CARLSBAD, Calif. – In the past few years, the Cincinnati Reds have shifted their unofficial offseason motto from “get the pitching” to “get the hitting” to the current “align payroll with our resources.”
As Nick Krall and a small group of Reds front office staff arrived at the annual General Managers Meetings this week, the question hanging over the organization is how much payroll they’re looking to cut this winter.
The Reds traded Tucker Barnhart to the Detroit Tigers and placed Wade Miley on waivers where he was claimed by the Chicago Cubs. Nick Castellanos opted out of the final two years of his contract and, as expected, rejected a one-year, $18.4 million qualifying offer.
Next up, according to league sources, is likely activity on the trade market. Starting pitcher Luis Castillo should command heavy interest from around the league. Sonny Gray, who is entering the last year of his contract with a club option for the 2023 season, is another trade candidate.
The Reds won’t be major players in the free-agent market and will double down on the players in their own farm system – and the young players they acquire in potential trades.
