Tyler Stephenson, Brady Singer and Brock Burke are free agents, giving the Reds three roster decisions as the offseason begins. They can re-sign with Cincinnati during the exclusive negotiating window, but become eligible to sign elsewhere Nov. 2. The Reds also face option and qualifying-offer deadlines that could expand the number of potential departures.

By the Numbers
  • Stephenson hit .272/.344/.460 over his final 101 games after batting .187/.287/.307 in his first 61.
  • Burke appeared in 77 games, recording a 2.30 ERA across 74⅓ innings, with two saves.
  • Singer made 30-plus starts for the third straight season, but led the National League with 15 losses and posted a 5.85 ERA.
  • Singer’s ERA was 8.39 over 10 starts in the final two months.
Yes, But

The three free agents leave Cincinnati with different considerations: Stephenson could draw interest in a thin catcher market, and Burke is coming off a strong season. Singer’s injury-plagued year and late-season struggles make his outlook less certain.

State of Play
  • Players can sign with teams other than their former club beginning Nov. 2.
  • The Reds also must decide on 2027 options for closer Emilio Pagán, reliever Pierce Johnson and infielder Eugenio Suárez by Nov. 2.
  • Teams must make qualifying-offer decisions by 5 p.m. ET that day.
What’s Next

A possible lockout in early December could push free agency and roster-building into a compressed window, potentially overlapping with spring training. That uncertainty may encourage teams to make moves early—or cause them to proceed cautiously.

Bottom Line

Cincinnati’s offseason could bring more than three departures: decisions on three player options will help determine how much of the roster remains intact before a potentially disrupted winter.