There's a gulf between what Cincinnati Reds fans want to see this offseason and what the club is prepared to do. To an extent, that will always be the case for a small-market team like the Reds, but given where they are in their ascent, the gap in expectations feels more dire.
Be that as it may, Nick Krall has made it clear that payroll will remain flat, and despite the money coming off the books, arbitration raises are set to erase nearly all the wiggle room the franchise could obtain.
If that wasn't frustrating enough, the latest news coming from other cash-strapped clubs will have Reds fans ready to hit the roof.