Reds' options for Tyler Stephenson's backup dwindle following Gary Sánchez's new deal

The market for a backup catcher just got slimmer after Gary Sánchez agreed to a one-year deal with the Baltimore Orioles. Sáchez is the latest free agent catcher to have signed a new contract this offseason, and the Cincinnati Reds have yet to find a backup for Tyler Stephenson.

Sánchez's deal with the O's is worth a reported $8.5 million, and while Cincinnati was unlikely to pay that kind of money for backup, it's apparent that finding another backstop to pair alongside Stephenson will not be cheap.

Reds' options for Tyler Stephenson's backup dwindle following Gary Sánchez's new deal

Sánchez is just the latest catcher to come off the board. Travis d'Arnaud kicked things off by inking a two-year deal with the Los Angeles Angels, and since then Danny Jansen (Tampa Bay Rays), Jacob Stallings (Colorado Rockies), Austin Hedges (Cleveland Guardians), and Kyle Higashioka (Texas Rangers) have all signed free agent deals.

The market was not ripe with talent to begin with, but seeing as how the Reds' farm system is severely lacking catching talent, Cincinnati will have to dip into free agency or the trade market in order to upgrade the roster behind Stephenson. Players like Carson Kelly, Yasmani Grandal, and Yan Gomes are still available on the free agent market. Former Reds catchers Curt Casali and Tucker Barnhart are currently free agent as well.

The Reds are in this predicament after the team (rightly) chose not to exercise Luke Maile's $3.5 million club-option for the 2025 season. There's still a chance that the Reds will reunite with the northern Kentucky native, but Cincinnati may be looking for a backup with a better offensive profile.

While they're exploring the catching market, it may behoove the Reds' front office to look at an extension for their starting backstop as well. Stephenson is entering the second year of his arbitration window and will become a free agent himself after the 2026 season. Stephenson proved himself to be one of the top catchers in the game last season and should be rewarded for his efforts.

With the MLB Winter Meetings set to begin this week, perhaps the Reds will find their new backup catcher before leaving Dallas. While adding an outfielder and some extra arms for the bullpen are likely at the top of Nick Krall's wishlist, delaying the addition of another catcher could be problematic.

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