Offseason Outlook: Cincinnati Reds

The Reds made the postseason in a 162-game schedule for the first time in 12 years. They looked overmatched against the Dodgers and were swept out of the Wild Card Series. This year was a nice stepping stone, but the Reds need to add a couple bats to pull alongside the true best teams in the National League.

Guaranteed Contracts

• Hunter Greene, RHP: $41MM through 2028 (including buyout of ’29 club option)
• Ke’Bryan Hayes, 3B: $36MM through 2029 (including buyout of ’30 club option)
• Jose Trevino, C: $11.25MM through 2027 (including buyout of ’28 club option)

Other Financial Commitments

• Owe $15MM to released 3B Jeimer Candelario

Option Decisions

• Team, OF Austin Hays hold $12MM mutual option ($1MM buyout)
• Team holds $6.5MM option on RHP Scott Barlow ($1MM buyout)
• Team holds $3MM option on LHP Brent Suter ($250K buyout)

2026 financial commitments: $37.5MM
Total future commitments: $105.5MM

Arbitration-Eligible Players (service time in parentheses; projected salaries courtesy of MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz)

• Brady Singer (5.156): $11.9MM
• Santiago Espinal (5.149): $2.9MM
• Gavin Lux (5.114): $5MM
• Tyler Stephenson (5.056): $6.4MM
• Ian Gibaut (4.077): $1.5MM
• Sam Moll (4.023): $1.2MM
• Nick Lodolo (4.000): $4.3MM
• Graham Ashcraft (3.130): $1.4MM
• TJ Friedl (3.112): $4.9MM
• Tony Santillan (3.099): $2.4MM
• Spencer Steer (3.035): $4.5MM
• Will Benson (3.003): $1.7MM
• Matt McLain (2.140): $2.6MM

Non-tender candidates: Lux, Espinal, Gibaut, Moll, Benson

Free Agents

• Zack Littell, Nick Martinez, Austin Hays, Emilio Pagán, Miguel Andujar, Wade Miley

The Reds ranked 14th in MLB with 4.42 runs per game. That’s an underwhelming mark for a team that plays in one of the league’s most favorable hitter’s parks. They’ll need to improve upon a .245/.315/.391 batting line. The offense should be the offseason priority, but their first couple decisions are in the bullpen.

Cincinnati holds options on relievers Scott Barlow and Brent Suter. It’s an easy call to move on from Barlow, who’ll receive a $1MM buyout. They’ll probably also opt for a $250K buyout on Suter, as the Cincinnati native struggled to a 7.36 ERA after the All-Star Break. Closer Emilio Pagán hits the market following one of the best seasons of his career. Nick Martinez will again be a free agent after playing this year on a $21.05MM qualifying offer salary.

If Pagán walks, the Reds could be in the market for a closer. They’re not going to spend at the level it’d take to bring in Edwin Díaz, nor does a splash for Robert Suarez seem advisable given their needs on offense. Old friend Raisel Iglesias will be available on a one or two-year deal at age 36, though he pitched well enough with Atlanta to command an eight-figure salary. Kenley Jansen will sign a decent one-year deal, while Ryan Helsley and Michael Kopech are probably looking for pillow contracts. Devin Williams, Brad Keller, Luke Weaver, Kyle Finnegan and Pagán himself should all be looking at multi-year contracts — though it’d be a surprise if Pagán commands more than two guaranteed years entering his age-35 season.

Tony Santillan, Graham Ashcraft and Connor Phillips are Cincy’s top returning leverage arms. Santillan has a little bit of closing experience, while Phillips has shown wipeout stuff with hit-or-miss command. If the Reds find the prices too high on free agent closers, perhaps they’ll let Santillan and Phillips compete for the ninth inning while pursuing a setup type like Tyler Rogers or Phil Maton. In any case, they should bring in at least one back-end arm.