Breaking down the Reds 2026 payroll situation

The Reds 2026 payroll conundrum:

Nick Krall says the Reds 2026 budget will be around the same as it was in 2025. That means in the neighborhood of $115-$120M.

The grouping of players below will cost the Reds approximately $90M in 2026.

-11 hitters at $39.6M

-13 pitchers at $35.35M

-$2.25M in buyouts: Austin Hays, Brent Suter, Scott Barlow

-$13M in ‘26 salary owed: Jeimer Candelario

Budget: $115-120M

Left to spend: $25-30M

This grouping below DOESN'T INCLUDE departed free agents: Austin Hays, Nick Martinez, Emilio Pagan, Miguel Andujar, Brent Suter, Scott Barlow, Zack Littell, Santiago Espinal, Ian Gibaut.

This roster WOULD STILL NEED at least that elusive‘bat’, a utility player, and a LH reliever.

Hitters: 11 of 13 spots/ $39.6M

Ke’Bryan Hayes $7M

Jose Trevino $5.25

Tyler Stephenson $6.4M*

Gavin Lux $5M*

TJ Friedl $4.9M*

Spencer Steer $4.5M*

Matt McLain $2.6M*

Will Benson $1.7M*

Elly De La Cruz $750K

Noelvi Marte $750k

Sal Stewart $750K

*Projected arbitration salary (MLB Trade Rumors)

Other possibilities: CES, Blake Dunn, Tyler Callihan, Hector Rodriguez, Edwin Arroyo (each $750K)

Pitchers: 12 of 13 spots/$35M

Brady Singer $11.9*

Hunter Greene $8.3M

Nick Lodolo $4.3M*

Tony Santillan $2.4M*

Graham Ashcraft $1.4M*

Keegan Thompson $1.3M (if on ML roster)

Sam Moll $1.2M*

Brandon Williamson $800K*

Andrew Abbott $750K

Chase Burns $750K

Rhett Lowder $750K

Connor Phillips $750K

*Projected arbitration salary (MLB Trade Rumors)

Other possibilities: Carson Spiers, Zach Maxwell, Lyon Richardson, Luis Mey, Chasey Petty, Julian Aguiar, Yozver Zulueta, Sam Benschoter, Reiver Sanmartin (each $750K)

How does that Butler math sound?