The Cincinnati Reds have loads of causes to really feel optimistic about Sal Stewart’s future after the younger slugger captured the 2026 Nationwide League Rookie of the Yr Award.
Nonetheless, Cincinnati isn’t speeding to safe its rising star with a long-term contract.
Reds president of baseball operations Nick Krall acknowledged Tuesday that the group hasn’t begun extension negotiations with Stewart’s representatives, regardless of the primary baseman’s historic debut season.
The feedback come simply months after Cincinnati signed All-Star pitcher Chase Burns to a $105 million extension, demonstrating the group’s willingness to take a position closely in its younger expertise.
Whether or not Stewart will obtain comparable therapy stays an open query.
Reds’ Nick Krall Addresses Sal Stewart Contract Extension
Stewart’s outstanding 2026 marketing campaign has strengthened his case for a profitable long-term deal.
The 22-year-old appeared in all 162 video games, batting .263 with 32 house runs, 112 RBIs and a .787 OPS.
He additionally earned his first All-Star choice and have become the primary Reds rookie to report at the least 30 house runs and 100 RBIs in a single season.
These accomplishments culminated in Stewart profitable the NL Rookie of the Yr Award on November 9, receiving 20 of the 30 first-place votes.
Nonetheless, that success hasn’t instantly translated into contract discussions.
In line with MLB.com’s Mark Sheldon, the Reds had not contacted Stewart’s agent, Dan Lozano, about an extension as of Tuesday.
Requested on the Normal Managers’ Conferences in Las Vegas whether or not discussions may start quickly, Krall provided a short response.
“Unsure proper now,” Krall stated.
For Reds followers weary of the workforce’s possession, this reply may sound considerably ominous.
That being stated, the reply doesn’t essentially point out reluctance to maintain Stewart in Cincinnati. The Reds nonetheless have a number of years of contractual management over their younger first baseman and aren’t dealing with a right away free-agent deadline.
Nonetheless, his Rookie of the Yr victory may make an eventual extension dearer.
Stewart has already established himself as considered one of Cincinnati’s most essential offensive gamers, and one other productive season would solely strengthen his negotiating place.
Sal Stewart Beforehand Expressed Curiosity in Staying With Reds
Though formal negotiations haven’t begun, Stewart has beforehand indicated that he would welcome a possibility to signal a long-term extension.
In a June interview with MLB.com, the younger infielder expressed curiosity in securing his future with Cincinnati.
Krall was additionally open to the chance on the time, though he acknowledged that the 2 sides hadn’t mentioned a deal.
“He might be in consideration,” Krall stated in June.
Since these feedback, Stewart has solely elevated his worth.
His 32 house runs put him alongside Corridor of Famer Frank Robinson as the one Reds rookies to succeed in the 30-homer mark, whereas his 112 RBIs established a franchise rookie report.
Cincinnati has additionally proven a willingness to barter early extensions with rising stars.
In July, the Reds signed Burns to a seven-year, $105 million contract, committing substantial cash to a pitcher who had but to succeed in arbitration eligibility.
In fact, Stewart’s state of affairs is completely different. His place, age, manufacturing, and remaining workforce management would all issue into the phrases of a possible settlement.
Krall acknowledged that Cincinnati was nonetheless figuring out its 2027 finances, with the membership looking for extra beginning pitching, catching assist and bullpen enhancements after ending the season with 75 wins.
These wants may affect how aggressively the group pursues one other main extension this winter.
For now, there’s little cause to imagine Stewart is sad with the Reds or that the group is unwilling to maintain him.
However after a Rookie of the Yr marketing campaign that established Stewart as a cornerstone of Cincinnati’s future, the query of when the Reds will decide to their younger star is simply turning into extra fascinating, and doubtlessly dearer.
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