Reds are quietly telling fans what comes next after Tyler Stephenson stalemate

Tyler Stephenson was one of two Cincinnati Reds players who failed to work out an agreement ahead of the arbitration filing deadline, and the two sides will now be headed to a hearing in the coming weeks. According to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com, Stephenson's representation filed at $6.8 million and the Reds countered at $6.55 million.

Haggling over $250,000 hardly seems worth an arbitration hearing, but they still have time to work out a deal before standing in front of an arbiter. It's also worth noting that the two sides could be working toward a long-term deal. The Reds and Jonathan India reached an impasse during arbitration negotiations back in 2024, and eventually settled on a two-year, $8.8 million deal.

The more likely scenario, however, is that the Reds and Stephenson are heading to an arbitration hearing. These situations can lead to a player feeling offended or slighted, and any hopes of a long-term agreement are oftentimes dashed. Stephenson is one year away from free agency, and while there've been hints of a contract extension in the past, that seems unlikely.

Reds-Tyler Stephenson stalemate suggests Cincy is ready to move forward

Frankly, this has been in the works for quite some time. If the Reds truly wanted to come to terms on a long-term contract with Stephenson, they should've stuck a deal two or three years ago. But inconsistent play and a compilation of injuries over the years have lessened the likelihood of an extension, and Jose Trevino's new deal last spring provided a measure of insurance for Cincinnati. The veteran backup is under contract through 2027 with an option for the 2028 season.

The Reds also appear to be putting a lot of faith in the development of their top prospect, Alfredo Duno. While some scouts don't see Duno sticking behind the plate, he showed tremendous progress in 2025, and many believe he could become a top-10 prospect by next season.

Trading Stephenson seems unlikely, but it is a possibility. The Reds could look to get something of value and save $6 million-plus by shopping their starting backstop. While Cincinnati has Trevino and Ben Rortvedt on the roster, removing Stephenson's bat from the lineup hardly seems like a wise decision considering the team's lack of offensive upside.

The Reds are obviously operating on a razor-thin budget this offseason, and every cent counts. Though fans are likely to be disappointed with the impending fallout of Stephenson's contract dispute, the future of the organization looks bright with Duno ready to breakout in 2026.