Reds payroll set to balloon with these young players entering arbitration this winter

The Cincinnati Reds are heading into a very important offseason. The Reds proved that they're a playoff caliber team — thanks to some help from the New York Mets. But after a quick playoff exit, it's very apparent that Cincinnati will need to retool the roster this offseason if they hope to play deeper into October next season.

According to Cot's Baseball Contracts, the Reds' end-of-year payroll this past season was just north of $116 million. This figure included Jeimer Candelario's $16 million salary — an amount the Reds will be on the hook for in 2026 as well.

In addition to Candelario's 2026 salary, however, will be the impending arbitration salaries of several young Reds players. Nick Lodolo took home nearly $2 million after reaching arbitration status last winter, and will receive a raise as he heads into his second year of arbitration eligibility this offseason. Who else will be due a raise in 2026?

Reds payroll set to balloon with TJ Friedl and Spencer Steer entering arbitration this winter

A player with three years of service time, but less than six, is eligible for salary arbitration. Heading into next season, the Reds will have 16 players in line for arbitration — eight of whom will be going through the process for the first time.

Tyler Stephenson, Gavin Lux, Brady Singer, and Santiago Espinal will be entering their final year of arbitration eligibility this offseason. Stephenson and Singer will both receive nice pay raises following their performances in 2025, but Lux and Espinal could be non-tendered next month.

Lodolo, Sam Moll, and Ian Gibaut will all enter their second season of arbitration eligibility, but the Reds left-handed starter might be the only one to go through the process. Moll and Gibaut could be let go shortly after the MLB offseason begins.

The eight players who'll be eligible for arbitration for the first time include TJ Friedl, Spencer Steer, Tony Santillan, Graham Ashcraft, Matt McLain, Brandon Williamson, Will Benson, and Reiver Sanmartin. Aside from Sanmartin, all of these players are likely to be tendered contracts this winter.

The Reds need to spend wisely this offseason. As their young talent gains experience, it's only going to become more and more expensive. That's why it's critical for the Reds to find playoff success in 2026 because the payroll is be set to skyrocket in 2027 with All-Stars Elly De La Cruz and Andrew Abbott eligible for salary arbitration after next season. Those numbers could come in mighty high.

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