Read an interesting piece by Daugherty which talked about the situation and their payroll I could not believe it.
Here is the already commited payroll for next year
Harang 12.5 million
Cordero 12 million
Arroyo 11 million
Taveras 4 millon
EE 4.75 million
Rhodes 2 million
Phillips 6.75 million
Lincoln 2.5 million
Weathers .4 million if the Reds dump his option
Hernandez 1 million if the Reds dump his option
Gonzalez .5 million if the Reds dump his option
And of course Baker 3.5 million
That is 61 million already committed to 8 players. They still have to pay for 17 more. Even at the major league minimum 65 million is already committed. If they pick up any option they either come close to 70 million or go over it which is really close to what they have now. There is not a lot of manuevering room especially in this economy. I really can't see Castellini having that deep of pockets. Considering the performances this year I can't see any team relieving the Reds of these contracts. 2010 will be a very long year.