Cincinnati Reds: 3 players who could sign Fernando Tatis-like extension

Who will be the next Reds player to sign a massive contract extension?

The San Diego Padres and Cincinnati Reds have taken opposite approaches to the offseason. The Padres have spent huge amounts of money with an eye toward taking the National League crown away from the Los Angeles Dodgers. While the Reds haven’t spent much money this offseason. who could be the next player to sign a massive extension?

In writing this, I’m well aware of the unlikelihood of Cincinnati doling out a massive contract like we saw Fernando Tatis Jr. sign last night. FanSided’s Robert Murray broke the news last night that best young player in baseball had agreed to a 14-year extension worth $340M. However, once Joey Votto’s contract is off the books, the Reds front office will have more money to play with.

Votto signed the largest contract in Cincinnati Reds history. After initially agreeing to terms on a three-year/$38M following his MVP season in 2010, the six-time All-Star was locked up for the foreseeable future with a 10-year/$225M contract extension that doesn’t expire until after the 2024 season. The deal actually included the two year still remaining on his previous deal as well.

So, the Reds, in essence, signed Votto to a 12-year/$251M contract that, at the time, was the longest guaranteed contract in the Major League Baseball history. Will the Reds go down that road again? Possibly, but after seeing the lack of production from Votto over the past few years, I’m sure ownership would be gun-shy about dishing out that kind of money ever again.

While the idea of spending massive amounts of money is a foreign concept to some Reds fans, the team does have a history of spending big on its own, homegrown talent. Jay Bruce and Brandon Phillips agreed to longterm deals while with the team, and Eugenio Suárez is locked up thorough 2024. Who’ll be the next great Cincinnati Reds player to sign a massive contract extension?