Tyler Stephenson’s run as the Reds’ top catcher may be nearing its end.
With the August 3 trade deadline approaching, Cincinnati is increasingly expected to move players on expiring contracts, and Stephenson fits that bill. He’s under team control through the 2026 season, but the way the market is shaping up, catchers are drawing real attention and Stephenson’s name belongs near the center of it.
That interest makes sense. Since July 1, Stephenson has been swinging a hot bat, hitting .333/.349/.548 with a 139 wRC+. His work behind the plate has also continued to draw strong defensive grades, and he’s been taking advantage of the new ABS system.
Not every catcher is available. Ryan Jeffers of the Minnesota Twins and Hunter Goodman of the Colorado Rockies are said to be off limits. But there are still teams around the league that could be hunting for help behind the dish, and three potential deals stand out as the kind of packages that could get Cincinnati’s attention.
The Yankees are one obvious fit. New York has been searching for an upgrade at catcher, and Austin Wells has struggled badly this season, posting a .163/.263/.261 line. Stephenson would give the Bronx Bombers a more reliable option as they try to climb the AL East and get back to the World Series.
A deal with New York would likely center on Kyle Carr and Jace Avina. Carr is in Triple-A with a 4.37 ERA and a 26.6% strikeout rate across 16 appearances. Avina has broken out at Double-A Somerset, where the 23-year-old is hitting .264/.349/.524 with 17 home runs and a 131 wRC+.
Both players are Rule 5 eligible this winter, which could make them appealing trade chips for the Yankees if the alternative is protecting them on the 40-man roster. Cincinnati might need to add a reliever such as Brock Burke to make the structure work.
Another possibility sends Stephenson to Los Angeles. The Dodgers have Will Smith, but he’s on the injured list, and there’s uncertainty about whether he’ll return this season. Dalton Rushing has also had an uneven second year, and his name has come up more for his off-the-wall antics than for steady production.
For Cincinnati, the attraction is James Tibbs III. The Reds have gone years without really solving their outfield issue, and Tibbs is one of the better young bats in the Dodgers’ system. That said, Los Angeles has a surplus of outfield talent, with five other prospects ranked ahead of him.
If the Dodgers want a short-term answer, Stephenson could fill that role. But if Cincinnati pushes hard for Tibbs, the price likely climbs beyond Stephenson alone. José Franco, a controllable reliever, could be enough to push the Dodgers toward a deal, though it may take a little more if Tibbs is the target they value most.
Boston also belongs in the conversation. The Red Sox have turned heads by winning 15 straight games and re-entering the AL Wild Card race. They’re reportedly looking for a catcher, and Stephenson would make a clean fit.
A return from Boston could include Eduardo Rivera. The 6-foot-7 left-hander brings a mid-90s fastball that has touched 98 mph, along with a wipeout slider and a changeup.
Rivera is in Triple-A now, but he already made his MLB debut earlier this year. He’s been a starter in the minors, though he’s viewed more as a reliever at the big-league level.
If Cincinnati is serious about moving relievers like Brock Burke, Caleb Ferguson, and maybe even Sam Moll at the deadline, adding a serviceable southpaw back in a Stephenson deal would make plenty of sense.
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