3 Reds who should be offered extensions after Matt McLain rejected new contract

There is bound to be some disappointment felt throughout Reds Country after hearing that second baseman Matt McLain rejected Cincinnati's framework for a contract extension shortly before the 2025 season got underway.

Though McLain is said to still be open to a new deal with the Reds, Cincinnati would have preferred to have their star infielder under contract for the foreseeable future. McLain and Elly De La Cruz are two of the Reds top players, and both are seen as cornerstones of the future. But each season that passes without one, or both, under a long-term deal undoubtedly increases the anxiety among the Reds fanbase.

But McLain and De La Cruz aren't the only players Cincinnati considers to be part of their core, meaning the Reds have other players who could (and should) be offered long-term deals. Which three players should the Reds prioritize after McLain rejected their long-term offer?

3 Reds who should be offered extensions after Matt McLain rejected new contract

Brady Singer, Reds pitcher

This might seem to be a surprise name, but after watching Singer's first two starts, he's proven to be more than just an adequate starting pitcher. Some defensive miscues from Saturday's game against the Milwaukee Brewers are going to make Singer's numbers look a bit inflated, but his repertoire is quite impressive.

One thing that makes Singer so attractive as a long-term solution is his durability. Since 2021, Singer has averaged 28 starts and 155 innings pitched. Reds fans know that the best ability is avail-ability. With the price of starting pitching skyrocketing, having a dependable No. 3 starter under contract for the next several seasons would be a wise investment.

Christian Encarnacion-Strand, Reds first baseman

A lost year for Encarnacion-Strand in 2024 caused some fans throughout Cincinnati to sour on the 25-year-old first baseman. But for all those fans who wanted to see the Reds add some pop to the lineup, having Encarnacion-Strand back in the saddle should help in that regard.

Encarnacion-Strand has also excelled defensively during the early-going in 2025. A third baseman by trade, Encarnacion-Strand has made the switch to first base and looks to have Gold Glove potential. Encarnacion-Strand could easily hit 40-plus homers with half his games played at Great American Ball Park, and would give the Reds a Pete Alonso-type player to build around.

Andrew Abbott, Reds pitcher

Bradon Pfaadt's five-year, $45 million deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks gives Cincinnati a pretty clear blueprint for the type of contract Abbott would be looking for. Both Abbott and Pfaadt have a career 3.3 fWAR and are key middle-of-the-rotation arms for their respective teams.

This is the type of deal that should intrigue the Reds' front office and ownership. It would be a low-risk deal that — if modeled after Pfaadt's — would give the Reds a chance to cut bait before the contract got too expensive. Pfaadt's contract contains a $21 million club-option for 2031 and a $25 million mutual option.

Currently, the only two Reds players who are under contract beyond the 2026 season are Hunter Greene and Jose Trevino. Cincinnati needs to up the ante and get at least one more player under contract for the next several seasons.

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