Cincinnati invested $119 million into their 2025 roster, ranking 23rd in MLB payroll. Hunter Greene leads the team at $8.3 million annually while the Reds rely heavily on pre-arbitration talent and cost-controlled players to remain competitive.
Brady Singer ($13M), Ke’Bryan Hayes ($7M), and Tyler Stephenson ($7M) form the veteran core. Young stars like Elly De La Cruz ($770K) and Matt McLain ($772K) provide elite production at league minimum salaries as Cincinnati balances competitiveness with financial constraints.
Explore Cincinnati Reds player biography and roster information for complete team analysis.
| Position | Player |
| SP | Hunter Greene |
| SP | Nick Lodolo |
| SP | Andrew Abbott |
| SP | Brady Singer |
| SP | Nick Martinez |
| RP | Alexis Diaz |
| RP | Scott Barlow |
| RP | Emilio Pagan |
| RP | Taylor Rogers |
| RP | Brent Suter |
| C | Tyler Stephenson |
| C | Jose Trevino |
| 1B | Christian Encarnacion-Strand |
| 2B | Matt McLain |
| SS | Elly De La Cruz |
| 3B | Santiago Espinal |
| LF | TJ Friedl |
| CF | Will Benson |
| RF | Jake Fraley |
| DH | Spencer Steer |
Cincinnati Reds Highest-Paid Players for 2025
Greene earned $8.75 million through arbitration, representing his first year of significant salary increases. The hard-throwing right-hander’s extension discussions continued throughout the season as Cincinnati seeks long-term cost certainty.
Hayes makes $7 million in 2025 as part of his eight-year, $70 million extension signed with Pittsburgh before his trade to Cincinnati. Stephenson earns $7 million through arbitration after settling his case in January 2025.
| Player | Position | 2025 Salary | Contract Through |
| Brady Singer | SP | $13M | 2026 |
| Hunter Greene | SP | $8.75M | Arb-eligible 2027 |
| Ke’Bryan Hayes | 3B | $7M | 2029 |
| Tyler Stephenson | C | $7M | Arb-eligible 2026 |
| Jose Trevino | C | $5.25M | 2025 |
| Gavin Lux | 2B | $5M | Arb-eligible 2026 |
| Nick Lodolo | SP | $4.925M | Arb-eligible 2027 |
| Elly De La Cruz | SS | $770K | Pre-arbitration |
| Matt McLain | 2B/SS | $772K | Pre-arbitration |
| Noelvi Marte | 3B | $771K | Pre-arbitration |
Singer earned $13 million projected through arbitration as the team’s highest-paid player. Acquired via trade, his salary reflects established veteran production. Trevino makes $5.25 million providing defensive excellence behind the plate alongside Stephenson.
Reds Net Worth and Career Earnings
Greene accumulated $12 million in career earnings building a $7 million net worth by age 25. His arbitration years position him for substantial salary increases before reaching free agency in 2028.
| Player | 2025 Salary | Career Earnings (Est.) | Net Worth (Est.) | Key Endorsements |
| Brady Singer | $13M | $28M | $16M | Rawlings |
| Hunter Greene | $8.75M | $12M | $7M | Nike, Oakley |
| Ke’Bryan Hayes | $7M | $32M | $18M | Louisville Slugger |
| Tyler Stephenson | $7M | $15M | $9M | Rawlings |
| Jose Trevino | $5.25M | $18M | $11M | New Balance |
| Nick Lodolo | $4.925M | $8M | $5M | Under Armour |
Hayes collected $32 million across Pittsburgh and Cincinnati creating an $18 million net worth. His extension keeps him affordable through 2029 at escalating salaries. Stephenson earned $15 million building a $9 million fortune since debuting in 2020.
Young Core Provides Exceptional Roster Value
De La Cruz earns just $770K while delivering 25 home runs, 60+ stolen bases, and dynamic shortstop defense. His pre-arbitration status creates one of baseball’s best contract values as comparable production costs $20+ million annually on the open market.
McLain makes $772K recovering from shoulder surgery that limited his 2024 season. His rookie campaign featured elite offensive production before the injury. Noelvi Marte ($771K) provides third base depth after serving a suspension.
| Position Group | Total Spending | Top Earner | Salary |
| Starting Pitchers | $42M | Brady Singer | $13M |
| Bullpen | $18M | Sam Moll | $1.2M |
| Infield | $28M | Ke’Bryan Hayes | $7M |
| Outfield | $12M | Will Benson | $1.7M |
| Catchers | $12.25M | Tyler Stephenson | $7M |
Rhett Lowder ($770K) and Graham Ashcraft ($1M) fill rotation spots at minimal cost. This young pitching depth allows Cincinnati to allocate resources elsewhere while maintaining competitive rotation quality.
Bullpen Spending and Relief Depth
Cincinnati allocated $18 million to their bullpen—15% of total payroll. Sam Moll leads at $1.2 million through arbitration while Alexis Díaz earned approximately $2 million as the closer.
The Reds declined Scott Barlow’s $6.5 million option, instead paying a buyout to create payroll flexibility. Brent Suter’s $3 million option faced similar scrutiny as Cincinnati evaluated every dollar spent during their constrained budget offseason.
Buck Farmer, Justin Wilson, and Tony Santillan combined for under $3 million providing middle relief depth. Cincinnati’s analytics department specializes in identifying undervalued relievers, converting them into productive arms at minimal expense.
FAQs
Who is Cincinnati Reds’ highest-paid player?
Brady Singer earns approximately $13 million projected through arbitration as Cincinnati’s highest-paid player for 2025 after arriving via trade from Kansas City.
What is Elly De La Cruz’s salary?
De La Cruz makes just $770K as a pre-arbitration player despite producing 25+ home runs and 60+ stolen bases, creating exceptional roster value.
How much do the Reds spend on starting pitching?
Cincinnati allocated $42 million to starting pitchers representing 35% of their $119 million payroll led by Singer, Greene, and Lodolo.
Why does Cincinnati have a mid-range payroll?
Cincinnati operates with financial constraints typical of small-market teams, ranking 23rd at $119 million while relying heavily on pre-arbitration talent for competitiveness.
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