Reds Notes: Miguel Andújar joins NL contender, Annie Sabo says goodbye, payroll

After signing Eugenio Suárez to a one-year, $15 million deal earlier this week, a reunion with free-agent slugger Miguel Andújar became a long shot. The Reds acquired Andújar at the July 31 trade deadline in a last-minute deal with the Athletics, and in exchange, sent pitching prospect Kenya Huggins to Sacramento.

Andújar operated as the Reds' designated hitter — a role Suárez is poised to take over during the upcoming season — over the second-half of 2025, and became a fixture in the lineup. He battled injuries, but still appeared in 34 games for the Reds and hit .359/.400/.544 with four home runs and 17 RBI.

Reds News: Miguel Andújar spurns other offers to join the Padres

Andújar is now headed out to the West Coast after reportedly signing a one-year, $4 million deal with the San Diego Padres. Andújar was a lefty killer in 2025, which was a big reason why the Reds traded for him. The veteran posted a .389/.409/.578 slash line against southpaws last season, and will now help to anchor the Padres lineup in 2026.

Thanks to his dominance against left-handed pitching, Andújar was said to have a very robust market this winter. Prior to his deal with San Diego — which seems like a bargain — the 30-year-old was drawing interest from the Reds, Athletics, Texas Rangers, St. Louis Cardinals, and Chicago Cubs. But with Luis Arraez off to the San Francisco Giants, the Friars can easily slot Andújar in as their DH.

Reds News: Annie Sabo says goodbye to Cincinnati, front office is done spending

It appears as though Annie Sabo's time as part of the Reds broadcast team is over. The daughter of Reds Hall of Famer Chris Sabo posted a message to social media that read, "My time in Cincinnati has come to an end. Thankful for my time there, and wish everybody nothing but the best ❤️ Not sure what lies ahead, but letting God handle the rest."

Sabo became part of the Reds' pre and postgame show on the Bally Sports Network in 2022. She was absent from the Reds' initial broadcast team after the team made the switch to FanDuel Sports Network last year, but once again reprised her role before and after games in 2025.

The Reds terminated their relationship with Main Street Sports Group — the parent company of FanDuel Sports Network — just last week, and announced that MLB will take over production of Cincinnati's games this season.

It's possible that pre and postgame coverage will be limited in 2026, and thus Sabo's talents were no longer needed. The rest of the Reds' broadcast team is expected to return during the upcoming season.

Speaking of the Reds' new TV deal, the lack of a regional television network will affect the team's payroll next season. Initial reports from The Athletic (subscription required) revealed that Main Street was offering the Reds about $42 million to stay, which was down from the $52 million they would have paid under the deal that was terminated. They are expected to receive even less from MLB.

The Reds went over their allotted payroll — thanks to Bob Castellini and the ownership group — in order to sign Suárez, and the team's projected payroll now sits at $127 million. That number isn't expected to move, and the only deals fans should expect before the team heads out to Arizona will be minor-league contracts with invites to spring training.