After the Cincinnati Reds’ 2025 season came to an abrupt end at the hands of the Los Angeles Dodgers, fan attention quickly turned toward the offseason. While major moves won’t happen until after the World Series, speculation is already swirling across Reds Country about which players will stay and which will depart once the offseason officially begins.
A few Reds are poised to hit free agency soon — most notably pitchers Nick Martinez and Zack Littell. It’s possible the team could attempt to re-sign one of them, but financial limitations will likely prevent both right-handers from returning in 2026.
Beyond free agency, the front office faces several looming decisions. Some players have contract options that must be addressed, while others could be non-tendered in the coming weeks. Cincinnati will certainly retain a portion of its current roster, but a few names probably shouldn’t be back next season. Which three Reds seem likely to return in 2026 — yet arguably shouldn’t be part of next year’s plans?
3 Reds players who’ll be back in 2026 but probably shouldn’t
Brent Suter, Reds pitcher
Brent Suter was a dependable option for Terry Francona throughout the early part of the 2025 season. His deal includes a $3 million club option for 2026, with a $250,000 buyout. The Reds faced a similar situation with Suter last winter and chose to renegotiate a new contract instead of simply picking up the option.
Nick Krall could take the same approach this offseason. It’s hard to justify spending $3 million on a middle reliever who, while versatile, hasn’t been particularly effective outside of low-leverage spots. Still, with Cincinnati’s shortage of left-handed bullpen arms, the team may consider bringing Suter back. His local roots could also factor into the Reds’ final decision — though letting him walk might be the more practical move.
Scott Barlow, Reds pitcher
Much like Brent Suter, Scott Barlow was a trusted arm for Terry Francona throughout the 2025 season. The right-hander carries a $6.5 million club option for 2026, with a $1 million buyout — a figure that might be tough to justify after his late-season decline.
Still, as with Suter’s situation, it wouldn’t be surprising if the Reds’ front office pursued a restructured deal to keep him at a lower cost. Barlow appeared to be a lock for that option after posting a 3.30 ERA through August, but his performance tailed off in September. Like Suter, he fits the mold of a dependable mid-tier reliever — not irreplaceable, but one the Reds may prefer to retain.
Santiago Espinal, Reds infielder
Santiago Espinal presents a tricky call for the Reds’ front office this offseason. His strong contact skills, defensive reliability, and versatility make him an ideal player for Terry Francona’s system — but his lack of offensive output limits his usefulness.
Had Matt McLain bounced back as many expected, re-signing Espinal for 2026 wouldn’t even be under discussion. However, McLain’s struggles may have Nick Krall and company rethinking their plans. While Espinal appears to be a likely non-tender candidate, it’s not hard to imagine Francona pushing to keep him on the roster next season.
Be the first to comment