Reds Beat: Reds Avoid Arbitration With Eight, Expected to Go To Hearings With Tyler Stephenson, Graham Ashcraft

CINCINNATI — The Reds came to terms with eight of their 10 arbitration-eligible players before Thursday night’s 8 p.m. ET deadline and it leaves only two players due to go to hearing to make their case for their 2026 salary.

The team announced that outfielder Spencer Steer, infielder/outfielder Gavin Lux, center fielder TJ Friedl, outfielder Will Benson and pitchers Nick Lodolo, Brady Singer and reliever Tony Santillan all came to terms with the club for next season.

Reliever Graham Ashcraft and catcher Tyler Stephenson did not come to terms and are expected to head to arbitration hearings, scheduled between Jan. 26-Feb. 13. Per Mark Sheldon of MLB.com, Stephenson filed at $6.8 million while the club countered with $6.55 million. Ashcraft asked for $1.75 million while the team offered $1.25 million.

The 29-year-old Stephenson is considered one of the leaders in the Cincinnati clubhouse, coming off a season in which he slashed .231/.316/.421 with 13 homers and 50 RBIs in 88 games. Ashcraft, who turns 28 on Feb. 11, became a key versatile part of the Reds bullpen in 2025, appearing in 62 games with an 8-5 record and a 3.99 ERA and a 1.423 WHIP.

The biggest payout Thursday went to pitcher Singer, who will earn $12.75 million while Lodolo earned $4.725 million for 2026, up from $1.975 million last season. Santillan settled at $1.8 million for 2026.

According to Sheldon, the club agreed to a $4 million contract with Steer, who returned from 2024 shoulder surgery to belt 21 home runs with 75 RBIs in 146 games in 2025, when he earned $750,000.

The biggest position player payout went to Lux, who will earn $5.525 million in ’26. Lux, traded to the Reds in Jan. 2025, batted .269 with a .724 OPS, five homers and 53 RBIs in 140 games. He earned a pay raise of just over $2 million, spending time in left field and second base as well as the designated hitter. Lux can become a free agent after this season.

In his first year eligible for arbitration, Friedl agreed to terms on a $3.8 million deal after hitting .261 with a .742 OPS, 14 homers and 53 RBIs in 152 games. He made $750,000 last season. Benson will earn $1.725 million in his first year of eligibility. He batted .226 with a .708 OPS, 12 homers and 41 RBIs in 90 games.

Matt McLain, who debuted with a bang in 2023, came to terms on a $2.3 million contract after missing all of 2024 and suffering through a subpar 2025, when he earned $742,000. He batted just .220 with a .643 OPS, 15 homers and 50 RBIs over 147 games.