ATLANTA – As the front office planned last summer and owner Bob Castellini guaranteed in October, the Reds will carry a franchise-record Opening Day payroll this season.
The Reds have a projected payroll of $133 million, according to figures compiled by USA Today. That would rank 14th in the Majors and ahead of the Milwaukee Brewers ($129 million) and Pittsburgh Pirates ($74 million) in the National League Central.
USA Today’s payroll figures don’t account for incentive clauses or money paid or received in trades. The Los Angeles Dodgers will send $7 million to the Reds in September as a part of the seven-player trade that was completed in December.