Reds News: Payroll flexibility, Graham Ashcraft changes jersey number, Brent Suter

The MLB Winter Meetings are just days away and there are certainly a number of rumors surrounding the Cincinnati Reds with the annual event set to kick off. Executives, agents, and even some players are Texas-bound with this year's meetings being held in Dallas.

The Reds were recently linked to Chicago White Sox starter Garrett Crochet. The All-Star will be a hot topic to follow at this year's Winter Meetings, as the lefty is a popular trade target for a number of contending teams. If the Reds were to add Crochet, it wouldn't affect their bottom line too much, as he's still arbitration eligible. But what does the Reds' payroll look like heading into next week?

Reds News: Cincy's 2025 payroll provides a little flexibility

According to Reds President of Baseball Operations, the team's 2025 payroll has "a little bit of flexibility right now." What that means is yet to be determined, but fans had been told earlier in the offseason that the Reds' 2025 payroll would match or exceed last year's total.

According to Cot's Baseball Contracts, the Reds' 2024 payroll was just over $90 million. The Reds' projected payroll (including arbitration estimates) heading into next season is roughly $92 million. It's safe to assume that Cincinnati could look to up that number a bit, but Reds fans shouldn't get their hopes up. In other words, signing Teoscar Hernández probably isn't in the cards.

Reds News: Graham Ashcraft, Brady Singer gets a new jersey numbers

Graham Ashcraft will not be wearing No. 51 in 2025. The Reds' right-hander will don No. 23 — a number Nick Martini wore in 2024. New Reds pitcher Brady Singer will take Ashcraft's old number. Singer wore No. 51 during his time at the University of Florida and with the Kansas City Royals.

The question is whether or not Ashcraft's new number will come with a new role in 2025. Many fans expect Ashcraft to make the shift from the starting rotation to the bullpen next season, but neither Krall nor manager Terry Francona have spoken openly about such a move.

Reds News: Brent Suter joins MLBPA subcommittee

Brent Suter re-signed with the Reds earlier this offseason. The Cincinnati native was deployed in numerous different roles last season, and the veteran will take on a new role (off the field) in 2025. Suter was named to the MLBPA's eight-member Executive Subcommittee.

Joining Suter will be Jake Cronenworth (San Diego Padres), Pete Fairbanks (Tampa Bay Rays), Marcus Semien (Texas Rangers), and Paul Skenes (Pittsburgh Pirates) among others. Suter's focus will be on player pensions.

More Cincinnati Reds News and Rumors