Offseason Outlook: Cincinnati Reds

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

Guaranteed contracts

• Hunter GreeneRHP: $41 million through 2028 (including buyout of ’29 club option)
• Ke’Bryan Hayes3B: $36 million through 2029 (including buyout of ’30 club option)
• Jose TrevinoC: $11.25 million through 2027 (including buyout of ’28 club option)

Other financial obligations

Option decisions

• Team, OR Austin Hays hold a $12 million mutual option ($1MM buyout)
• The team has a $6.5 million option on RHP Scott Barlow ($1MM buyout)
• The team has a $3 million option on LHP Brent Suter ($250K buyout)

Financial commitments for 2026: $37.5 million
Total future liabilities: $105.5 million

Arbitration-eligible players (service time in brackets; projected salaries courtesy of MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz)

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

Free agents

The Reds ranked 14th in the MLB with 4.42 runs per game. That’s a disappointing figure for a team that plays in one of the league’s most favorable hitter parks. They will need to improve on a .245/.315/.391 batting line. The offense should be the priority this offseason, but their first few decisions lie in the bullpen.

Cincinnati has options on relievers Scott Barlow And Brent Suter. It’s easy to move on with Barlow, who receives a $1 million buyout. They will also likely opt for a $250,000 buyout on Suter, as the Cincinnati native struggled to a 7.36 ERA after the All-Star Break. Closer Emilio Pagan hits the market after one of the best seasons of his career. Nick Martinez will be a free agent again after playing this year with a qualifying salary of $21.05 million.

If Pagán walks, the Reds could be looking for a closer. They won’t spend at the level necessary to raise money Edwin Diazand no splash either Robert Suarez seem advisable given their needs in violation. Old friend Raisel Iglesias will be available on a one- or two-year contract at age 36, although he pitched well enough with Atlanta to earn an eight-figure salary. Kenley Jansen will sign a decent one-year contract Ryan Helsley And Michael Kopech are probably looking for cushion contracts. Devin Williams, Brad Keller, Lucas Weaver, Kyle Finnegan and Pagán himself should all be looking at multi-year contracts — although it would be a surprise if Pagán gets more than two guaranteed years entering his age-35 season.

Tony Santillan, Graham Ashcraft And Connor Phillips are Cincy’s best returning lever arms. Santillan has some slot experience, while Phillips has shown all he can with hit-or-miss command. If the Reds find prices too high for 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 carpet. At the very least, they need to bring in at least one backend.