Reds 2026 payroll outlook reveals what fans feared most about the offseason

The Cincinnati Reds spent more money in 2025 than they did during the previous three seasons. According to Cot's Baseball Contracts, the Reds' Opening Day payroll just south of $112 million — the most money ownership invested into the team since 2022 ($114 million). In terms of the competitive balance payroll, however, Cincinnati's mark of $139 million is the most since Bob Castellini and the Reds ownership dropped $144 million in 2021.

But the Reds have a number of free agents coming off the books heading into the 2025-26 offseason. Nick Martinez, Zack Littell, Miguel Andujar, Austin Hays, and Wade Miley will all hit the free agent market shortly after the World Series comes to an end. Cincinnati will then have to decide whether or not to exercise the club-options attached to Scott Barlow and Brent Suter.

Altogether, once those players are off the Reds 40-man roster, Cincinnati will only have $36.6 million worth of contracts committed to the 2026 season. Hunter Greene ($8.3 million), Jose Trevino ($5.25 million), and Ke'Bryan Hayes ($7 million) are the only players under contract. Unfortunately, the Reds are also on the hook for the remainder of Jeimer Candelario's 2026 salary ($16 million).

What does the Reds 2026 payroll look like heading into the offseason?

But that's just the tip of the iceberg. The Reds can't field a roster of just Greene, Trevino, Hayes, and the ghost of Candelario...though that would be rather amusing. Obviously, the remainder of those players on the Reds 40-man roster are either arbitration or pre-arbitration eligible.

If the Reds choose to retain the rights to the majority of their arbitration-eligible players — Spencer Steer, TJ Friedl, Graham Ashcraft, Nick Lodolo, Will Benson, Tyler Stephenson, Brady Singer, Matt McLain, and Gavin Lux — they're likely to spend upwards of about $45-$50 million. That puts the Reds' 2026 payroll in the neighborhood of $80-$85 million.

Then comes the pre-arb players who'll fill out the rest of the roster. That includes the likes of Sal Stewart, Andrew Abbott, and Elly De La Cruz — all of whom will be making the league minimum in 2026. That'll account for about $10 million combined, meaning that the Reds total payroll entering the 2025-26 offseason is sitting at about $95 million.

If it's understood that the 2026 payroll will mimic that of the $112 million Cincinnati spent last season,, Nick Krall and the Reds front office have approximately $15-$20 million to play with this winter as they look to bolster the roster.

That's nothing to sneeze at, and, in fact, could be used to extend some of their young players beyond their arbitration window. While a new contract for De La Cruz is unlikely, players like Steer, Abbott, and Lodolo could be in line for new deal this offseason.

The Reds financial straits are not as bad as management would have you believe, but Cincinnati is also unlikely to make a big splash in free agency. The easiest way for Krall and Co. to upgrade the roster is through trades, something they did often last winter. Reds fans should look for more of the same in the coming months.