Babyhead Jocketty: Payroll to remain 'about the same'

Reds beat writer Mark Sheldon has some early updates for us from the Winter Meetings, and it’s news that Reds fans should be happy about. That is, if it holds true by the time Opening Day rolls around in 2010.

I spoke with Reds GM Walt Jocketty this morning and here are the highlights:

* It appears the Reds will not be cutting payroll significantly for 2010 as previously speculated on some media outlets.

“I think it [the payroll] will be close to what it was last year,” Jocketty said.

So, not as good of news as if the Reds would actually go out and get someone and increase payroll (Lord knows that will never happen). But based on this, the Reds shouldn’t be any worse then they were last year, and if guys improve and the youngsters progress, who knows what kind of fun we could have.