You'll Never Believe Who One Of The Highest-Paid Cincinnati Reds Is in 2022

The Cincinnati Reds have been dismantling their core this offseason, disappointing for a team that was right on the periphery of playoff contention in 2021. With the departures of Nick Castellanos (free agent), Jesse Winker, Eugenio Suarez, and Sonny Gray (all traded), it's left the Reds with a very bizarre occurrence in their salary structure. 

Reds 2022 Salaries:

1. Joey Votto ($25M)

2. Mike Moustakas ($16M)

3. Shogo Akiyama ($8M)

4. Luis Castillo ($7.5M) 

5. Tyler Mahle ($5.5M)

6. Ken Griffey Jr. ($3.59M).

Yes, the Reds' 6th-highest paid "player" this season is the same Ken Griffey Jr. who hasn't played for the Reds since 2008. 

After the Reds' recent offseason moves, one of the team's highest-paid players is Ken Griffey Jr.

Cincinnati is still paying deferrals ($3.59M) until 2024 — a part of that 9-year/$112.5M contract in 2000.

He hasn't played for the Reds since 2008. pic.twitter.com/NFlNDnLnBN

— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) March 15, 2022

The legendary Hall of Famer is 52 now. He signed a 9-year, $112M contract with the Reds in 2000, that calls for deferred payments running until 2024. 

Griffey Jr. spent 8 1/2 years in Cincinnati in the 2000s, hitting over 200 of his 630 career home runs there. 

Come to think of it, the way their lineup is looking, maybe the Reds should see if he's up for a few at-bats at DH. 

Photo Credit:  Jim Owens-USA TODAY Sports