The 2019 Reds payroll will be the team’s highest ever, owner Bob Castellini tells Paul Daugherty of the Cincinnati Enquirer. We already knew that the Reds planned on spending more next season, though Castellini’s comments suggest a fairly notable increase over this season’s $101.34MM Opening Day payroll. The team’s previous payroll high was $115.3MM on Opening Day 2015, and that total jumped to over $118MM by the end of that season. However, Castellini also referenced increased organizational spending, which suggest he may not be referring exclusively to player payroll. Regardless, Cincinnati will be shopping for multiple arms this winter, as Castellini notes that “We know we have to bolster the whole pitching situation. Are we talking about one starter or two? Two bullpen guys, three bullpen guys?”
More from Cincinnati and the NL Central….
- MLBTR’s Steve Adams recently took note of the fairly substantial drop in attendance seen at the Great American Ball Park this year, while Bobby Nightengale of the Cincinnati Enquirer reported that 2018 marked the Reds’ slowest year at the turnstiles since 1984. Elsewhere around town, however, Cincinnati’s minor league soccer team FC Cincinnati is busy setting attendance records as they prepare to make the jump to the MLS in 2019, according to Sharon Coolidge and Patrick Brennan of the Cincinnati Enquirer. Losing the attendance battle to a minor league soccer team might be discouraging, but it’s also a clear indication for the Reds that a hunger exists in the city to support a winner.
- The Cardinals are hoping to get their middle infield combo of Kolten Wong and Paul DeJong healthy this offseason with a little R&R. Wong will avoid surgery on a balky left knee that led to some hamstring soreness later in the year, as per Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. DeJong successful underwent surgery last week to remove a plate that from his left hand that was inserted to aid the healing process after he broke it in May. He’ll be in a cast for a few weeks, but should be healthy enough for offseason workouts before too long. DeJong struggled to regain his power stroke after returning in July, though that isn’t an uncommon short-term issue for players recovering from a broken hand. St. Louis hopes to get this tandem healthy, as they’re both signed to fairly modest long-term deals. Wong is signed for two more seasons with a $12.5MM option for 2021, while DeJong signed an extension in March.
- In Cubs news, MLB.com’s Carrie Muskat took an early look at the questions Theo Epstein and company need to address this offseason. The Cubs fell from first in runs scored to eighth in the second half, but exactly where in the lineup they’ll look to upgrade is as of yet unclear. Perhaps the easiest way to improve the offense is to get Kris Bryant’s shoulder back in good form, as the former NL MVP was in and out of the lineup for much of the second half with shoulder soreness. For now, the plan is to avoid surgery and hope that a longer offseason than usual helps the healing process.
The Cubs could really be in a good spot next year if they sign Harper. The lineup could be:
Almora
Harper
Bryant
Baez
Rizzo
Schwarber
Contreras
Happ
P
The lineup looks real good 2-5. Subs: Zobrist and Heyward if two in the lineup really struggle.
And the rotation:
Lester
Hendricks
Quintana
Darvish
Hamels (maybe)
Just need a healthy Morrow and Strop in the bullpen.
2019 could be a great year. Brewers better watch out.
How much can cubs seriously spend this offseason after overspending on darvish, likely picking up hamels option and still having to pay on Hayward‘s boat anchor contract and others?
Almora – league min
Harper – 30m
Bryant – 17m – ARB2 (estimate)
Baez – 8m ARB1 (estimate)
Rizzo – 11.2m
Schwarber – 5m ARB1 (estimate)
Contreras – league min
Happ – league min
Lester – 27.5m
Hendricks – 9m ARB2 (estimate)
Quintana – 10.5m
Darvish – 20m
Hamels (maybe) – 20m
Bench:
Heyward – 22.5m
Zobrist – 12.5m
that is 192m right there even before the RP core and the rest of the bench……have fun trying to squeeze all of those $ in there.
They have the money and they will go over. But in my opinion they won’t get Harper or Machado
I read something that suggested Ian Happ, and Kyle Schwarber will be dealt off elsewhere.
That would be in the comment section of every Cubs article for the last 2 seasons
Not so much the articles themselves, though
Machado would be a much better fit than Harper, and probably a little cheaper as well. I’m praying Theo stays away from Harper. Of all the positions, outfield is the last one we need to address. Lets spend some money on some relievers/infielders before we even bring up Harpers name again. Just my opinion though…
Harper would be the wrong choice. They might be better off going after LeMahieu. Great bat and with him and Baez up the middle they’d have a seriously solid infield.
At ss? Offensively speaking sure. But you already have a 3b, just get him healthy. Solidify bp/sp arms and they’ll be fine. Think they might be frontrunners for harper though. LV connection that’s been stated because harper/bryant
play him at 2nd
Machado can’t play SS no matter what he insists, so I’m not sure why the Cubs need a 3b….
Because Machado would be a better fielder at 3B. Bryant can play LF. Wait, that’s Kyle’s position. Gasp!
Personally I’d rather get Harper, who’s defense in rf would likely be pretty good. Hopefully they can find some way to move heyward by just eating some of the contract, and swapping heywards bat for Harper’s is a big straight upgrade
Makes a lot more sense to me than moving an already good 3b for what would be less of an offensive upgrade overall
wong needs surgery. better now than during the season
You absolutely try to sign Harper at almost any cost. In doing this you must tie his first opt out to 2022 (after the 21 season) the same year Bryant becomes a free agent (and Baez, Schwarber, Russell, etc). Harper and Machado are the two biggest impact players available this year.
On numerous occasions Theo has stated it is hard to stay in one place for over ten years. He’s creeping up on that in Chicago. That may coincide with this timeline as well.
You go all in for another three years and see what happens. You can tear it all down at that point if you wish.
And if you do sign Harper, guys like Schwarber and Happ with three + years of control become a little more marketable.
You do not pass on a talent like Harper, overrated or not, if he is available. Nor do you pass on Machado, LeMaheiu, (Darvish), etc….if you have a chance, take it.
This guy just used the words “Schwarber” and “marketable” in the same sentence. I love it. Now tell me how “marketable” Addison Russell is too
first you tell us what fantasy you have about Schwarber that somehow makes him not marketable. He’s quite a likeable guy and in spite of the rumors flying around the internet, actually a pretty decent player when you use facts…
The number one priority is a lead off hitter
Probably a second baseman or center fielder
We are stuck with Bryant so hopefully he can improve as he has no trade value anymore
Schwarber Happ Caratini Edwards and Montgomery will be gone
We need Contreras to play like the first half
Can’t give up on him yet
There’s a very good reason nobody pays you for baseball analysis…
@ElectricEddie…..”We are stuck with Bryant…he has no trade value anymore”……….please, MLB Trade Rumors is one of the few sites that allows fans to comment still. ESPN, CBS Sports, mlb.com have all turned them off. It is literally statements like that which keep the stupid police gamefully employed.
You started off well with the lead off hitter—-then got another bingo with, especially, center field. Then you throw all your credibility out the window with the stuck with Bryan statement. Tough, injury marred year? Yes. But I’m sure that 29 other teams would be happy to be stuck with the Cubs best player.
I literally laughed out loud when I read Bryant has no trade value
And scary because it seems like a thought driven post….not a troll. You can almost see the medication wearing off as he went through the entire roster,
Long time reader, first time commenting…had to create an account just to find out what planet you are from. “We are stuck with Bryant”…you’re joking right? Please tell me you’re joking.
A minimum of twenty-five MLB teams would love to be “stuck with Bryant.”
Thirty… all thirty would take him.
Want Fowler. Back
Why is no one talking about the Reds?
Because they’d rather watch futbol.
It’s Fussball Club Cincinnati. Also everyone is a little down after 4 very bad seasons. The Reds have claimed they are going to spend money finally this off season. The only Reds don’t typically go after high profile FA’s. It will be interesting to see if they try to be players in free agency, or if they try to improve via trade. Hopefully they don’t stand pat, or 19 will be a long season.
They are like the White Sox of Ohio. Nah I’m kidding they need pitching though and I wonder if they may try to sign Patrick Corbin
Oh yeah buddy? The White Sox are building a monster. We’ll see how true your statement is this time next year. The clock is ticking for the Cubs as well. I’ll watching Theo spend himself out of a job trying to keep the aging Cubs relevant the next few years. Who knows, we might even get Maddon after the Cubs foolishly (inevitably) let him go. 2021 Chicago White Sox World Series Champs has a ring to it.
I don’t dislike the Sox so don’t be offended. It was a joke because of how good the Indians have been as of late. And I don’t know about next year. Moncada has to figure his swing out first and they will need to wait on Kopech. Giolito is still a question mark. But bringing Jimenez up should bring a spark and who knows of Cease will be ready or will they wait until Kopech is back? And then they need to start spending
probably because they lost 95 games and don’t honestly look to be any better next season…
All the Reds need is pitching. If the owner spends even a little bit on the rotation, they’re an immediate playoff threat.
But they need a lot of pitching. In that division they may need to wait a bit. I don’t think any of the top three and i’ll even throw Pittsburgh in there are gonna slow down anytime soon
yeah, every team that just started a full blown tear down just needs pitching…
they won’t get nearly enough of it to make a difference, since all the difference makers are going to get more money from richer teams and don’t want to play for a small market rebuilding one
Cinci’s got about 3 more seasons minimum before they stand a chance at being relevant in the Central again, and that’s only IF they don’t waste a few high draft picks.
I think we should move Bryant to 2nd and I think we should try Schwarber at 1b.
Almora cf
Harper rf
Bryant 2b
Rizzo 1b
Machado 3b
Baez SS
Shwarber LF
Contreras C
Replace Rizzo with Schwarber in 2020
Trade Ian Happ for Rasiel Iglesias.
Sadly this is not the worst fever dream proposed here…
Hey how about them cubs. Is it cool to start talking about them yet? For a club that invented baseball they sure had a great season
If Schwarber had a full season of plate appearances he would have hit 45 – 48 home runs. His defense was very good this year and the Cubs will not go after Harper.
I would personally like to see us sign Harper. I actually would like to see us keep our core intact including Hap and Shwarb. Of course we need another starter and a guy or two in the pen. Hope we keep Chavez and Strop out there. Really wish we could part ways with Heyward somehow and of course Chatwood. We can always put Baez at short and have Zobrist for 2b next year with Russell probably gone. I like this lineup
Almora cf
Rizzo 1b
Bryant 3b
Harper Rf
Baez Ss
Shwarber lf
Zobrist 2b
Contreras C
Pitcher
Happ, Bote, La Stella on the bench