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Cincinnati Reds: First priority this offseason is to extend Scooter Gennett

By Abby Caldwell

WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 17: Scooter Gennett #3 of the Cincinnati Reds and National League celebrates after a two-run home run in the ninth inning to tie the game against the American League during the 89th MLB All-Star Game, presented by Mastercard at Nationals Park on July 17, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 17: Scooter Gennett #3 of the Cincinnati Reds and National League celebrates after a two-run home run in the ninth inning to tie the game against the American League during the 89th MLB All-Star Game, presented by Mastercard at Nationals Park on July 17, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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In spite of their losing record this season, several of the Cincinnati Reds players still managed to have career-best seasons. Second baseman Scooter Gennett was certainly no exception and it’s time for the All-Star to receive a long-term deal.

Many Cincinnati Reds fans still like to recall the day in March 2017 when second baseman and Cincinnati-born Scooter Gennett was claimed off waivers from the Milwaukee Brewers. Since the transaction was made Gennett has been the Reds everyday second baseman and one of their most impressive players.

Even so, some fans still question Gennett’s future with the Reds, what with the impending arrival of top prospect Nick Senzel in Cincinnati. However, I daresay, that Scooter has more than proven that he is not ready to go anywhere and is deserving of a long-term deal with his hometown team.

Gennett has been absolutely outstanding in a Reds uniform for the past two seasons. Slashing .310/.357/.490 at the end of the 2018 season, Scooter is the only player on the Reds roster with a batting average over .300.

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    • In fact, he had the second highest batting average in the National League and the sixth highest batting average in all of Major League Baseball. Gennett finished 2018 with 81 runs scored, 23 home runs, 92 runs batted in, 30 doubles, and 3 triples.

    In addition to his outstanding batting statistics, Scooter is also something of a lightning rod for clutch hits. He had walk-off two-run home run against the Atlanta Braves back in April. There was also a tiny little tie-breaking run against the Milwaukee Brewers, his former team, in August which ended up winning the game. As well as, most notably, the game-tying 2-run home-run in the ninth inning of his first All-Star game.

    Scooter has also been known to have success against some of the toughest pitchers in the national league. He has base hits against the likes of Max Scherzer, Jacob deGrom, and Miles Mikolas. By any account, even considering the very occasional slump, Scooter is the best bat the Cincinnati Reds have at the plate.

    Gennett’s fielding abilities are nothing less than stellar when compared to other second basemen. His .983 fielding percentage across 142 games is ninth overall in MLB. Gennett’s 280 putouts is number one in baseball. He is also fourth overall in assists with 374, and first overall in double plays with 101. Scooter is unquestionably one of the best second basemen in Major League Baseball and worth holding on to.

    Scooter Gennett and a few other players on the Cincinnati Reds roster are eligible for arbitration this year. Taking his outstanding stats and the fact that Scooter is a fan favorite player into account it’s clear that the Reds front office needs to do what is necessary to keep Gennett around for a while.

    Next. Five bold predictions for the Reds offseason

    If Senzel would become ready for the big leagues this year, perhaps he could take over for the recently departed Brandon Dixon as a utility player for both the infield and the outfield. In my opinion, bringing Nick Senzel up to the Major Leagues should not come at the expense of one of the best all-around ballplayers Cincinnati has seen in years. It’s time to extend Scooter Gennett .

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