Arbitration raises could cost the Reds a lot of their 2027 budget

The Cincinnati Reds have 12 arbitration-eligible players heading into 2027, with projected salary increases totaling roughly $24 million according to MLB Trade Rumors. Elly De La Cruz is expected to receive the largest raise, jumping from $780,000 to $7.9 million, while other notable increases include Andrew Abbott ($4.5 million), JJ Bleday ($4.8 million), and Matt McLain ($4 million). The Reds will have over $63 million in salary coming off the books from expiring contracts and mutual options, meaning arbitration raises would consume about a third of that freed-up money if all players are retained.

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