Why Reds should be able to afford adding a big bat and large contract that comes with it

CINCINNATI (WKRC) – Perhaps the Cincinnati Reds can indeed afford to sign a high priced free agent bat this offseason.

According to CodifyBaseball, the Reds spent only 42.5 percent of their payroll in 2025 compared to the revenue the team earned in 2024. CodifyBaseball listed every Major League Baseball team’s 2024 revenue and their 2025 payroll and luxury tax (which didn’t apply to many teams), and the Reds 2024 revenue was listed at $325 million while their 2025 payroll at $139 million.

The Reds ranked 21st in payroll/revenue percentage, although it should be noted they did make the playoffs this past season and three teams below them also made the playoffs — the Boston Red Sox (42.1 percent), Milwaukee Brewers (40.8 percent) and Cleveland Guardians (39.4 percent). The team that spent the most payroll and luxury tax vs. revenue earned was the New York Mets at a whopping 90.0 percent, and they missed the playoffs.