Cincinnati Reds should sign Adam Duvall to a contract extension

With Tucker Barnhart under contract through at least 2021, the Cincinnati Reds should turn their attention to Adam Duvall.

The Cincinnati Reds have shown that they are ready to complete the rebuild with the signing of catcher Tucker Barnhart to a contract extension. They signed him to a base contract of $16-million for four years. It also includes a $1,75-million signing bonus.

With Barnhart under contract, the Reds can look to the next player on their list to sign to a contract extension. The obvious choices are starting third baseman Eugenio Suarez and starting left fielder Adam Duvall. As the corner stones of the office behind first baseman Joey Votto, they are the next up for extension consideration.

Suarez went from the worst defensive third baseman in the National League in 2016 to among the best in 2017. He hit a career high 26 home runs in 2017. He also increased his walks from 51 to 84.

Duvall, meanwhile, was the Reds lone All-Star representative when the Reds hosted the game at Great American Ballpark. Duvall batted .249 with an OBP of .301. Those are both numbers better than his All-Star season.

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Of course, those are not the only two options for extensions. The Reds could also sign a pitcher to an extension. With Tony Cingrani traded away, the young Michael Lorenzen is the only pitcher that has any level of experience to garner an extension.

Adam Duvall is a more important part of the Cincinnati Reds offense than Eugenio Suarez because of his consistency.

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Neither Duvall, nor Suarez, is particularly consistent. However, year to year Duvall is more consistent. Much like former Red Jay Bruce, Duvall is streaky in season, but always comes out of his slumps.

The Reds also know what they will get from Duvall. He is a true slugger. Duvall also gets about fifty points of OBP from walks on top of his batting average.

Each of the last two seasons, Duvall has played 150 or more games. He has provided elite left field defense. He could have won a Gold Glove in 2016 and should this season.

In both 2016 and 2017 Duvall hit 31 or more home runs and drove in 99 or more runs. He did this while collecting more hits and total bases in 2017 than 2016. Duvall also walked just two fewer times in 2017.

Next: A look at the Reds first round draft options

Duvall is the sort of player that teams can build around. He works hard and gets results. That’s why the Reds should sign him to an extension.

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