atrocious in 2025. Christian Encarnacion-Strand was even worse, and while the former top prospect possesses light-tower power, perhaps the Reds could find a high-upside prospect (or reliever) in a trade this offseason.

Reds starting rotation (5)

• Keeping: Hunter Greene, Andrew Abbott, Chase Burns
• Adding: Jordan Montgomery, Tyler Mahle
• Cutting/ Trading: Nick Lodolo, Brady Singer

There've been whispers all offseason of a Hunter Greene trade, but he's one of the biggest bargains in baseball. It's doubtful any team could match what the Reds would want in return for his services, and when healthy, he's a top-10 starting pitcher. Andrew Abbott is coming off an All-Star campaign in 2025, and Chase Burns looked the part during his rookie season.

The Reds starting rotation is deep, and in order to pull off the aforementioned trade for Duran, one of their starters will have to go. A package centered around Nick Lodolo should be enough to force Boston's hand. In addition, even though we're in a dream scenario, the Reds can't afford to make that blockbuster signing for Schwarber without shedding Brady Singer's $12 million salary. He'll have no shortage of takers.

To help offset the losses of Lodolo and Singer, the Reds would need to make some high-upside free agent signings. Jordan Montgomery is coming off Tommy John surgery, but an incnetive-laden contract could give the Reds a potential frontline starter for pennies on the dollar. Reuniting with Tyler Mahle shouldn't cost an arm and a leg, and Cincy still has tremendous depth in the minors with Chase Petty, Rhett Lowder, and Julian Aguiar. Brandon Williamson is expected to be healthy this spring as well.

Reds bullpen (8)

• Keeping: Emilio Pagán, Tony Santillan, Graham Ashcraft, Connor Phillips, Zach Maxwell
• Adding: Tyler Rogers, Gregory Soto, Danny Coulombe
• Cutting/ Trading: Keegan Thompson, Sam Moll, Lyon Richardson

The Reds already secured their closer for 2026 after agreeing to a two-year, $20 million deal with Emilio Pagán. Fans can expect he and Tony Santillan to have the eighth and ninth innings on lockdown. Graham Ashcraft needs to improve in 2026, but showed enough during his first season as a reliever. Finally, the duo of Connor Phillips and Zach Maxwell showed flashes in 2025, and could be a big part of the 'pen next season.

But the Reds bullpen still needs reinforcements, and in this dream roster scenario, Krall can spend big on free agent relievers. Adding a top-tier arm like Tyler Rogers and a pair of lefties in Gregory Soto and Danny Coulombe will turn the Reds' relief corps into a strength rather than a weakness.

Sam Moll, Keegan Thompson, and Lyon Richardson are little more than depth options at this point in time, and if we're dreaming of a legitimate 2026 Opening Day roster that can contend for the NL Central division crown, those three won't be on it.