Key Reds catcher and reliever head to salary arbitration.
The Cincinnati Reds were unable to come to terms with a pair of players before Friday's arbitration deadline, and now both sides will head to hearings to settle on 2026 salaries.
Catcher Tyler Stephenson filed at $6.8 million while the Reds countered at $6.55 million, a difference of just $250,000.
Reliever Graham Ashcraft filed at $1.75 million with Cincinnati offering $1.25 million, leaving a $500,000 gap between the two sides.
Coming off an 83-79 season that saw them reach the playoffs for the first time in a full year since 2013, the Reds have some decisions to make.
They grabbed a Wild Card spot before getting swept by the Los Angeles Dodgers, and both Stephenson and Ashcraft played a part in getting there.
Stephenson Battled Injuries But Still Produced
It wasn't a full season for Stephenson, who only appeared in 89 games due to injuries.
When he was on the field though, the 29-year-old showed he can still swing it.
He hit .231 with 13 home runs and 50 RBI, good for a .737 OPS, and those 13 long balls were actually a career-high despite the limited action.
Behind the plate, Stephenson gave the pitching staff what it needed as his defense stayed steady and he handled the young arms well throughout the year.
With free agency coming after 2026, this hearing matters for both sides.
The $250,000 gap isn't huge, so there's a real chance they work something out before things get contentious.
Ashcraft Found a Home in the Bullpen
After bouncing around the rotation with mixed results over the past few seasons, Ashcraft finally figured it out once the Reds moved him to relief full-time.
The 27-year-old right-hander made 62 appearances and posted a 3.99 ERA with 64 punchouts while becoming a trusted option in the middle innings.
The key was his slider, which turned into an out pitch once he didn't have to pace himself for five or six innings.
He also solved his home run problem by keeping the ball on the ground, ranking in the 97th percentile for ground ball rate and 94th for barrel percentage.
At $1.75 million, he's looking like a bargain for a guy who can give you multiple innings and get outs when it counts.
What's Next for Cincinnati?
Stephenson's health is the big question mark, but when he's right, there aren't many catchers in the league who can match his offensive upside.
The Reds just need him to stay on the field, and if he does, that $6.8 million ask looks more than fair heading into a contract year.
Ashcraft showed he belongs after reinventing himself as a reliever.
Playoff teams need arms they can count on in the sixth and seventh innings, and he proved he can be that guy.
Both players should have roles in 2026 as the Reds try to build on their postseason appearance, and with the gaps in both cases being relatively small, don't be surprised if deals get done before the hearings actually happen.