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MLB Franchise Notes: Reds' Castellini Says Team Not Rebuilding, Slashing Payroll

Reds President & CEO Bob Castellini said that reports the Reds have “started rebuilding and are looking to slash payroll are not true.” He added that the Reds "have been making moves to meet the ‘payroll challenges’ they face.” In Cincinnati, John Fay noted the Reds' payroll has “gone up significantly each of the last six years,” from $73.3M in ‘09 to $114.1M in ’14. Reds GM Walt Jocketty: "Despite what some people are writing or thinking, our payroll is increasing again this year" (CINCINNATI ENQUIRER, 12/21).

AHOY, MATEY! In Pittsburgh, Stephen Nesbitt wrote, "The Pirates' return to glory has brought more fans to the park, fans have brought more money, and the team’s ownership has shown willingness to spend that money.” The payroll has “increased each of the past five years,” from $44.1M in ‘10 to what is “for the first time,” projected to eclipse $90M in ’15. Pirates GM Neal Huntington said, “Our goal is to not be two-year wonders. We’ve set the goal from the day we got in here, the day we arrived in Pittsburgh, our goal was to be a consistent championship-caliber organization” (PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE, 12/22).

GAME OF THRONES: In K.C., Vahe Gregorian wrote the Royals’ “recent free-agent-spending spree” of approximately $55M overall is some $20M “more than their entire payroll” in ‘11. The franchise’s spending will “ramp up” the ’15 payroll about 20% to about $110M. That is “a statement in itself, of course, but the fresh perspective is warranted instead by the Royals’ mesmerizing revival and romp” to the ‘14 World Series. If team Owner David Glass “isn’t quite giving” GM Dayton Moore a "blank check, he certainly can’t be said to be scrimping, either" (K.C. STAR, 12/20).

SUNSHINE STATE OF THINGS: In Tampa, Ernest Hooper wrote Rays President of Baseball Operations Matt Silverman “adroitly struck the right chord Friday” after the St. Petersburg City Council declined to allow the franchise to look for stadium options in Hillsborough and Pinellas counties. Hooper: “This isn't the time to excoriate council members as short-sighted or Rays officials as arrogant. The team's potential exit won't come in a quick solution” (TAMPABAY.com, 12/21).

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