Reds arbitration deadline: Injury-plagued starter, key relievers await hefty pay day

The MLB Winter Meetings is one of the biggest event of the offseason, but there are a handful of key dates still remaining before the 2024 season begins. One such date is the upcoming deadline for teams and players to exchange arbitration figures. The Cincinnati Reds have until January 9, 2025 to hash out any discrepancies and avoid an unfriendly trip to arbitration.

For those unfamiliar with the arbitration process, players who have more than three, but less than six, years of MLB service time are eligible to receive an increase in salary during the upcoming season. Most players go through this process three times before reaching free agency. On rare occasions, players receive Super Two status, but the Reds do not have any such players on their roster.

Reds arbitration deadline: Nick Lodolo is arbitration-eligible for the first time

One of the biggest names on the Reds roster who's up for arbitration this year is Nick Lodolo. This will be Lodolo's first trip through the process, and based on his injury-history, the lefty isn't expected to received a massive bump in pay.

According to MLB Trade Rumors, Lodolo is estimated to take home $2.2 million in 2025. Cot's Baseball Contracts has the southpaw penciled in at $2 million. Lodolo is coming off a season in which he made four separate trips to the injured list, but was still able to reach a career-high in innings pitched (115 ⅓).

Reds arbitration deadline: Alexis Díaz, Sam Moll, and Tyler Stephenson will receive a raise in 2025

Fellow pitcher Alexis Díaz will take his first turn through the arbitration process as well this offseason. The Reds' closer saw a drop in production last season, but still recorded 28 saves in 60 appearances out of the Cincinnati bullpen. Díaz is expected to make approximately $4.2 million per MLB Trade Rumors and $3.5 million according to Cot's Baseball Contracts.

Another reliever, Sam Moll is expected to take home a pay check worth north of $1 million next season. Tejay Antone is the only other hurler up for a raise next year, and MLB Trade Rumors presumes he'll collect $1.1 million.

Reds arbitration deadline: Tyler Stephenson & Jake Fraley are also in line for a bump in pay

Tyler Stephenson is arguably the most recognizable Reds' player who's up for arbtration this offseason. The Reds' backstop had one of the best seasons of his young career in 2024 and will likely take home over $5 million in 2025. The former first-round pick posted a 112 OPS+ last season and could be in line for a contract extension prior to Opening Day.

Santiago Espinal was in line for arbitration this offseason, but the Reds already came to terms on a one-year, $2.4 million deal back in November of 2024. Jake Fraley, following a difficult season in 2024, should take home somewhere in the neighborhood of $3 million next season.

In all, the Reds have six players who are arbitration eligible this offseason and the team is estimated to fork over about $15 million between them. The deadline to exchange figures is next Thursday.

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