Reds save big in hopes of pursuing Kyle Schwarber in free agency

The Reds, having this payroll flexibility, may give them one shot at signing a big-name free agent, which could come in the form of Kyle Schwarber. Having ties to Cincinnati, growing up in Middletown, which is roughly an hour north of the city, MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand links the Reds as a possible suitor to sign Schwarber this offseason.

The Reds must spend these savings and all other funds wisely 

Limiting themselves to how much they will spend affects how competitive the Reds roster will be come next season. The threat of the looming labor strike next offseason could be the reason for their hesitation to up payroll, which currently sits north of $58M, before adjusting for the changes, according to Spotrac. 

Coming off a career year, where he’ likely finish as the runner-up in the MVP voting to Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani, Schwarber led the National League in home runs (56, a career high), led MLB in RBI (132, another career high) and played in all 162 games, one of just five players to do so in 2025.

With his AAV (Average Annual Value) being between $25M-$27M, and the Reds saving $21.5M by declining the options of Hays, Barlow, and Suter, finding the extra $7M to sign Schwarber shouldn't be a problem. Adding Schwarber would be adding the veteran leader who's won it all before (2016 Chicago Cubs). 

Pairing Schwarber with their young core could be what gets Cincinnati over the hump next season.