Reds arbitration salaries could change how fans view the 2026 roster

Major League Baseball players with more than three, but fewer than six, years of service time are eligible to receive an increase in salary through the league's arbitration process. Thursday marked the last day teams and players could negotiate before heading to arbitration, and the Cincinnati Reds came to terms with several players ahead of the deadline.

The first domino to fall was Spencer Steer. Robert Murray of FanSided reported that the Reds' Gold Glove finalist will earn $4 million in 2026. Gordon Wittenmyer of the Cincinnati Enquirer chimed in with three more deals as the afternoon's events unfolded. Gavin Lux will take home $5.525 million, while TJ Friedl ($3.8 million) and Will Benson ($1.725 million) both avoided arbitration as well.

Spencer Steer, Gavin Lux, and TJ Friedl among the Reds players who avoided arbitration

The Reds were also able to settle contracts with Tony Santillan ($1.8 million), Brady Singer ($12.75 million), and Nick Lodolo ($4.725 million). Singer's number is obviously higher than what the Reds would prefer to pay — especially for their No. 4 starter — but appear to have saved some money on the deal for Santillan. MLB Trade Rumors assumed the right-hander was going to make $2.4 million in 2026. Lodolo's estimate was about in line with what most experts expected.

Unfortunately, the Reds did not come to terms with all their arbitration-eligible players. According to MLB insider Mark Feinsand, Tyler Stephenson, Matt McLain, and Graham Ashcraft did not find common ground with the Reds front office and will head to arbitration.

With the arbitration filing deadline now passed, Reds fans have a better idea of how much money Cincinnati's front office has to spend this offseason. The three players who didn't settle on Thursday will head to arbitration hearings in the coming weeks.