CINCINNATI -- When Monday's Trade Deadline came and went without him being dealt away from the Reds, catcher Tyler Stephenson could immediately relax and felt the weight of uncertainty lift.
“I did sleep a lot better last night, that’s for sure," Stephenson said.
Stephenson wasn't the only one. So did his batterymate, starting pitcher Brady Singer, after he learned he also wasn't being moved.
"Once I got in the middle of yesterday, I started definitely stressing out and all that," Singer said. "It’s a lot, a trade in the middle of the year. Moving and all that. And my wife and kid are here with me too, so it’d be a lot to move. I’m happy I obviously didn’t have to move and I’m here competing with these guys.”
The Reds went on to take a 5-4 win over the A's at Great American Ball Park where the tying run – Elly De La Cruz – and the winning run – Sal Stewart – both scored on a pair of wild pitches in the bottom of the eighth inning.
“I’m happy Stevo stayed, that’s my guy," Stewart said. "I’m happy Brady stayed. Everyone knows that’s my guy. I’m happy with the group that we have, and I feel like we’re going to make a good run now.”
Stephenson, a 2015 first-round pick and the longest-tenured Red after debuting in 2020, was visibly emotional after Sunday's game. The 29-year-old, who hit a homer in his first big league at-bat, also hit one vs. the Pirates in the eighth inning of a 10-2 win while wondering if that was also his last ever at-bat for Cincinnati.
Trade rumors were especially prevalent that Stephenson and Singer, free agents at season's end, could be moved to a contender as a rental.
However, the market for them and three other Reds with expiring contracts — third baseman Eugenio Suárez and relievers Brock Burke and Pierce Johnson — wasn't strong with offers.
Only lefty slugger Nathaniel Lowe and left-handed reliever Caleb Ferguson were traded on Monday. Manager Terry Francona spoke to both Stephenson and Singer on Monday after the Deadline expired.
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"It was a very stressful kind of day yesterday," Stephenson said. "I kind of had my phone on me at all times. I hung out with the fam and then got a call from Tito at like 6:05 and I was like, ‘Oh boy.’ He just said nothing was happening. After that, it was a big sigh of relief. I’m just happy to be here and be a part of this organization and team.”
Both Singer and Stephenson had performed well lately amid uncertainty.
“I think both of them have done a really good job of locking it in anyway but I do think there’s a segment of this that people either don’t care enough about or that we have to respect," Francona said. "And I do, because I’ve been through it. You’re not just talking about somebody changing teams. You’re upsetting their life. It’s their children. It’s their wives. It’s their schools. Yeah, players get treated good. They make a lot of money, but it is also their life and it’s real.”
Singer, who turned 30 on Tuesday, had a quality start with three runs and five hits allowed over six innings in a no-decision. He walked three and struck out six while overcoming falling behind, 3-0, in the top of the fifth inning. Cincinnati battled back with three runs in the bottom of the fifth, including an Elly De La Cruz two-run single.
While fans likely came away perplexed that more deals weren't made by Cincinnati, teammates weren't upset.
"Keeping guys like Brady and Stevo, those are the types of guys you want in your clubhouse. They’re two of our leaders," said closer Emilio Pagán, who notched his 12th save. "They go about everything the right way. They’re true pros and they’re huge assets on the field. To keep those guys and the rest of the guys when you’re trying to build something, to me means more than whatever we’re going to get in return.”
It's possible that Singer, who has a 3.45 ERA over his last 11 starts, could remain beyond 2026 if the Reds make a qualifying offer.
“I don’t know," Singer replied when asked about it. "I’m here today. I’m just going to be where I am today and went out there and pitched. I’ll worry about tomorrow when it comes.”
The 54-58 Reds have slim chances of making the playoffs with five teams to pass in the National League Wild Card standings. But they're also 11-6 since the All-Star break and have won nine of their last 13 games.
“I’ve been saying it all year. We can go on a run," Pagán said. "We can put together a lot of wins in a row and have a meaningful stretch where we’re right back in this thing and have a chance to play playoff baseball.”