Predictably, the Cincinnati Reds payroll is expected to remain about the same heading into 2026. As such, Nick Krall and the Reds' front office will be forced to make roster improvements around the margins, and any notion that Cincinnati will swing a for the fences during free agency is total and complete nonsense.
Nevertheless, as the Reds are prone to do around this time of year, they'll be targeting former top prospects who've fallen on hard times, ex-All-Star stars who carry considerable durability concerns, or high-upside/ low cost veterans who are looking to reignite their careers.