Cincinnati Reds Avoid Arbitration, Reach Agreement with Tyler Stephenson
The Cincinnati Reds have reached a one-year agreement with catcher Tyler Stephenson, securing his services for the 2025 season and avoiding arbitration. The deal, valued at $4.925 million, represents a significant pay increase from Stephenson’s 2024 salary of $2.525 million.
Stephenson, a cornerstone of the Reds’ roster, had a productive 2024 season, playing in 138 games with a .258 batting average, .782 OPS, 19 home runs, and 66 RBIs. His defensive contributions were equally impressive, with 127 games caught, including 112 starts, and a career-high 1,001 innings behind the plate.
Since his MLB debut in 2020, the 27-year-old has established himself as a reliable presence both offensively and defensively, boasting a career .267 batting average with a .770 OPS and 50 home runs.
This agreement with Stephenson is part of the Reds’ broader strategy, as the team has successfully reached deals with all eight of its arbitration-eligible players, ensuring no hearings are needed in the coming weeks. The Reds aim to build on their promising 2024 campaign, where Stephenson’s performance played a pivotal role.
With this deal finalized, Cincinnati is setting its sights on spring training, which begins in February. The team will look to Stephenson to anchor the lineup and continue to grow as one of MLB’s premier catchers.
