3 early contract extensions the Reds should pursue

1. Jesse Winker, Reds outfielder

Jesse Winker should unequivocally be the Cincinnati Reds No. 1 choice when it comes to discussing a contract extension. Winker proved in 2020 that he could hit left-handed pitching, and the Reds starting left fielder has proven this season that he can carry the load offensively.

Though currently on the injured list, Winker is third in the league in OPS (.954), on-base percentage, and doubles (32). Winker has 22 home runs on the season. Winker’s 2021 season has seen him post the best numbers of his career and earn his first trip to the Midsummer Classic.

Signing Jesse Winker to a long-term extension is a no-brainer for the Reds front office. Whether they get the deal done prior to the completion of the 2021 season or over the winter, the bottom line is – it must get done.

Winker is under team control for another two seasons. The 28-year-old took signed a one-year/$3.15M contract prior to the 2021 season and you can bet through arbitration that his 2022 salary will likely double.

While I’d definitely stop short of putting Winker in the same class as Ronald Acuña Jr., Juan Soto, Kris Bryant, the Buffalo native is very deserving of a multi-year contract that pays him among the best at his position. His running mate Nick Castellanos signed a four-year/$64M contract in 2020, but that was as a free agent. Winker’s AAV shouldn’t match Castellanos’, but it’s in the ballpark.